High salaries, remote work, flexible hours, the digitalisation of companies, high demand in the market, a variety of specialisations… Factors that make the IT market very attractive. Many courses, bootcamps, and specialised university programmes have emerged to meet the growing demand for Product Design.
Junior candidates are now entering the field with a higher level of knowledge and skills. A portfolio is an absolute must-have, yet companies are often reluctant to open positions for those without experience.
This situation also affects UX/UI Design, which involves designing user experiences and digital product interfaces.
💻 Who is a UX Designer and what skills do they need?
A UX Designer is responsible for designing user experiences. This person ensures that a digital product is created to be easy to use, enjoyable, and satisfying.
This role is very broad—UX Designers should be able to conduct target audience research, create personas, and user journey maps, and design clear communications or preliminary wireframes for apps or websites.
A UX Designer actively participates in the design process. They should have high empathy to understand users' needs and frustrations. Notably, some companies combine both aspects of design into one role, seeking UX/UI Designers. In this case, the individual should also be able to create aesthetically pleasing, functional products that meet digital requirements.
⭐️ Who is a Junior UX Designer?
A Junior UX Designer is someone who has some experience, though not necessarily commercial. They possess theoretical knowledge in user experience design and have at least one project, perhaps from university or a completed course. This demonstrates that their knowledge isn't purely theoretical but has been applied in practice.
Depending on the organisation, a Junior UX Designer is expected to have around one year of commercial experience. However, some organisations do not require this at all. Such individuals should have basic UX/UI Design skills and a clear understanding of the design process.
👌🏻 What Skills should a UX/UI Design Intern have?
Interns are not expected to have commercial experience, while Junior UX/UI Designers are expected to have approximately a year of commercial experience (in any capacity). The responsibilities and expectations for these roles differ. An internship is a time to learn and make mistakes, while a Junior Designer has specific tasks and expectations to meet.
👀 What is the job market like for UX Designers?
The IT sector has become very popular, partly due to the visible salaries advertised online. It’s essential to remember that the very high salaries are for senior roles, not junior ones. Indeed, the IT sector needs more people due to the increasing number of projects and digital companies. It still appears to be a very receptive market.
The popularity of UX is partly due to its seemingly low entry barrier, especially compared to other specialisations. Experience design seems straightforward, especially compared to coding. Unfortunately, this is not true. UX Design is a combination of many fields — design, psychology, teamwork, and requires a technological perspective.
Both hard and soft skills are crucial. UX Designers possess a vast array of competencies, which can become a barrier for those initially enthusiastic about learning.
🪄 Which fields make it easiest to transition to UX Design?
It’s relatively easy to transition into UX Design from design roles. Typically, these fields include architecture, interior design, or graphic design. While these disciplines differ significantly in hard skills and context, the soft mechanisms remain similar, such as workflow, client interactions, or project management.
✋ Why is it difficult to find a job as a Designer?
One reason is the large number of high-quality candidates. Previously, to switch to UX, it was enough to have skills in graphics. Today, obtaining basic knowledge in the field is very easy—the internet is rich with course and bootcamp offerings, each enrolling thousands of interested individuals.
When looking for a Junior UX, employers focus on their understanding of the basics. It's crucial to master creating simple flows independently. This is a fundamental skill that allows entry into and work on a project.
🤓 What is the recruitment process for a Junior UX Designer?
Recruitment processes vary between organisations. For internship applications, the first step is usually filling out a form explaining your interest in the company. A portfolio must be attached, but it does not need to contain commercial projects. "Drawer" projects are acceptable. These help quickly assess whether a candidate has design potential.
If the portfolio passes the initial “recruitment sieve,” recruiters will return to the general application for a deeper review. Often, there’s also a test task to verify knowledge of UX processes, such as through application use-case examples.
The final step is usually a job interview, often in English.
For junior roles, the first step (pre-stage) involves portfolio analysis. The second stage (the actual recruitment process) is typically a screening interview with a recruiter, often accompanied by a Senior UX Designer. The interview covers the design process—similar to the internship stage—but the expectations for responses are higher.
The third stage involves a detailed portfolio review with the recruitment team, often in English. Sometimes, there is an additional verification stage, such as a test task.
🤨 What questions are asked in a UX Designer interview?
Common questions include those about professional experience and education, the ideal design process, from A to Z. Questions about teamwork are also frequent.
Junior candidates are not expected to have very high technical skills, but soft skills (teamwork, communication, organisation) are crucial.
Popular questions involve the biggest project challenge (a university project is also a good example), sometimes questions about strengths. There is also a language skills check at the required level.
🎨 How to create a strong UX Portfolio?
A UX portfolio should contain at least two projects to demonstrate your ability to apply your skills in different contexts. A portfolio is a test of storytelling and task reporting.
A UX portfolio should include user interviews, user flow, and key stages in the UX process. It’s beneficial to include examples of outcomes, such as screenshots from Miro, or links to Figma, to demonstrate deliverables from each stage. It can also include a research scenario.
A common mistake is failing to apply findings from the research phase to the interface. If you’ve obtained great insights in the initial phase, make sure to implement them in your wireframes. It’s important to show the ability to practically apply what you’ve discovered during research.
🙌 What format should a UX Portfolio take?
First and foremost, a portfolio should be clear and easy to navigate. Many people use Figma or Behance, though these are very time-consuming tools. Creating an aesthetic and functional project on these platforms isn’t easy—it's a common trap for those with a weaker visual sense. A PDF format is also acceptable but can be challenging to execute well.
There are sites that help create UX portfolios (UXfolio). Some of these are free, while others are relatively inexpensive. Such a subscription usually costs a few dollars. Their big advantage is that they help organise projects.
🪞 Do UX Portfolios look the same when using such tools?
Despite the project organisation, you can still add variety with different screens of your work or photos. Importantly, at the early stage of a UX career, a portfolio doesn’t need to be heavily customised.
Remember, a portfolio is the first point where you design the user experience for the recruiter.
🔥 What will help you stand out during the recruitment process for a Junior UX Designer role?
Familiarity with relevant tools and basic techniques mentioned in the job description. These include canvases related to personas or business models. Key topics to master include creating user flows, user journey maps, value proposition canvas. In the solution definition phase, key skills include workshop techniques, user stories, wireframing, and UI mockups.
Design software you should be familiar with includes Figma and Adobe XD. Previously, there was a strong emphasis on tools like Sketch, Adobe InDesign programs (additionally, e.g., Photoshop), or After Effects.
Currently, Figma is more popular, though some companies still require knowledge of tools like Sketch, Axure, or Jira. It’s also worth knowing how to use online boards such as Miro or Mural.
👾 Where to gain experience if you can’t find a job as a UX Designer?
There are various ways to gain junior-level commercial experience. One relatively simple way is to work with NGOs (Non-Government Organisations), which do not operate for profit.
Participating in hackathons (available online and in person) also offers great opportunities. These events are organised by large companies, often with the goal of developing technological solutions. A UX Designer’s contribution is highly valued, and these events provide a portfolio piece or even a recommendation.
Another opportunity is to join online projects, which are abundant in Facebook groups or on LinkedIn. Being a part of an online project allows you to gain experience, join a team, and showcase your involvement.
🔑 Key Takeaways for Finding a Job as a Junior UX Designer
Breaking into UX Design requires understanding the diverse and competitive landscape. Here are the key strategies:
- Build a robust portfolio: Include at least two projects showcasing your UX process and outcomes.
- Develop core skills: Gain proficiency in essential tools like Figma, Adobe XD, and relevant UX methodologies.
- Seek practical dxperience: Engage in projects through NGOs, hackathons, or online collaborations to build experience.
- Tailor your approach: Adapt your portfolio and skills to match job descriptions and company expectations.
- Demonstrate soft skills: Highlight teamwork, communication, and organisational abilities during interviews.
By focusing on these areas, you'll position yourself effectively for opportunities in the competitive UX job market.
