Is a recession coming? How to apply to UX jobs, write a resume, and create a portfolio for a career change.
There have been a string of layoffs in the tech industry recently.
There have been talks of a recession coming or already arrived, especially as inflation and higher gas prices continues to affect our daily lives. In times like these, we wanted to offer 5 tips for folks pivoting into UX during times of uncertainty.
1. Stay confident and keep putting your best foot forward.
There are still lots of opportunities out there despite the tech layoffs and talks of a recession. Companies are still hiring. Check out our Junior UX Job Board for opportunities.
2. If you can't find an opportunity, then create it!
You do not need anybody's permission to be a creative or a UX designer. Reach out to local businesses and your network to see if you can help them for freelance projects. This is a great way to give your portfolio and resume a boost. Early stage startups also need a lot of help!
3. If you have the funds, consider investing in a course to help you get to the next level.
It's always good to up-skill and learn new things to invest in the next steps for your career. Ideate Labs offers a Redesign Your UX Career course that offers help with resume writing, portfolio creation, negotiations, interview techniques and more. We provide up to 6 hours of 1:1 mentorship during the course. This is for folks who are actively looking for jobs currently.
4. Consider adding to your rainy-day fund each week and each month as talks of a recession loom in the air. It might be good to have a runway of 2-3 months of living expenses saved up in case you need it.
5. Find a supportive community so that you can talk through your experiences and pain points and find like-minded folks. Prioritize your mental health as you apply to jobs to avoid burnout. Find the support that you need. Join our Slack channel to meet over 6000+ designers and creatives!