How to Position Yourself When the UX Research Market Is Tight
- Philip Burgess
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
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 right roles.
How to Position Yourself When the UX Research Market Is Tight
Understand What Employers Really Need
In a tight market, many candidates have similar qualifications. To stand out, focus on what employers truly want beyond the job description. I found that companies often look for researchers who can:
Translate research into clear business recommendations
Collaborate closely with product and design teams
Adapt research methods to fit fast-paced projects
When I tailored my applications and interviews to highlight these skills, I got more callbacks. Instead of just listing methods I knew, I shared stories about how my research influenced product decisions or solved specific problems.
Build a Portfolio That Tells a Story
A portfolio is more than a collection of projects. It’s your chance to show how you think and work. Early in my career, my portfolio was a list of case studies with screenshots and summaries. Later, I learned to focus on the narrative:
What was the problem?
How did I approach research?
What insights emerged?
How did the team use those insights?
This storytelling approach made my work memorable. When the market is tight, a clear story helps hiring managers see your impact quickly.
Expand Your Skill Set Strategically
I noticed that when the market slowed, roles often required more than traditional UX research skills. For example, some positions asked for experience with data analysis tools or basic UI design knowledge. I took time to learn:
Data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI
Basics of interaction design to better communicate with designers
Remote research techniques, which became essential recently
Adding these skills made me more flexible and attractive to employers. You don’t need to master everything, but showing willingness to learn and adapt makes a difference.
Network with Purpose and Authenticity
Networking can feel overwhelming, especially when jobs are scarce. I shifted from generic networking to building genuine connections. Instead of just attending events, I:
Joined UX research communities online and contributed to discussions
Reached out to people whose work I admired with thoughtful questions
Shared my own insights and experiences through blog posts or talks
This approach helped me build relationships that led to referrals and advice. When the market is tight, who you know can open doors that qualifications alone might not.
Stay Visible and Keep Learning
Even when I wasn’t actively job hunting, I kept my profile visible by:
Updating my LinkedIn with recent projects and articles
Participating in webinars and workshops
Writing about UX research challenges and solutions
This ongoing presence helped me stay top of mind for recruiters and peers. It also kept my skills sharp and my confidence high.
Be Ready to Adapt Your Job Search
Sometimes, the perfect role doesn’t appear right away. I learned to:
Consider contract or freelance work to build experience and income
Look at related roles like product management or UX design to broaden options
Be open to smaller companies or startups where I could wear multiple hats
This flexibility helped me stay active in the field and often led to unexpected opportunities.
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