UX Skills Hiring Managers Actually Notice
UX Skills That Get You Hired
You’ve seen the job descriptions.
“3+ years in UX design.”
“Proficiency in Figma, Sketch, or similar tools.”
“Strong understanding of user-centered design principles.”
Blah, blah, blah.
Here’s the reality: most hiring managers don’t pick candidates based on who ticks the most boxes.
They pick the people who show real UX leadership—even if that leadership isn’t in the bullet points.
This newsletter is about the hidden skills that hiring managers look for. The skills that make you not just “hireable”—but unforgettable.
Why technical skills alone aren’t enough anymore
Traits hiring managers notice first
Showing these skills without bragging
Why your portfolio needs more than screens
Landing Your Dream UX Career
More Tips on Landing Your Dream UX Career
Resource Corner
Why Technical Skills Alone Aren’t Enough Anymore
In today’s market, it’s assumed you know how to use Figma.
It’s assumed you understand user journeys.
Those aren’t differentiators anymore.
They’re table stakes.
What companies actually want are UXers who:
Communicate clearly under pressure
Advocate for users with evidence, not just emotion
Make collaboration smoother, not harder
See the problem behind the problem
These aren't skills you list—they're skills you show.
👀 The Hidden UX Skills Hiring Managers Are Watching For
Here’s what experienced managers quietly watch for during interviews, whiteboard challenges, and even your emails:
1. Clarity of Thought
Can you explain why you made a design decision in a way that a non-designer understands?
✅ Instead of: "Because it's best practice,"
✅ Try: "We chose this pattern because it matches users' mental models, reduces cognitive load, and speeds up decision-making."
Clear thinking signals that you’ll be clear when stakes are high.
2. Curiosity Over Ego
Are you still learning—or defending your way of doing things?
Ask thoughtful questions during interviews.
Admit when something surprised you in user testing.
Show how feedback shaped your project.
Curiosity signals that you’re coachable, flexible, and growth-minded.
3. Problem Framing
Do you define the problem better than the brief does?
Many "good" designers jump to solutions.
Great designers pause and ask: "Are we solving the right thing?"
Framing the problem better shows leadership—without needing a title.
4. Collaborative Energy
Would a PM or developer want to work with you on a tough sprint?
Small signals matter:
Do you explain things clearly without jargon?
Do you invite others’ ideas and feedback?
Can you navigate disagreement without making it personal?
5. Evidence-Driven Thinking
Can you connect your decisions back to real users or real data?
Even if you didn’t have a formal research phase—what past insights, heuristics, or proxy signals did you use?
Hiring managers love UXers who design from insight, not instinct alone.
How to Show These Skills Without Bragging
Tell case study stories, not just project timelines.
Share challenges, pivots, and what you learned—not just what you made.Use real language.
Ditch the jargon. If you can’t explain your work to your non-UX friend in 30 seconds, work on your clarity.Frame failures as growth.
Everyone has a messy project. Share one—but focus on what changed in your approach afterward.
Your Portfolio Needs More Than Screenshots
A portfolio full of polished UI is fine.
But a portfolio that shows how you think is what gets remembered.
Add a short paragraph under each project:
What was the biggest problem you had to reframe?
What surprised you during research or testing?
What tradeoffs did you have to make—and why?
Screens get skimmed.
Stories get read.
This is Closest Thing to a “Cheat Code” For Landing Your Dream UX Career
If you're navigating the competitive landscape of UX research job hunting, you're not alone. Kevin Liang, a seasoned UX researcher with experience at companies like Google, Uber, and Volkswagen, has crafted a course designed to demystify the hiring process and equip you with the tools to succeed.
In his course, Landing Your Dream User Research Career, Kevin shares innovative strategies that have helped numerous individuals secure positions at top companies.
💡 But here's the exciting part: Kevin will also be joining us at UXCon25!
If you found Kevin's insights in Landing Your Dream User Research Career valuable, wait until you experience him live at UXCon '25! Kevin is not just a course creator; he's a seasoned UX strategist with over 14 years of experience, having led research at industry giants like Google, Uber, and Volkswagen.
He's also the founder of Zero to UX, a platform dedicated to mentoring the next generation of UX professionals.
If you're serious about elevating your career and connecting with industry leaders, this is an opportunity you can't afford to miss.
PS: Early bird prices end this Thursday on the 1st of May
📚 Resource Corner: Build Your Real UX Skillset
Final Thought: It’s Not Just What You Make—It’s How You Move
You’ll always be judged on your deliverables.
But the UXers who thrive aren’t just the ones who ship pretty work.
They’re the ones who make teams move smarter, faster, and more clearly.
The ones who explain complexity simply.
The ones who can flex without losing sight of users.
In UX, as in life, how you move through the work matters just as much as the work itself.