350 Applications & 1 Phone Interview | Design Buddies 🐰 | Page 1

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:18 PM

#

Hmm to me it seems like something on your portfolio and/or resume isn't working. I would concentrate on getting very candid reviews of those two items over applying for more jobs.

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 9:19 PM

#

I've had that done as well

#

I have updated them multiple times

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:20 PM

#

Hmm perhaps keep trying and keep getting reviews? Something about it isn't working if you're not only 1 callback in 350 applications.

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 9:20 PM

#

I am still seeking for more reviews. I have another mentor session next week.

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:21 PM

#

Have you posted here as well?

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 9:21 PM

#

Yeah but no replies

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:21 PM

#

Sometimes I find mentors in ADPList a little soft because they don't want to hurt people's feelings

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 9:21 PM

#

I feel like that has been happening lol

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:22 PM

#

Oh I see your post in portfolio review right now

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 9:25 PM

#

What sorts of companies and job postings have you been applying

#

And also where are you based?

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 9:26 PM

#

Any company posting entry level positions. I've been told 3 years experience is fair game so I've been applying to those.

#

I am based in SF

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 9:26 PM

#

Nice that’s good

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 9:26 PM

#

Applying across the country for remote work

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 9:31 PM

#

And was Costco your only work experience so far professionally

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 9:31 PM

#

I worked for LensCrafters before that but I was told to leave that out

#

Should I include it?

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 9:35 PM

#

I do feel like both are really a bit too irrelevant for UX but they are work experiences

#

What is your usual process you go by applying

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 9:37 PM

#

The ones I care about, I try to reach out to a recruiter, create a customized cover letter, and apply. If I have someone in my network who works or knows someone for the company, I'll reach out to them.

#

I'll have one reply but then I didn't hear from that recruiter since.

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 9:38 PM

#

Do you have examples of the cover letter for us to help too any chance?

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 9:38 PM

#

Others, I would just apply and add a generic cover letter.

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 9:38 PM

#

Usually tbh most recruiters from my experience don’t respond as well

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 9:39 PM

#

📎 Luigies_Cover_Letter.pdf

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 9:39 PM

#

Was this the tailored one

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 9:39 PM

#

Generic

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 9:39 PM

#

Okok and for the tailored one do you have that by any chance

#

And I guess if I take a step back

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:40 PM

#

I'm not sure if i would worry too much about cover letters at this stage.

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 9:40 PM

#

What are you passionate about UX wise like do you have a sector in mind

#

Ok that’s a fair point

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:40 PM

#

A large majority don't look at cover letters. And the ones that do if they were on the fence

#

The design of the resume I saw on your website was decent

#

I didn't read the content though

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 9:40 PM

#

I’m personally not a huge fan of cover letters either

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:41 PM

#

I think right now it's the portfolio

#

And I have a hard to thinking/explaining why my reaction is the portfolio

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 9:41 PM

#

One common thing I’ve noticed is I think so far your researched all revolved around surveys only

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 9:43 PM

#

eCommerce and service industry

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:43 PM

#

I think part of it is it feels hmm very similar to a lot of portfolios out there. As in, it doesn't stand out among a huge boat load of other junior designers. Maybe because I don't get your personality? idk it's really hard for me to explain and I think that's why your ADPList reviews have bene the way they are

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 9:43 PM

#

I like that you pointed that out with my research. I haven't heard that until now.

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 9:43 PM

#

Or maybe there was interviews but it’s not apparent it feels like there’s a lot of content but it’s not clear to me the thinking and reasoning

#

Like I’m seeing a lot of explanation about how the product works

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:44 PM

#

And I saw your post in portfolio review but didn't respond because I wasn't sure how to respond that was beneficial or helpful

#

Small feedback, the load delay you have makes it very, very hard to skim your work

#

I would remove that animation or make it come faster. Right now it's frustrating to wait trying to get through it

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 9:44 PM

#

manic idol I think part of it is it feels hmm very similar to a lot of portfolios out there...

Hmmm interesting

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:45 PM

#

Yeah, sorry that's not super helpful which was why I didn't respond in portfolio review

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 9:45 PM

#

I am in middle of another project I am doing for myself

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:45 PM

#

I'm unsure if you need more projects

#

5 is plently

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 9:45 PM

#

The animation seems cool but I don’t think it’s helping with reading sadly and I see a lot of ppl do it but

#

I think the projects you have quantity is enough but it’s what’s documented

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 9:45 PM

#

clear badge Or maybe there was interviews but it’s not apparent it feels like there’s a lot ...

OK I like this

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 9:45 PM

#

And presented

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:45 PM

#

In fact 5 might even be too much

#

I think I want deeper case studies in each of them

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 9:46 PM

#

To me you’re not helping me understand the point or data you got like summarized

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:46 PM

#

Instead of more different projects. I think that's why it feels generic maybe? because it felt surface level? Maybe?

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 9:46 PM

#

Vs I have to assemble everything myself

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:46 PM

#

I apologize for not explaining how I'm feeling well.

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 9:47 PM

#

Like “oh I see he’s got that data point… ok umm but what is the purpose of this data point”

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:47 PM

#

There's just something about it that feels like it's not showing your personality and your work. Maybe a better way to tell your story and your process from A to Z?

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 9:47 PM

#

I think in your case study this paragraph / sentence was great but it’s burried

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:47 PM

#

Some of your work is fairly small to see

#

I like BIG images of designs

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 9:47 PM

#

This is helpful

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:47 PM

#

So you can focus in

#

and this as an example is small

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 9:48 PM

#

Like this is far too buried and can be condensed

#

Or why you chose this project

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:48 PM

#

And the design of the thumbnail itself is hmm generic i guess for the lack of a better word.

#

Compared to say this one: https://aashreysharma.com/#client-work who also has phones and websites. They used splashes of colour

#

Which helps a bit

#

Same with these: https://www.justinetrieu.me/

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 9:50 PM

#

manic idol Same with these: https://www.justinetrieu.me/

This person has three projects. Is that ok to do for someone like me?

#

I'll work on getting better mockups

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:50 PM

#

Yes! You don't need lots of projects

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 9:50 PM

#

3 is defs enough

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:51 PM

#

3 is a great number

#

I think they just need to be more thorough projects that explain deeper

#

I think @clear badge touches upon it with the user interview. The user interviews feel fairly surface level and I think that's the overall impression I'm getting

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 9:51 PM

#

My story telling has been off. That is my focus right now.

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 9:52 PM

#

I agree with Hanna it feels like often you scratched the surface for problem solving

#

Then jumped to the solution

#

That’s how it felt like for me

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:52 PM

#

And utilizing big splashes of colour can help with drawing interests as well so everything doesn't feel so generic

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 9:53 PM

#

Can I get your thoughts on the YesLiberia case study since it is my most recent

#

please.

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:53 PM

#

This is also a good article: https://essays.uxdesign.cc/case-study-factory/

#

"How the formulaic approach to UX case studies is numbing our critical thinking as designers, and how to bring a unique point of view to our work."

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 9:54 PM

#

Ooooh thank you

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:54 PM

#

And there's a few more articles in #757108348394012770

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 9:57 PM

#

unreal nexus Can I get your thoughts on the YesLiberia case study since it is my most recent

I didn’t see what the problem space was the consideration and how you approached the problem that one felt like a UI redesign but not much reasons

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 9:57 PM

#

I sent this to a friend cause I wasn't sure how to articulate my feeing and this is what she said

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 9:58 PM

#

Thank you so much

#

you two

#

This is helping tremendously

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 9:59 PM

#

clear badge I didn’t see what the problem space was the consideration and how you approached...

Understood.

#

I am in the middle of working on another project for myself. Should I ignore that right now and focus on retelling my case studies?

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 10:00 PM

#

Yeah, sorry if it's not helpful in terms of "this is what you should do" but this is just the feeling I get when I look through it

#

Which might be why you're not getting callbacks

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 10:01 PM

#

I get what you are saying

#

This is what I needed

hot nacelle Jul 29, 2021, 10:43 PM

#

unreal nexus Can I get your thoughts on the YesLiberia case study since it is my most recent

Hi Luigie, if you don’t mind, I’ll take a stab at your first case study.

My thoughts:
1 - project summary please: role, timeline, tools used
2- big problem statement and list of constraints, I don’t want to dig through the paragraphs
3 - the before and after labelling could use an arrow for added clarity
4 - you mention ‘the user’ … but who are they?
5 - don’t have the research? ok, list the assumptions you’re making, and references you have referred to
6 - identify your challenges and lay them out visually (for example, you mentioned visual hierarchy, transparency, and telling a story through text and imagery)
7 - if you kept in contact with the founder, ask if they can tell you the donation amount before and after your redesign

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 10:44 PM

#

unreal nexus I am in the middle of working on another project for myself. Should I ignore tha...

It depends on how far it is. If you think it's a good project and better than the ones you currently have, finish it.

#

I wouldn't work on anymore though, and focus on cleaning up and improving your current ones after that

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 11:09 PM

#

unreal nexus I am in the middle of working on another project for myself. Should I ignore tha...

im going to share one advice I was just given yesterday and merge a little with something that Ive personally discovered

Take a step back and evaluate, if your goal is ecommernce and services, does the project/will the project align well with the goal? You will have to be very critical and evaluate the use of your time because the time is valuable!

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 11:10 PM

#

hot nacelle Hi Luigie, if you don’t mind, I’ll take a stab at your first case study. My th...

Thank you!

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 11:10 PM

#

clear badge im going to share one advice I was just given yesterday and merge a little with ...

Yes it is aligned with that goal!

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 11:11 PM

#

okok great then maybe if its better like Hanna said take the time to finish it but remember to come back and polish the rest

#

and this time around, learn from the feedback we jsut gave

#

how can you approach this project differently now

#

and then complete it

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 11:12 PM

#

Will do. Again, thank you so much everyone. I feel better now that I have a direction I can focus on.

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 11:15 PM

#

Best of luck and personally here’s what I recommend your success criteria of job search shouldn’t be if ur getting interviews or landing a job

#

Focus on what’s in your control which is if you’re following your plan

#

If you’re following your plan and modifying it as you see fit then it’s perfect

#

If you focus on that the process will become easier and you’ll find a job

#

Sounds silly but it’s the same thing for dating lol same strategy

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 11:18 PM

#

Love it. There's times where I am just going crazy. I am glad I was able to speak and be heard. Thank you for allowing me

#

That analogy is used a lot! LOL

#

4th time I heard someone use it now.

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 11:18 PM

#

clear badge im going to share one advice I was just given yesterday and merge a little with ...

I think sarah doody talks about it in her free articles & youtube videos

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 11:20 PM

#

Oh yes

manic idol Jul 29, 2021, 11:20 PM

#

(btw I don't necessarily agree with 5 as much just because it's too much work to really curate.)

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 11:21 PM

#

manic idol (btw I don't necessarily agree with 5 as much just because it's too much work to...

I agree

#

Maybe for senior designers

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 11:21 PM

#

Instead of doing 5 meh ones might as well focus and do 3 amazing ones

#

Quality >>> quantity

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 11:21 PM

#

Agreed!

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 11:22 PM

#

Senior designers may not have all 5 up either

#

They might pick the best most relatable 3 and show those

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 11:22 PM

#

I think Hanna meant question 5

unreal nexus Jul 29, 2021, 11:22 PM

#

manic idol

This one

clear badge Jul 29, 2021, 11:50 PM

#

Ohhhhh

#350 Applications & 1 Phone Interview