How to Get a UX Design Job Series: UX Portfolios

Learn how to quickly and easily create a professional UX portfolio with user experience designer and author Lisa Murnan.

Welcome to my first class in the How to Get a UX Design Job series.

I chose to tackle UX Portfolios first because these days we all need one to get a job. And we often tend to get stuck in analysis paralysis because creating a portfolio can feel so overwhelming, and we all have a million other things we’d rather be doing.

But guys, you need a UX portfolio. Now. Yesterday! What if your dream job comes knocking on LinkedIn tomorrow? The recruiter or hiring manager will ask you for a copy of your portfolio in their first or second email, I promise. And what they see in that portfolio will determine whether you get an interview or not.

In this 40-minute class, I’m going to show you how to quickly create a PDF portfolio that requires no website, no Behance or Dribbble account, no coding, no hassle. All you’ll need is access to a presentation program like Google Slides, PowerPoint or Keynote, or a publishing program like InDesign. You can use whatever you’re already comfortable with.  

Recruiters and hiring managers are perfectly happy to receive a PDF version of your portfolio (it’s easy to email, read and print), and you can always put a copy of it online if you need a URL for your resume, LinkedIn profile or an online job application.

We’ll cover:

• What recruiters and hiring managers are looking for in a portfolio
• How to quickly create a professional-looking template using your favorite presentation program
• How to structure your portfolio and case studies
• What case studies and images to include
• How to customize your portfolio for each job application
• What do to about NDA work
• How to create a link to your PDF portfolio
• Mistakes to avoid

This class is for everyone, whether you’re an aspiring UXer or a designer with years of experience. We all need a portfolio!

Resources:

• Handouts - Slides from Class
• UX Portfolios - Inspiration & Resources
• Lisa's Portfolio Template (in Google Slides)
• Class Resources on Lisa's Website

• Welcome
• What You'll Need
• Who's Your "User"?
• Formats - PDF vs Website
• There is No "Right" Design
• Portfolio Structure & Format
• Informational Pages
• Case Study Overview
• Anatomy of a Case Study
• NDA Work
• Customize For Each Job
• Getting Your PDF Online
• Wrap Up