How to land your first UX Research Job

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 Job, I spent time learning what UX research involves beyond the buzzwords. UX research is about understanding users’ needs, behaviors, and motivations through observation and feedback. It supports design decisions with real data.

To get a clear picture, I:

• Read books like Just Enough Research by Erika Hall

• Followed UX researchers on Twitter and LinkedIn

• Watched videos of user interviews and usability tests

  
  

This helped me speak the language confidently in interviews and show genuine interest.

Build a portfolio with real examples to Land Your UX Research Job

One of the hardest parts was showing I could do the work without a formal job history. I created my own projects by:

• Conducting usability tests on popular apps or websites

• Interviewing friends and family about their experiences with products

• Analyzing the results and writing clear reports with recommendations

  
  

I documented everything in a portfolio website. This gave me concrete evidence of my skills and process, which impressed recruiters more than just listing skills on a resume.

Gain hands-on experience through internships and volunteering

I found that practical experience was key to standing out. I applied for internships and volunteered for nonprofits or startups that needed UX help. These roles allowed me to:

• Work alongside designers and product managers

• Practice different research methods like surveys, interviews, and A/B testing

• Learn how to communicate findings to teams

  
  

Even unpaid roles added valuable experience and references.

Notebook with handwritten UX research notes and sketches

Network with UX professionals

Networking opened doors I didn’t expect. I joined local UX meetups and online communities where I could:

• Ask questions and get feedback on my portfolio

• Learn about job openings before they were posted

• Connect with mentors who guided me through the job search

  
  

LinkedIn was especially useful for reaching out to UX researchers and hiring managers with personalized messages.

Prepare thoroughly for interviews

When I landed interviews, I focused on preparation beyond just my portfolio. I practiced:

• Explaining my research process clearly and simply

• Answering common UX research questions like how I handle conflicting data

• Discussing how my findings influenced design decisions

  
  

I also prepared thoughtful questions about the company’s product and research culture. This showed I was serious and curious.

Keep learning and adapting

UX research is a field that evolves quickly. I kept improving by:

• Taking online courses on platforms like Coursera and Interaction Design Foundation

• Reading case studies and UX research blogs regularly

• Trying new tools like Optimal Workshop and Dovetail

  
  

This continuous learning helped me stay confident and ready for new challenges.