Networking to connect with people in your field of interest is essential for showcasing your skills and personality to a future employer.

Yes, you can apply to 500+ jobs, but it’s who you know that can be your golden ticket to securing your next job, especially in the UX field.

Let me share my story of how I got my job through networking by attending an ADPList event and posting updates on social media (Instagram & LinkedIn) to people I have connected with.

People on the internet watch your every move on social media, and if they can help, they will reach out to you.

How It Started

ADPList.com is a mentoring site where you can have 1:1 conversations with people to learn more about the industry you’re interested in, receive career tips, and help discover your passion. I had the chance to connect with a colleague of my former boss, who works at Dell in the UX industry, to learn more about what he looks for in a UX Designer regarding their background, education, and portfolio. Because my former boss saw a post of mine on Instagram about my interest in pursuing UX, she introduced me to her colleague at Dell. 

With every job you’ve held in the past, your supervisor remembers what you did. This is especially true if you have a strong work ethic, arrive on time, and maintain a positive relationship with them. You never know when times might be tough, and your former colleagues or supervisor will remember that you made a positive impact at their company and might recommend you to a colleague at a company related to a position you want to obtain.

Attending an ADPList Meetup

I always receive emails from ADPList, but one caught my attention because it was about an ADPList Meetup in my area. This was an opportunity for me to connect with other people who are just as passionate about UX. I registered for that meetup, although I was nervous to attend, I saw this as a chance to learn how I could get a job in UX.

If you attend events or meetings related to your profession, dress to impress, bring a positive attitude, and stay true to yourself; these actions make a big difference. You’ll meet people from all walks of life who are seeking job opportunities just like you, as well as some who have worked in the industry, from whom you can ask for tips and career advice and build connections.

At this ADPList event, I met a few people who completed bootcamps at CareerFoundry and others who were already professional UX Designers. I asked them how they got started in UX and what helped them get a job in the field. I also asked those who completed UX bootcamps how they felt about their educational experience and whether it was easy for them to hear from employers.

After learning about their experiences, I connected with one woman who completed a CareerFoundry bootcamp and told her I am pursuing my graduate studies in User Experience (UX). I explained my reasons for choosing traditional school over a bootcamp, noting that employers in the past preferred candidates with a Master’s degree over those with a bootcamp certification. I felt like I had a good conversation with her, shared my contact information, and connected with her on LinkedIn.

The Connection That Changed Everything

After some time following this ADPList meetup, I posted on my LinkedIn community that I had completed a year of graduate school studying UX. I asked if any of my colleagues in the UX field could review my portfolio and resume. Also,  I provided an update on my journey of applying for UX positions, including the statuses of those applications, which were mainly rejections and closed positions.

Little did I know that Rose, whom I will refer to as the woman I met at the ADPList meetup, shared my contact information, attended a bootcamp at CareerFoundry, read my post, and reached out to me.

She told me she has a friend who works in the construction industry on the UX team. Her friend was looking for interns, and she offered to introduce me to her colleague if I was interested. Rose remembered that I was in graduate school and that, for this UX internship, they were seeking candidates enrolled in universities. Later, I connected with her colleague, who told me I could use her as a referral to apply for the UX internship position at her company. 

I applied and used Rose’s colleague as a referral. Later, I was contacted for interviews and, after passing the final round, I was hired as a UX Design Intern at HCSS.

The Takeaway

What I learned when I networked with people in the UX industry:

• Have a portfolio ready with a few case studies and projects, in case you connect with someone in the UX industry who can forward it to colleagues. 

• Dress to impress! Don’t underdress. It’s safest to go with business casual, as you might meet a UX Manager seeking candidates. 
• Have your LinkedIn profile updated, and make sure your portfolio and resume are accessible there.

• Be yourself and don’t be afraid to attend meetups to meet other people in your industry; you never know when you’ll land your UX job.