www.xochitlmarquez.com

Posted in:Favors Job Hunting Welcome Career Growth

Hi Elpha Community,

I hope everyone is doing well :)

I have been in the job market since October 2023 due to layoffs. I have previous experience as a UX Designer at Amazon and T-Mobile, but I have found it incredibly challenging to secure a full-time job since then. I have tailored my resume, networked, revamped my portfolio, created new case studies, and used job search tools outside of LinkedIn, and so far things have not exactly worked out in my favor. Thankfully, I have been able to freelance on the side, but I am still seeking a full-time job.

I would appreciate assistance from a mentor, career coach, or tech recruiter to help me navigate this time.

Happy to connect,

Xochitl Marquez

www.linkedin.com/in/xochitlmarquez

www.xochitlmarquez.com

kaitlingraham·Sep 30

@kimwilkes works at Zapier, maybe she can help you out?

kimwilkes·Oct 03

Thanks for thinking of me, @kaitlingraham!

Iynna·Oct 01

And then @samanthajohnson8 is looking https://elpha.com/posts/hkzhphkv/life-science-careers-software-science-product-sales-and-more?hid=fdee95l4#ngmy4e0c

xochitlmarquez·Oct 01

thank you!

Iynna·Oct 02

I've shared this with other elphas before but I am sharing with you in case you haven't seen yet- elpha.com/c/job-board - lots of roles being shared here by community members- elpha.com/jobs for our elpha partners companies- join my fund talent network https://jobs.thembafund.com/onboarding to stay up to date on all our companies openings :) we have a LOT of roles- and this https://elpha.com/posts/97mxpmj5/job-opportunities

xochitlmarquez·Oct 03

thank you so much!

kimwilkes·Oct 03

Hey Xochitl,First of all, thank you for being vulnerable and sharing this with the community. I know that's not easy to do. But, I've always found that others can't/don't know how to help you if you don't ask for it. I commend you for that!I completely understand how challenging this job market can be, especially after layoffs. It sounds like you've already taken great steps with tailoring your resume, networking, and updating your portfolio. Here are some other tips that might help you move forward:- Leverage Your Freelance Experience: If you haven't, highlight your freelance work on your resume and LinkedIn as ongoing, professional experience. This not only fills potential gaps but also showcases your adaptability and ability to continue producing work in different environments.- Reach Out for Informational Interviews or Chats: Sometimes job opportunities come from conversations rather than job applications. Since you’ve worked at big names like Amazon and T-Mobile, try reaching out to ex-colleagues or others in the industry for informational interviews. This helps you expand your network and opens the door to unlisted opportunities.- Expand Your Portfolio with New Tech: If you haven’t already, look into integrating newer tools or methods (like AI or automation in design) into your portfolio. Even a small project showcasing these skills can give you an edge in a competitive market. There are a lot of neat tools we've built here at Zapier that you could take a look at!- Get Active in UX Communities: Communities like Dribbble, Behance, or UX Mastery could offer new networking and job opportunities. Consider posting your work and getting feedback in these spaces, which might attract recruiters or employers.- Work with a Career Coach: Since you're open to career coaching, you could look into platforms like The Muse or Clarity.fm, which have career coaches specializing in UX design and the tech industry. This could provide you with personalized guidance for your specific situation.- Attend Virtual UX/Tech Conferences: Attending or even presenting at virtual events and UX conferences can boost your visibility. Platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite often list events where recruiters are also scouting for talent.There's a lot here, but I hope these spark some new ideas! I'll be thinking of you!

GiselleGalper·Oct 03

@xochitlmarquez.comA few ideas: 1. Contrarian: You don't say why you don't want to freelance, but if you need better insurance/benefits, consider hanging up your own shingle and getting insurance as a small business2. Get advice from the career help agent we've built. Here's a free use: https://portal.cheaseed.com/offer/FRGSUM24. If you want more free use, reach out to us through the help desk and I'll put you in a free group3. Focus on companies with recent C and D rounds (find them on Crunchbase). They are scaling up.4. Attend live meetups for startups (I know you said you've networked, but in case you haven't done this)5. Women in Cloud has amazing job search stuff. You can use it free. JP Morgan seems to have some type of virtual job fairs with them and so other large diversity focused companies.