Receiving feedback that a company wants “someone more senior” can feel discouraging. It may seem like a rejection of your skills or experience, but this phrase often reflects more than just your qualifications. Understanding what lies behind this feedback and how to respond can turn a setback into an opportunity for growth and career advancement. How to Handle “We Need Someone More Senior” in UX Researcher Feedback What “We Need Someone More Senior” Really Means When hiring m

The job title “Junior UX Researcher” is surprisingly hard to find in the market. Many aspiring UX researchers wonder why entry-level roles with this exact title are scarce, especially when the demand for user experience professionals is growing. This post explores the reasons behind this rarity and offers practical alternatives for those starting their careers in UX research. Why “Junior UX Researcher” Roles Are So Rare Why Junior UX Researcher Roles Are Rare The Nature of UX

Explaining your research process can feel like walking a tightrope. You want to share enough detail to show your work’s rigor and thoughtfulness, but too much information can overwhelm your audience. Whether you are writing a paper, presenting findings, or discussing your work with colleagues, clarity matters. This post offers practical tips to help you explain your research process clearly without overloading your listeners or readers. Explaining Research Process Start with

Landing a UX research role often hinges on your portfolio. It’s the key tool that showcases your skills, thinking process, and impact. Yet many candidates unknowingly include elements that raise red flags for hiring managers. These issues can overshadow your strengths and reduce your chances of getting interviews. Understanding these common pitfalls helps you avoid them and present a portfolio that truly reflects your capabilities. UX research portfolio red flags UX Research

The tech job market of the early 2020s has been volatile. What started as explosive growth in UX research roles—spurred by the rapid digital transformation during the pandemic—has given way to a much more complex landscape heading into 2026. For many user researchers, this shift feels like a “decline of UX research jobs,” but the reality is more nuanced. Medium+1 Surviving the 2026 UX Research Job Market Shift What’s Really Happening in the UX Research Job Market Several indi

Landing a UX research role often means sending out dozens of resumes, each tailored to a specific job description. But rewriting your entire resume for every application can be exhausting and time-consuming. I’ve been there, and I found a way to make this process smarter and more efficient. You can tailor your UX research resume for each role without rewriting it from scratch. Here’s how I do it, step-by-step, so you can spend less time editing and more time preparing for int

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Getting a promotion in UX research can feel like a challenging goal. I remember feeling stuck early in my career, wondering what I needed to do to move up. Over time, I discovered that securing a promotion isn’t just about doing your job well; it’s about showing growth, leadership, and impact in ways that matter to your team and company. Here, I’ll share practical strategies that helped me advance in UX research and can help you too. UX

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When you talk about a study during a job interview, hiring managers are not just hearing your words. They are listening for specific signals that show how you think, communicate, and apply knowledge. I’ve learned this the hard way after several interviews where I thought I nailed the explanation, only to realize later what I missed. Understanding what hiring managers focus on can help you present your study clearly and confidently, makin

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When I first started applying for UX research roles, I quickly realized that having a portfolio was not just a nice-to-have but a critical part of the hiring process. However, not all portfolios are created equal. Hiring managers look for specific qualities that show your skills, thought process, and impact. If you want your portfolio to stand out, you need to understand what they value most. A UX research portfolio displayed on a laptop

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When I first started applying for UX research roles, I struggled with how to present my skills effectively. I wondered if a dedicated skills section was necessary or if my experience and projects spoke for themselves. Over time, I realized that a well-crafted skills section not only highlights your capabilities but also helps recruiters quickly understand your strengths. In this post, I’ll share why UX researchers should include a skills

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Choosing a career in user experience (UX) can be exciting but also confusing. Two popular paths in this field are UX research and UX design. Both roles focus on improving how users interact with products, but they do so in different ways. I want to share my experience and insights to help you decide which path fits your skills, interests, and goals better. A UX researcher reviewing user feedback and data Understanding UX Research UX rese

When I first started crafting my UX research resume, I struggled with one big question: how do I show real impact without resorting to inflated or fake numbers? Many job seekers feel pressured to add flashy metrics that don’t truly reflect their work. But in UX research, genuine impact often comes from insights, decisions influenced, and user experience improvements that don’t always translate into neat percentages or dollar signs. I learned that telling a clear story about m

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Finding the right UX research role can feel overwhelming. The job market is crowded, and not every listing tells the full story about the company or the position. When I was searching for my last UX research job, I quickly realized that Glassdoor was more than just a place to read reviews—it became a powerful tool to guide my search and make informed decisions. Here’s how I used Glassdoor to find a role that truly fit my skills and caree

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Landing a UX research job can feel like a challenge, especially when competition is fierce. I remember when I first started my job search, I underestimated how much my LinkedIn profile could influence recruiters and hiring managers. Over time, I learned that a well-crafted LinkedIn presence can open doors and create opportunities that a resume alone might miss. If you are a UX researcher looking for your next role, optimizing your Linked

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Facing the question “Tell me about a research failure” can feel intimidating. It’s not just about admitting something went wrong; it’s about showing how you handle setbacks and grow from them. I’ve been there, and I want to share how to turn this tricky question into an opportunity to highlight your resilience, learning, and problem-solving skills. Research workspace showing notes and laptop, symbolizing a challenging research phase Why

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Starting a career in UX research is exciting. You get to explore how people interact with products and help shape better experiences. But after some time, you might feel stuck or unsure if your current role is still the right fit. I’ve been there myself, and recognizing when it’s time to move on can be tricky. In this post, I’ll share key signs that helped me decide it was time to look for a new UX research opportunity, along with practi

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Breaking into UX research can feel like a puzzle with missing pieces. When I started, I faced the same challenge: how to prove my skills and land that first role without years of experience. If you’re eager to join this field, I’ll share the practical steps I took and what worked best to get noticed by employers. A UX research project dashboard on a laptop screen Understand what UX research really means Before applying for a UX Research

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Finding the right place to launch or grow your UX research career can feel overwhelming. With so many job boards and career sites out there, it’s easy to get lost in the noise. I’ve spent years navigating this space, and I want to share the best UX research career sites that helped me find meaningful roles and connect with the right opportunities. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next step, these sites offer a mix

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Starting a new UX research role often feels like stepping into a dream job. But what happens when the role isn’t quite what you imagined? Maybe the company culture isn’t ideal, the project scope is limited, or the resources are tight. I’ve faced this dilemma myself, and I want to share when it makes sense to accept a UX research position even if it’s not perfect—and how to make the most of it. A UX researcher’s workspace filled with note

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When the job market for UX research tightens, standing out becomes more challenging but also more critical. I’ve been through periods when opportunities seemed scarce, and the competition felt overwhelming. What helped me was shifting how I positioned myself—not just as a UX researcher, but as a problem solver with unique value. If you’re navigating a crowded market, this post shares practical steps to help you get noticed and land the r