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Bring a 30-60-90 Plan to Your UX Interview
Why being intentional in your UX job search changes everything
There’s a phase many designers go through—especially after a layoff—where the strategy feels obvious:
Apply everywhere. Something will work.
Jonathan did exactly that.
After being laid off from a UX leadership role, he found himself applying to dozens of jobs every week… and getting almost nowhere.
But what changed next wasn’t just his strategy—it was how he thought about his entire career.
The Real Problem: Lack of Direction (Not Lack of Effort)
Jonathan wasn’t lazy. Far from it.
He had 20 years of experience in UX strategy and leadership, but when it came to job searching, he hit a wall:
- He didn’t know how to position himself
- He wasn’t sure how to talk about his strengths
- He felt stuck between roles (strategy, research, design)
- And most importantly, he had never clearly defined what he actually wanted
As he admitted:
He had spent years jumping from opportunity to opportunity… without asking what kind of company or role was truly right for him.
That lack of clarity made everything harder.
Why DIY-ing His UX Job Search Wasn’t Working
Like many designers, Jonathan tried to figure it out on his own.
But here’s the reality:
When you’re working alone, it’s hard to:
- Stay objective
- Get meaningful feedback
- Move fast without overthinking
He kept revisiting the same things:
- Resume tweaks
- Portfolio edits
- Messaging changes
But nothing really moved the needle.
The Turning Point: Structure, Strategy, and Feedback
Things shifted when Jonathan stopped guessing and started following a structured process.
One of the biggest realizations?
The order in which you do things in your job search actually matters.
Instead of jumping straight into applications, he first focused on:
- Clarifying his direction
- Defining what kind of roles he wanted
- Understanding how to position himself
That foundational work changed everything.
From “Apply Everywhere” to Intentional Targeting
Before:
- 50+ applications per week
- Generic positioning
- Low response rate
After:
- ~5 highly targeted applications
- Tailored messaging
- Better conversations and traction
And the results?
- Multiple interview processes (2nd, 3rd, even 4th rounds)
- Recruiters reaching out directly via LinkedIn
- Potential offers on the table
That’s the difference between activity and strategy.
Niching Down Changed Everything
One of Jonathan’s biggest mindset shifts was realizing:
You don’t need to be everything to everyone.
Instead of saying:
“I’ve done research… design… strategy…”
He learned to:
- Focus on transferable value
- Position his UX thinking and impact
- Align his experience with future goals
This clarity made it easier for hiring teams to understand:
- Where he fits
- What he brings
- Why he matters
The “Ugly First Draft” Mindset (That Actually Works)
Jonathan shared something refreshingly honest:
“My first five ideas are going to be terrible no matter what.”
And that’s exactly what helped him move forward.
Instead of chasing perfection, he:
- Put the work out early
- Got feedback
- Iterated quickly
This is classic UX thinking—but applied to your career.
Treat Your UX Job Search Like a Product
This is where things really clicked.
Jonathan stopped treating his job search like a checklist and started treating it like a system:
- Test → Learn → Improve
- Iterate → Refine → Repeat
Every application became a learning loop, not a one-shot attempt.
The Power of Peer Feedback (and Why It Matters)
One of the biggest shifts?
Getting feedback from peers and mentors.
Because when you’re alone:
- You overthink
- You miss blind spots
- You lose perspective
But with feedback:
- You see your work objectively
- You gain confidence through clarity
- You improve faster
Jonathan described this as invaluable for his growth.
Confidence Comes After Action (Not Before)
This part hits hard for many designers.
Jonathan admitted that even with years of experience:
Talking about himself felt uncomfortable.
But over time, something changed:
- He understood his impact better
- He practiced articulating his work
- He gained clarity through repetition
And slowly…
He felt less unsure—and more confident.
Because confidence isn’t something you wait for.
It’s something you build.
Portfolio Strategy: Website vs. PDF Deck
One of the most practical takeaways from his journey:
Your portfolio website is NOT your main selling tool
Jonathan prioritized:
1. Portfolio PDF / Deck
- Tailored for each role
- Sent to recruiters
- Deep storytelling
- Focused and strategic
2. Portfolio Website
- Lightweight
- Simplified case studies
- Just enough to spark interest
He even reduced content on the website because:
Too much detail was causing people’s “eyes to glaze over.”
Tailoring Your Portfolio Doesn’t Mean Starting from Scratch
This is where many designers get overwhelmed.
But Jonathan kept it simple:
- 90% of his portfolio stayed the same
- Only ~10% was customized per role
Examples:
- Removing irrelevant projects
- Highlighting specific aspects of a case study
- Tweaking intro messaging
Small changes. Big impact.
Fewer Projects, Better Depth
Another interesting shift:
He reduced his portfolio to just 3 strong case studies.
Before:
- 6–8 projects
- Surface-level storytelling
After:
- 3 well-crafted, in-depth case studies
- Clear thinking and narrative
And that made his work far more compelling.
Two Versions of Your Resume (Critical Today)
Jonathan’s approach aligns with modern hiring realities:
1. ATS-Friendly Resume
- Optimized for keywords
- Structured for systems
2. Human-Friendly Resume
- Clear storytelling
- Easy to read
- Impact-driven
Because getting seen and getting hired are two different problems.
How to Stay Objective About Your Work
Jonathan highlighted something many designers struggle with:
It’s easy to talk about clients. Hard to talk about yourself.
What helped:
- Breaking down decisions
- Reflecting on impact
- Practicing storytelling
This made his work feel more real—and more valuable.
Fight Imposter Syndrome with a “Wins Lens”
Even experienced designers feel it.
The trick isn’t eliminating doubt—it’s managing it.
Jonathan leaned on:
- Feedback from others
- Real interview progress
- Evidence of improvement
A simple habit you can adopt:
👉 Keep a log of wins
Even small ones.
Because your brain tends to forget them.
Walking Into Interviews with a 30-60-90 Day Plan
This is where you instantly stand out.
Instead of just answering questions, Jonathan came prepared with a plan.
First 30 Days — Learn
- Understand product, team, and users
- Review workflows and research
- Identify gaps
Next 60 Days — Contribute
- Start delivering improvements
- Collaborate with the team
- Validate ideas
Next 90 Days — Lead
- Own initiatives
- Improve processes
- Drive impact
This shifts perception from:
“Candidate”
To:
“Future team member”
The Real Takeaway
Jonathan didn’t magically become better overnight.
He simply:
- Got clear on what he wanted
- Focused his efforts
- Followed a structured process
- Took action before feeling ready
And that created momentum.
If You’re Feeling Stuck
Here’s the honest truth:
- Applying more won’t fix it
- Over-polishing won’t fix it
- Waiting for confidence won’t fix it
What will?
- Clarity
- Feedback
- Action
Even messy action.
Final Thought
Your UX job search isn’t about luck.
It’s about strategy.
And when you start treating it like a design problem…
You stop chasing opportunities—and start attracting them.