What actually makes a hiring manager say yes

A common assumption in this market is that getting hired comes down to having a stronger portfolio.I don’t think that’s wrong.I just don’t think it’s sufficient.Hiring managers rarely make decisions by scoring artifacts. They decide based on certaint...

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Dec 18, 2025
What changed for Jeff

A short story you may recognize.Jeff was laid off in October.He had solid experience, but a few short stints that made his story feel harder to explain.By his own account, he was second-guessing how he came across and what hiring managers were actual...

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Dec 17, 2025
When the end keeps going quiet

If you’re an experienced UX or product designer, this might feel familiar.You apply.You get interviews.Sometimes you even make it to the final round.And then it stops.No offer.Little feedback.Just enough silence to make you wonder what you’re missing...

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Dec 17, 2025
Before January gets loud

There’s a quiet window right now that most people miss.Between now and January, the market isn’t moving fast.Hiring managers are closing loops. Teams are resetting.Very little is posted, but a lot is being decided.For experienced UX and product desig...

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Dec 16, 2025
When your effort is high, but your signal is low

So that same client (i mentioned in yesterday's email) told me something else.His wife could hear his interviews from the other room.After one call, she said:“you didn’t sound that interested.”That stings.But she was right.He admitted it.One foot sti...

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Dec 14, 2025
He did everything “right” and still got 0 offers

I had a call this week with a senior product designer.He’s about six months into a job search.He has two kids.One is around three.He’s done what most people would do.He applied to roles online.He took a portfolio course during the search.He kept adju...

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Dec 13, 2025
I didn’t expect this result

Hey,Last week, I put out a small quiz for experienced UX and Product designers.Nothing fancy.Just a quick mirror.About 16 people took it.Most were senior.Lead.Principal.People who’ve shipped real work.What surprised me wasn’t skill.It was direction.A...

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Dec 12, 2025
After coaching 500+ designers… I built this for you

Hey friend,After coaching designers across the US, UK, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Singapore…I noticed something surprising.Most designers aren’t stuck because they lack skill.They’re stuck because they’re misaligned.Wrong roles.Wrong environments...

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Dec 05, 2025