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

When developing a new product or service, understanding how your target audience reacts to your concept is crucial. Without this insight, you risk investing time and resources into ideas that may not resonate or succeed. That’s where a concept testing scorecard template becomes a valuable tool. It helps you evaluate ideas systematically, making it easier to decide which concepts deserve further development. I’ve used concept testing scorecards in several projects, and I want

When working on user experience (UX) projects, decisions shape the final product. Yet, many teams struggle to keep track of why certain UX recommendations were made, who made them, and what impact they had. Without a clear record, teams risk repeating mistakes, losing valuable context, or confusing stakeholders. That’s where a decision log template becomes essential. It helps document UX recommendations clearly and consistently, making the design process more transparent and

When I first faced the challenge of managing a complex workflow, I quickly realized that breaking down tasks into manageable parts was essential. Without a clear structure, projects became overwhelming, deadlines slipped, and communication faltered. That’s when I discovered the power of a task analysis template designed specifically for complex workflows. It transformed how I approached projects and helped my team stay on track. In this post, I’ll share how to build and use a

When I first started working on user experience design, I quickly realized how challenging it can be to identify where users struggle with a product. One method that helped me uncover these pain points was the cognitive walkthrough. To make this process easier and more consistent, I developed a cognitive walkthrough worksheet template . This tool has since become a staple in my usability testing toolkit, and I want to share how it can help you evaluate your designs more effec

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader I’ve spent years working in UX research, and one thing I’ve learned is that not all research methods are created equal. Sometimes, the very tools we rely on to understand users can give us a misleading sense of certainty. This false confidence can lead teams down the wrong path, wasting time and resources on solutions that don’t actually meet user needs. In this post, I want to share my experience with how certain UX research methods can

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader User experience (UX) research shapes how products and services meet real user needs. But with so many types of UX research, it can be confusing to know which method fits your project. I’ve worked on several design projects where choosing the right research approach made all the difference. In this post, I’ll walk you through the main types of UX research, explain when to use each, and share best practices to get the most from your effort