THE QUEST FOR THE ULTIMATE UX PORTFOLIO by Pradeep Nayar @designonmymind

Who am I?

No content

No content

THE QUEST FOR THE ULTIMATE UX PORTFOLIO 1. Know Yourself 2. Prepare your work 3. Get out there!

What is your favorite car manufacturer?

No content

NOTE: You are a BRAND YOU ARE A BRAND

WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT?

What do you want to do?

The Quest for The Ultimate UX Portfolio UX DISCIPLINES 11 Problem Space Solution Space OPTION 1 User Research Experience Strategy OPTION 2 Visual Design OPTION 4 Interaction Design OPTION 3 Deliverables Interview Scripts Moderation Guides Key Findings Report Experience Maps Personas Scenarios Concept/Mind Maps Journey Maps User Flows Sketches Site Maps Wireframes (Low fidelity) Wireframes (High fidelity) with annotations Prototypes Sketches Visual Comps/Mockups Style Guides Prototypes

Where do you want to work?

The Quest for The Ultimate UX Portfolio WHERE CAN YOU WORK? 13 IN-HOUSE (Work for an organization) Startup Mid-Sized Company Large Corporation What’s different? Type of work Duration of work Level of engagement Level of influence on direction Complexity of the problem EXTERNAL (Work for a client) Agency Consulting Freelance

THE QUEST FOR THE ULTIMATE UX PORTFOLIO 1. Know Yourself 2. Prepare your work 3. Get out there!

The Quest for The Ultimate UX Portfolio CONSOLIDATE YOUR WORK 15 Collect everything! Pick the top 3 - 5 case studies Choosing the right case study is important Take pictures! Did I mention take pictures?

(What’s out there) ONLINE (What you carry with you) OFFLINE VS

The Quest for The Ultimate UX Portfolio 17 ONLINE PORTFOLIO TIPS Focus on breadth and not depth of work Mobile friendly (Responsive is a plus) Be brief (don’t get too wordy) What problem did you solve? Your role Size of the team Design approach Password protect (if necessary)

The Quest for The Ultimate UX Portfolio OFFLINE PORTFOLIO TIPS 18 Focus on 3 - 5 case studies Be contextual (based on the position) Be a storyteller of your work Framing each case study Problem/opportunity Your specific role Team you worked with The approach Key challenges Overcoming challenges Metrics of success Outcome Sample deliverables Have a backup plan! (Murphy’s law) WOW your future boss! (create excitement)

How do I show confidential documentation?

CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENTATION DO NOT EMAIL Take it with you for your in-person interview Blur/Remove logos in sample deliverables Avoid posting online (If you do, password protect it) Be careful of legal implications

DON’T TAKE ALL THE CREDIT

Don’t forget C.R.A.P Contrast Repetition Alignment Proximity

Don’t talk about… Me, Myself & I ! Talk about Us… what we will gain and how you are going to help get there

THE QUEST FOR THE ULTIMATE UX PORTFOLIO 1. Know Yourself 2. Prepare your work 3. Get out there!

The Quest for The Ultimate UX Portfolio BEYOND THE PORTFOLIO 25 Your LinkedIn profile Keep it up-to-date Have a good picture Write a good summary Get some recommendations Get endorsed Formal well-structured resume 1 - 2 page(s) depending on experience Check for typos & alignment List of work references Check out local IXDA & Meetup UX events!

How do hiring managers think?

The Quest for The Ultimate UX Portfolio THE TYPICAL HIRING PROCESS 27 Do you have the right hard skills? Do you have relevant experience? Do you present yourself well? How do you talk about your work? Do you have attention to detail? Do you have passion for UX? Are you worth my time? Do you have the right soft skills? How are your communication skills? Do you know and use UX lingo? Do you have the right attitude? Do you have the right skill set? Are you a good story teller? Are you a good cultural fit? Can I work with you? Will you add value to the team? Will you grow with the team? CANDIDATE REVIEW RESUME & ONLINE PORTFOLIO INITIAL SCREENING OVER THE PHONE FINAL INTERVIEW IN PERSON (OR VIRTUALLY)

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS & FEEDBACK @designonmymind Photos Credit: Flickr user @jdhancock https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode