Helping UX professionals land six-figure jobs has taught me one thing: success comes from ideas you act on.

As I reflect on the key lessons that shaped my career and my clients’ successes, I’ve boiled them down to 11 big ideas:

1) Applications Aren’t Offers

I used to think sending more applications would get me closer to the right job. But job boards are crowded rooms, and the best roles are in the hidden job market. Focus on creating tailored offers, not submitting endless applications.

2) Minimum Valuable Pitch

A perfect portfolio doesn’t get you noticed. A single well-crafted slide deck, sent to the right decision-maker, does. It’s not about how much you share—it’s about sharing what matters most.

3) Dream Company Discipline

You don’t need 100 companies. You need 10. The ones aligned with your skills, passions, and goals. Focusing on “Dream 10” companies lets you go deep and build connections that matter.

4) Insight Over Value

Don’t give everything away upfront. Instead of saying, “Here’s the full solution,” show them you understand the problem better than anyone else. Insights spark curiosity, while full answers delay decisions.

5) Momentum Matters

The more engaged someone is with you, the more likely they are to refer or hire you. Start small: a thoughtful LinkedIn comment, a personalized message. Build momentum by adding value at every step.

6) No Maybes

I don’t chase “maybes.” A clear yes or no saves time and energy. If someone’s not ready, move on. The energy spent chasing a weak lead could be spent building a strong connection.

7) Golden Goose Planning

Your first 90 days in a new role are critical. Plan them like a designer would plan a user journey—focused, intentional, and outcome-driven. Hiring managers love this approach because it shows you think ahead.

8) Believe in Your Worth

When I first started reaching out to hiring managers, I doubted myself. But believing in your worth changes everything. It’s not just about skills—it’s about showing you’re confident enough to solve big problems.

9) Content Isn’t Extra

The work you’re already doing is the content you need. Turn case studies, user research, and past projects into stories that hiring managers can see and trust.

10) Be Good. Not Just Nice.

Being “nice” gets you liked, but being “good” gets you hired. Focus on showing your impact—numbers, stories, and results. Respect comes from what you’ve done, not just how approachable you are.

11) Don’t Scale Someone Else’s Dream

Many UX professionals get stuck chasing what they think they “should” do—more certifications, more design trends, more projects. The real question is: what feels natural to you? Focus on that.

I’ve built these lessons into my UX Careerpreneur Model, which has helped hundreds of UX professionals land six-figure jobs.

If you’re ready to act on these ideas, you can grab all 16 workshops that teach you how—inside The UX Careerpreneur Xmas Store at 50% off.

👉 Click here to get started.

This includes tools like the Minimum Valuable Pitch, Golden Goose Plan, and Strategic Outreach System to help you stand out and land your dream job.

This offer ends Monday, Jan 6, 2025.

Let’s make 2025 your breakthrough year.

Cheers,

Joseph

P.S. Want personal help crafting your strategy? Check out the January Pass option on the page—it includes lifetime workshop access and my guidance until the end of January 2025.