You've watched the YouTube tutorials. Completed Coursera courses. Built portfolio projects. Yet you're not getting callbacks. Here's what's really going on.
The Course Trap for Career Switchers
Courses are designed to teach concepts to thousands of people at once. They don't know your background, your transferable skills, or what specific gaps are holding you back. For career switchers, this generic approach is particularly harmful because you need guidance on positioning your unique experience.
What Hiring Managers Actually Look For
When companies hire junior designers, they're not just looking for Figma skills. They want to see:
- Clear design thinking and problem-solving approach
- Ability to communicate design decisions
- Coachability and willingness to learn
- A portfolio that tells stories, not just shows screens
- Understanding of how design connects to business goals
Your Previous Experience is an Asset
Whether you come from marketing, development, sales, or any other field - your background gives you a unique perspective. The key is learning to position it as a strength, not hiding it.
The Mentorship Difference
1:1 mentorship addresses what courses cannot. A mentor who has hired designers can tell you exactly what's missing from your portfolio, how to position your career switch story, and what specific skills to develop based on the roles you're targeting.
If you're serious about breaking into UX design, check out our career transition mentorship program.
