Today I'd like to write to all those new UX Designers, please do not market yourself as a "Junior". Maybe it’s just me, but I feel that using this word only hinders your attempts to “break” into the UX career field.
Personally, I’ve removed this language from my LinkedIn, portfolio and resumes. I’ve dropped the word Junior. I’m just a UX Designer. No other qualifier.
But why?
You are automatically placing yourself into a category that you probably don’t want to be in. When a recruiter or hiring manager looks at your CV and sees the word “junior” prefacing your title, there WILL be assumptions and biases made. Besides, what is the difference between a Junior UX Designer and a UX Designer that just started? Anyone?
When I began my UX career I applied for many jobs and spoke to many mentors and educators. One day, while getting a portfolio review, my mentor said to me, “Remove the word aspiring from your title.” Very pointedly. I’d never gotten this advice before. He continued, “Remove “hoping” as well. You’re not hoping or aspiring to be a designer. You design every day. You’re studying it in school. You are a designer.”
So how do we fix this?
Firstly, if your portfolio, resume or LinkedIn uses words like “Junior UX Designer” or “Aspiring UX Designer”, remove them. You’re a UX Designer. No more adjectives.
When you speak about your career trajectory do not use words like “I hope,” or “I’d like to” or “I’m aspiring to.” Speak definitively about what you’ve done, and what you plan to do.
In UX it is also important to acknowledge you’re open to learning. Remember, this is an ever-growing field with lots to discover. No one knows everything, and there is always room for career improvement.
Photo by Ivana Cajina on Unsplash