Job Descriptions and Intimidation in UI/UX Design (Advice)
November 24th, 2015 by Mike Locke  |  8 Comments »    

In this video I talk about the truth about job descriptions and the intimidation that comes along with seeing unrealistic job requirements.

8 Comments

    Juan Sidberry    
    November 25th, 2015 at 6:32 am

    Again, great video and great advice. And not just for beginners.

    I have a very experienced colleague who was laid off and applying for a QA position. One of the requirements was automated-testing skills. Everyone always thinks this means coding-skills (python, perl, java, etc). He was concerned that he did not know “coding” or did not have enough experience in “coding” to fulfill the “stated” requirements of the position. He applied anyway (good, +1 for that) and he then downplayed his “coding” abilities. He told them he had NO coding abilities in QA Testing. Well, he did not get the position. I spoke with him afterwards and I explained that he DID, in fact, have the skills to do that job in QA. For years he used many of the tools and frameworks that required understanding, organizing, and manipulating APIs and analyzing results in JSON & XML formats. Yes, this is not coding but his vast experience in working with APIs, JSON, XML, and the tools that use these things was invaluable and totally replaced the requirement for coding. He would have gotten the job if he emphasized those things versus downplaying coding.

    I think we kill our chances by shooting ourselves. Here’s what we should do (and several hiring managers have all said this same thing). When confronted with a question about a skill you do not (again) FEEL you have: answer the question by emphasizing what you DO have and what you can do and what skills might replace the need for that missing skill at least initially. In most case, according to these hiring managers, they will interpret that as “Wow, you have other skills where I know you can learn what is needed to fulfill the job.” Or they will say, “Well many of the skills you just spoke about are what we actually need too.”

    Last, every human interaction or effort is about learning. “What’s the worst thing that can happen? You learn something!” Take the interview as a step towards learning what you need to work on. It may be your interviewing skills (as discussed above) or a skill that is truly required that you might feel you need to work on or learn. And, Mike, (this is why your Video Blogs are so valuable and useful) you always say find that skill you need to work on, make some time to work on it (put in the work, a-la Gary V.) and add it to your portfolio. Now, you have what they want when you go to the next interviews.

    Anyway, enough of my preaching. Obviously this is something I am passionate about and man, you hit on a nerve, Mike. Again Thanks you for what you do. Keep leading in this area.

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    Mike Locke    
    December 1st, 2015 at 7:53 pm

    @Jaun – Love what you said, always provide skills that you do have that may replace the need for that missing skill you don’t have. Excellent points. Always provide value of what our strengths are, that’s key. Always great feedback.

    @Fabio – Thanks for sharing, it shows that these job descriptions are bloated many times.

    @Drew – Job descriptions intimidate us all, just apply anyway and always upsell yourself with the value you can provide to the company.

    Fabio    
    November 26th, 2015 at 5:49 am

    Great video, Mike. I’ve always had this intimidation problem when looking at job postings. I would see that they required things like .NET, Javascript, PHP Framework, and then I get intimidated. What I’ve learned is that some jobs don’t even have you doing a lot of what is in the description. I once had a job that asked for Flash ActionScript 3.0 as a main requirement, I applied, got the job and rarely even used Flash.

    Drew    
    November 30th, 2015 at 8:10 am

    Thanks for posting this timely and sorely needed vid, Mike.

    I’m sure I speak for all your viewers: BIG confidence booster.

    Like Fabio mentioned, many job postings list .NET, JavaScript, PHP, and other frameworks like AngularJS as required when its not necessary.

    I know HTML, CSS and a little jQuery to get by and I feel sometimes like I’ll never land the right job.

    Thank you for telling the truth as always.

    Gregory Guillet    
    December 2nd, 2015 at 2:37 pm

    Hello sir,

    I am a fan of your educational videos on YOUTUBE. I will like to sign up for your course. Do you provide support with locating freelancing or job positions?

    Mike Locke    
    December 7th, 2015 at 10:08 pm

    I don’t directly help with locating freelance work or jobs. That’s something you’d have to pursue on your own. But I definitely provide as much advice as possible through your journey.

    Gregory Guillet    
    December 15th, 2015 at 2:20 pm

    The course is suitable for beginners?

    Mike Locke    
    December 16th, 2015 at 8:27 am

    @Gregory – Yes, I walk through everything so that anyone could slowly pick up and learn the basics.

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