Tips for Showcasing Problem-Solving Skills in Portfolios

What comes to your mind when an interviewer asks you to describe a "problem" you solved? For most UXers it has to do with a usability pain point. That's not a bad thing, we are expected to advocate for our users after all. But it isn't usually what an interviewer is asking or what they're looking for in a case study. (Especially if you're speaking with a product leader). Do you want your case study or interview answers to be more impactful & successful? Then shift your thinking slightly to think of "problems", "situations", "outcomes", etc as including the business impact. That's the way everyone else in a business thinks so it will resonate more with them. Now, I'm definitely not saying to forget about user pain points. It's our job to resolve them and advocate for users. But a slight shift in how you speak about it could be helpful in grabbing your interviewer's attention. For example: Instead of "the dashboard widget builder component was hard to use", try something like: "PMs and Data Analysts were spending nearly 50% of their time helping users find data and create dashboards—a task users should have been able to do themselves. This resulted in lost productivity cost of $52 Million per year. Our task was to improve our users' ability to find the data & insights they needed on their own so we could reduce product consulting time of PMs below 20%." One good test of how you're doing is to ask your PM on the project to describe the problem you were solving, and see how close it is to your description. If it's way off, there may be an opportunity for revision. A problem description should include: user pain, company pain, and scale of the problem. Ideally it should also include why this was a problem worth prioritizing as well. P.S. This way of framing problems will also make you more impactful and successful in your CURRENT role as well. #InterviewTips #PortfolioDesign #UXDesign

🤔 Design portfolio pro-tip: Level up your user flow communication through showing your decision tree. While showcasing basic user flows is a good start, hiring managers often go beyond that. In a sea of portfolios, distinguish yourself by demonstrating: 1. Deep user understanding: Embed user insights and pain points within your flow charts. 2. Creative problem-solving: Highlight how your user flows tackle specific challenges and optimize the user journey. 3. Impactful storytelling: Weave a narrative through your flows, showcasing how they influenced design decisions and drove positive outcomes. Remember, hiring managers want to see evidence of your design thinking and strategic impact, not just technical proficiency at creating a user flow chart. Instead, show your thought process: 1. What are the different types of flows you considered? 2. How did you make a decision on the end result? 3. What research, log data, audits or user feedback did you consider to make your final decision? For example, in this diagram below, my decision process could look something like this: DECISION Reason 1: Reduced onboarding steps by 3 screens Reason 2: Reduced onboarding abandonment by 30% Reason 3: Allow users to skip part of the onboarding flow and return later, increasing signups by x% Let me know if you have any questions! #design #portfolio #portfolioshowcase #uxcommunity #uxdesign #uxdesigner

Not getting another interview after your portfolio presentation? Maybe this is why 👇 I've sat in many portfolio presentations. I also work with numerous mentees, helping shape their stories. The biggest mistake I always see is not showcasing the why behind your work. Context. So many presentations go like this: - Hi, it me 👋 - Here's my first case - Here is a persona I made - Here is another persona I made - Here is an arbitrary user flow - Here is a sketch I made - Here is a wireframe I made - Here is the final solution - I learned a couple of things Your presentation should be a story, not a simple show and tell. Don't just tell your audience WHAT you did. Tell them WHY you did it. The why connects your thought process to your design. We want to hear what drove your decisions. Paint a vivid picture of the challenges you faced, the insights you stumbled upon, and the brainstorms that led to breakthroughs. What separates you from other designers is how you think and your design decisions. ✅ Frame your failures ✅ Dissect your decisions ✅ Incorporate your successes ✅ Create a beginning, middle, and end ✅ Show the path from initial idea to final Each slide and each statement should reveal a bit more about your thinking process. Details matter. Subtleties matter. They all add up to a powerful narrative. When your presentation is infused with purpose and passion, your work shines. It demonstrates your technical skills and your capacity for critical thinking, problem-solving, and empathetic understanding. And that's what sets you apart. Not just the sheer quality of your work but also the depth of thought put into it. Make them remember what you did and why you did it. Because, in the end, it's the why that truly matters. ------------------------------------- 🔔 Follow: Mollie Cox ♻ Repost to help others 💾 Save it for future use

I’m taking a new approach to “content writing” portfolios — and I feel it’s something everyone should do. For the most part, many of us “content writers,” when asked to send a portfolio, send a web page that includes all (or some) of the projects we’ve worked on. While that works and still works, I feel going the extra mile a bit might be the game changer. Instead of simply littering the whole page with links, why not turn it into a case study highlighting your thought process behind the project? Often, when I get on calls with clients, I discover that while they requested you send them a link to your portfolio, many didn’t go through all of the links you put there. On the flip side, when I switched it to case studies, detailing how I went about the project and the result we got, the conversation took a different route—a productive one at that. Clients now see (and know) what to expect, and the sweet part is that they have an idea of your problem-solving skills. Win-win. 

"Why does my Resume never get a callback?" This is what a client of mine asked on a call. He was depressed from the constant rejections. I saw his Resume, the problem was clear. 🚫 His Resume was too generic, did not stand out at all. "But Rohit, how do I make it stand out?" Well, let me tell you how. 1. Use a Unique Value Proposition (UVP): ↳ Start with a headline that encapsulates your professional identity and unique value. ↳ Make it memorable and specific to your strengths. ↳ This UVP sets the tone for your entire resume. 2. Quantify Your Achievements: ↳ Numbers speak louder than words. ↳ Use numbers to demonstrate your accomplishments. ↳ Whether it's sales increased, costs reduced, or projects led, quantification makes your impact clear. 3. Leverage Keywords Strategically: ↳ Identify and use keywords from the job description. ↳ This ensures your resume aligns with what the employer is seeking and passes ATS scans. ↳ Keywords bridge the gap between your skills and job requirements. 4. Highlight Transferable Skills: ↳ Clearly identify skills that are valuable in many contexts, especially if changing industries. ↳ Show how these skills apply to the position you're applying for. ↳ Transferable skills demonstrate versatility and adaptability. 5. Use a Professional Design: ↳ Opt for a clean, professional layout that makes your resume easy to read. ↳ Avoid excessive ornamentation but consider subtle design elements that reflect your personal brand. ↳ A visually appealing resume can make a strong first impression. 6. Focus on Problem-Solving: ↳ Highlight specific problems you've solved in previous roles. ↳ Describe the challenge, your action, and the outcome. ↳ This approach shows your ability to think critically and achieve results. 7. Customize the Resume for Each Job: ↳ Tailor your resume for each application, emphasizing the experience and skills most relevant to each job. ↳ Customization shows you've taken the time to understand the role and company. ↳ This effort can set you apart in a crowded applicant pool. ✅ Do this and your Resume will stand out in this competitive job market. --------- Follow me for daily content to 10x your Job Search! #Resumewriting #resume #resumetips #resumewriter #resumewritingservices #jobsearch

Job seekers – listing skills in your resume isn’t all that helpful. Demonstrate them in your experience section instead. Here’s what that looks like… For soft skills: -Problem-solving: Describe a specific challenge you faced in a previous role and how you tackled it. Did you streamline a process, resolve a customer issue, or develop a creative solution? -Leadership: Share instances when you led a team, project, or initiative. Highlight the results you achieved and the specific impact of your leadership. -Communication: Discuss a time when effective communication was crucial. Did you present at a conference, write a report that led to positive changes, or successfully negotiate a deal? For hard skills: -Data analysis: Share a project where you used data analysis tools like Excel, Python, or Tableau to extract valuable insights that led to data-driven decision-making. -Digital marketing: Highlight your digital marketing prowess by describing a campaign you managed. Discuss how you utilized tools like Google Analytics, SEO strategies, or social media advertising to boost brand visibility and engagement, resulting in measurable ROI. -Software development: Talk about a complex project you completed, specifying the programming languages, frameworks, and methodologies you employed to create a successful software solution. As always, use numbers throughout. They translate across industries and readers and show that – for all of these skills – you created tangible benefits. #ResumeTips

🚀Your resume is more than a list of roles – it's a canvas to showcase your impact! 🚀Instead of just listing duties, make those bullets POP with achievements: 🚀Let's delve into spotlighting your achievements rather than merely cataloging your responsibilities: 1. Quantify Your Successes: Numbers provide context and make your achievements more impressive. Instead of saying "Managed a project," try "Led a project that resulted in a 20% increase in sales." Example: "In my previous role, I didn't just handle customer inquiries; I improved customer satisfaction by 25% through proactive communication and prompt issue resolution. 2. Tell a Story: Frame your achievements in a narrative that illustrates challenges, actions, and outcomes. This engages the reader and showcases your problem-solving skills. Example: "Facing a tight deadline, I revamped the production process, reducing turnaround time by 30%. Our team not only met the deadline but exceeded quality expectations. 3. Highlight Contributions: Emphasize how your work positively affected your team, department, or organization. Showcase your ability to collaborate and drive results. Example: "Collaborated across departments to streamline inventory management, leading to a 15% reduction in holding costs and better on-time delivery. Teamwork makes the dream work! 4. Include Tangible Results: Discuss any awards, recognitions, or promotions you received due to your outstanding contributions. This demonstrates your value and dedication. Example: "Honored with the 'Employee of the Quarter' award for consistently exceeding sales targets and pioneering a successful client retention program. Hard work pays off! 5. Tailor to Your Audience: Customize your achievements to resonate with your target audience, whether it's potential employers, clients, or industry peers. Highlight relevant skills and experiences. Example: "As a marketing professional, I don't just analyze data; I transformed insights into actionable strategies that boosted engagement by 40%. 🚀Follow these tips to transform your resume from mundane to magnificent. #resumetips #careercoaching #jobsearch

Having walked together through the process of positioning ourselves - 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬 in O&G for early career 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 roles. Now, let's look into unconventional strategies that will not only set us apart but also prove highly effective in securing these remote opportunities. Here's how you can make your application standout! ✅ 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐨: Instead of the traditional resume, consider creating an interactive portfolio. This could be a website or a document with hyperlinks to projects, achievements, or even a short video introduction. Make it memorable! ✅ 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐕𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨: Accompany your application with a short cover video. Use this opportunity to showcase your personality, enthusiasm, and unique skills. It adds a personal touch that a written cover letter might not convey. ✅ 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚: Leverage platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter to highlight your expertise. Share insights about the industry, comment on relevant posts, and engage with professionals. Recruiters often check social profiles, and a strong online presence can make you stand out. ✅ 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠: Go beyond describing your skills; showcase them by solving a problem the company might be facing. Create a brief report or presentation demonstrating how you would approach a specific challenge in the role you're applying for. ✅ 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨-𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 & 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬: Equip yourself with specific skills related to the role through online courses or micro-credentials. Mention these in your application to show your commitment to ongoing learning. ✅ 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫: If possible, try to connect with current or former employees of the company on LinkedIn. A short, polite message expressing your interest and asking for insights can sometimes lead to valuable information or even a referral. ✅ 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐬: Propose a virtual coffee chat to discuss the industry, the company, or even the specific role. This informal conversation can help you build a connection with someone inside the organization and gain insights that go beyond what's on the job description. ✅ 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤: Offer your skills on a freelance basis or volunteer for a short-term project. This not only adds experience to your resume but also demonstrates your commitment and adaptability. Now, armed with these insights, take action. 🚀 Your future in the oil and gas industry awaits—seize it with confidence and ingenuity. If you found these tips valuable, consider sharing them with your network. Now, I’d love to hear your thoughts. What resonated with you, and how do you plan to integrate these strategies into your remote job search⁉️ Share your insights in the comments below, and let’s continue the conversation.

UXR job seekers: Struggling with creating that portfolio someone asked for? Tips here! A few highlights: *Choose case studies that demonstrates breadth within your skill set (ex: a usability study and also a card sort; NOT 2 usability studies) *Break each case study down into The Ask, The Methods, The Outcomes *Highlight the challenges you overcame (ex: poorly defined goals, stakeholders who'd never worked with researchers before, a difficult to reach target population) *Not currently job seeking? Keep notes about your projects based on the tips above so you can easily add them to a portfolio when needed. (Please let me know if you can't access the post. I'm unclear on permissions between LinkedIn and Medium.)