How to get a UX job without a portfolio?

 

The UX job market is competitive, and one of the most common requirements you'll find in job listings is a portfolio. But what if you don’t have one? Maybe you're transitioning from another field, recently finished a course, or are just getting started in UX. While a strong portfolio is helpful, it’s not the only path to landing your first UX job. In fact, many have broken into UX Portfolio without a traditional portfolio—by being strategic, scrappy, and proactive.

In this guide, we’ll walk through practical steps to help you land a UX job even if you don’t yet have a polished portfolio.

1. Focus on Your Transferable Skills

UX design is a multidisciplinary field. If you’re coming from a background like graphic design, marketing, psychology, customer service, writing, or development, you already have transferable skills that are relevant to UX:

• Graphic design brings visual hierarchy, layout, and typography expertise.

• Psychology offers an understanding of user behavior and decision-making.

• Customer service teaches empathy and pain-point identification.

• Writing or editing helps with UX writing and clear interface communication.

• Development supports technical feasibility and front-end collaboration.

Highlight these skills on your resume and during interviews. Make connections between what you’ve done and what UX roles demand—research, problem-solving, communication, and user-centered thinking.

2. Create a “Lean” Portfolio with Personal Projects

Even if you haven’t worked in a UX role yet, you can still show your UX process. This doesn’t require client work or employment. You just need to demonstrate how you approach problems.

Here are ideas for projects:

• Redesign an existing product or app you use frequently.

• Audit a website and make UX improvements.

• Create a new app idea, showing user flows and wireframes.

• Volunteer for a nonprofit or local business, offering free UX help.

For each project, follow this format:

1. Problem – What’s the challenge or user pain point?

2. Research – What did you learn from users or competitors?

3. Ideation – How did you brainstorm possible solutions?

4. Design – What did you create? Wireframes, prototypes, etc.

5. Reflection – What did you learn, and what would you improve?

Even one or two case studies like this, presented in a clean PDF or Notion page, can substitute for a formal portfolio.

3. Use Alternative Formats to Show Your Thinking

You don’t need a fancy website to get started. Hiring managers care more about how you think than how glossy your portfolio looks. Consider using:

• Notion: Create a project hub or design journal.

• Google Docs/Slides: Create a simple case study deck.

• Medium or Substack: Write articles about your UX thinking.

• Loom videos: Record yourself walking through your process.

• LinkedIn: Share posts about design challenges or learning experiences.

These formats can still show your problem-solving process, empathy for users, and ability to communicate design decisions—core elements of good UX work.

4. Build a UX Resume that Stands Out

Your resume and LinkedIn profile are your entry tickets. Without a portfolio, these become even more important.

What to include:

• Relevant skills: Figma, Miro, Notion, usability testing, wireframing, user flows.

• Courses or certifications: Google UX Design, CareerFoundry, Interaction Design Foundation, etc.

• Projects: Even if they’re self-initiated, describe them with clarity and purpose.

• Keywords from job descriptions: Use ATS-friendly language so your resume passes filters.

Your resume should clearly tell the story of your transition into UX and make it easy for a recruiter to see your value.

5. Apply for UX-Adjacent or Entry-Level Roles

Instead of applying only for “UX Designer” roles, look at adjacent positions where portfolios may not be as critical. Examples include:

• UX Research Assistant

• Product Designer Intern

• UX Writer

• Customer Experience Designer

• Junior Designer at startups

Startups and smaller companies often prioritize practical skills and a good attitude over polished portfolios. They may value your initiative, scrappiness, and willingness to grow.

6. Network Like Your Job Depends On It (Because It Does)

Referrals can dramatically improve your chances of landing interviews. Many UX roles are filled through internal recommendations rather than cold applications.

Here’s how to build your UX network:

• Attend virtual UX meetups or local design events.

• Join communities like Designer Hangout, ADP List, or UX Collective on Slack and LinkedIn.

• Reach out to junior designers and ask how they broke in—people love to share.

• Request coffee chats (virtual or real) and ask for feedback on your journey.

Don’t ask for a job—ask for advice. If the conversation goes well, opportunities may follow.

7. Do UX Design Challenges

Design challenges are short exercises that help you build skills and content for your portfolio.

Some platforms:

• Daily UI

• UX Challenge

• Briefbox

Document your design process for each challenge. Even a single, well-thought-out exercise can show your ability to solve real-world problems.8. Consider Freelancing or Volunteering

You don’t need a full-time role to gain real UX experience. Try:

• Freelance on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Contra.

• Volunteer for nonprofits via Catchafire or Taproot.

• Approach local businesses and offer UX help for free or low cost.

One or two real-world projects can instantly boost your credibility. And they give you great content for your resume and eventual portfolio.

9. Practice Interviewing and Design Communication

If you get an interview, you may be asked to walk through a project—even if it's not in a formal portfolio. Practice talking through your process, explaining your design choices, and answering behavioral questions like:

• “Tell me about a time you solved a problem creatively.”

• “How do you handle feedback?”

• “What’s your design process?”

Clarity and communication are just as important as visuals.

10. Be Transparent and Show Your Passion

If you don’t have a portfolio, be upfront—but show how you’re compensating for it. You might say:

“I’m transitioning into UX and still building my formal portfolio. In the meantime, I’ve completed a redesign project where I conducted user interviews and prototyped a mobile app, which I’d be happy to walk you through.”

Pair this honesty with a genuine passion for UX, and you'll stand out from others who are just “checking boxes.”

Final Thoughts

Getting a UX job without a portfolio is hard—but not impossible. It requires creativity, persistence, and a willingness to take initiative. Instead of waiting until everything is “perfect,” start small. Build case studies from personal or volunteer projects. Share your process in public. Network with others in the field. And most importantly, don’t let perfectionism delay your progress.

Remember, UX is about solving problems and putting users first. If you can demonstrate that mindset—even without a fancy portfolio—you’re already on your way.

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