Adapting to a New Era in Design Careers: Why the UX Dream Job Didn’t Go as Planned
Image created by the author using AI-image generator. No real-world reference photo used.
UX CAREER; A LONG SHOT
Are you finding yourself in a constant loop of job applications, chasing that next UX or product design role? You’re not alone. Lately, it feels like thousands of us are stuck in the same cycle endlessly searching, rarely landing. And at some point, the pattern becomes hard to ignore: something about the job market feels off.
At the same time, I started noticing a shift in how people present themselves. Colleagues who once had clean, one-line titles that now carry bios that read like mini-résumés:
It’s a subtle but telling change, one that reflects how people are responding to a tougher, more crowded job market.
But also, no offence to that. It’s actually a clever strategy when you think about it. By including multiple keywords in your LinkedIn headline, you can boost your chances of showing up in recruiter searches. After all, LinkedIn’s algorithm tends to favor keyword-rich profiles.
A single title like “UX Designer” may not fully capture someone’s range of skills. That’s why many opt for headlines like:
“Product Designer | UX/UI Expert | Human-Centered Design Thinker”, which is a quick way to communicate versatility and signal value at a glance.
That said, it’s important the keywords are relevant and connected. Listing unrelated skills, like “Senior Product Designer (UI/UX) | Design Lead | SaaS & Mobile | IoT | B2B & B2C” can come off as unfocused or even desperate. It may end up confusing recruiters rather than impressing them. In many cases, a clean, well-targeted headline still wins. Recruiters often appreciate clarity over cleverness. But what’s clear is this: the market isn’t just competitive — it’s evolving. And we’re all adapting in real time.
FIGHTING THE WRONG BATTLE
A few years ago, landing a UX/UI job felt almost effortless. You didn’t chase opportunities, they chased you. Between 2016 and late 2022, I could count on a steady stream of job offers landing right in my inbox. Companies reached out directly, and recruiters messaged me with lines like, “We’ve got the perfect opportunity for you!” sometimes they actually did.
Honestly, it felt safe, like I had a UX safety net. I could change jobs whenever I wanted, no stress, no drama. But when the time actually came to move on, to explore a new field, step into a new industry, it hit differently. I wasn’t that “wide-eyed junior” anymore who fits neatly into every team. I was experienced, specialized and apparently, not the easiest puzzle piece to fit into just any company.
The market had changed. The tone of those recruiter messages (the few that still came) had changed. And I realized: this isn’t just my job hunt, this is the story of a shifting industry.
At the same time, I couldn’t help but recall the never-ending identity crisis that haunted the design world for years: “Just because you’re a graphic designer doesn’t mean you’re a UXUI designer.” Or the classic, “UI isn’t UX.” or “Figma expert is just a pixel-pusher, not a UX Designer” And my personal favorite: “If you’re a developer, please stay in your Figma-free lane.”
It was a golden age of title gatekeeping, when we guarded job labels like they were vintage Star Wars collectibles.
And then there was the “design thinking” craze. It was everywhere, repeated so often it nearly lost all meaning. But we clung to it. We were UX/UI people, after all, very special, almost from another planet, armed with tools like empathy maps, affinity diagrams, and enough sticky notes to wallpaper the moon.
Now, it’s déjà vu, but this time, the buzzword is “Product Designer.” Instead of joining forces in the face of a brutal job market, we’re stuck in petty beef over titles. UX vs. Product Design. UI vs. UX. Again. Like a rerun we didn’t ask for.
But maybe this shift means something else. Maybe it’s not the end of UX, it is a redefinition. The value is still there, but it matters in a different way now. Less about owning the label, more about adapting the craft.
WHEN THE STICKY NOTES STOP STICKING: WHAT TO ACTUALLY DO NOW
Reframe, Refocus, Redesign: Your UX Career Isn’t Over
These days, it feels like everyone does UX. Or at least claims to! Product managers, developers, marketers, even AI tools are expected to understand UX principles.
So the question is: what do we, “actual UX professionals” need to do?
Here’s the play:
Pick your battles: You can’t do it all. Decide where you want to be a generalist (maybe collaboration, storytelling, or design systems), and where you’ll go deep, like usability testing, principle design, or accessibility.
Choose your arena: Industries aren’t one-size-fits-all. Once you’re in B2B, it’s not so easy to jump ship to B2C, or from e-commerce to medtech, gaming, IoT, or automotive isn’t always easy. Each sector has its own pace, culture, and expectations. Switching lanes later can be tough, choose wisely my friend.
Master your toolbox
Being a Figma pro is great, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Go deeper. User testing isn’t just dropping a heatmap plugin into your design, it’s about understanding real human behavior. Start exploring tools like Maze, Mupixa, or Canva to test and validate your ideas. And when it comes to research, focus on asking the right questions. That’s where the magic starts, where timeless design and truly sustainable solutions begin to take shape. And don’t sleep on AI. Learn how to integrate it into your design process , whether it’s for idea generation, user insights, or streamlining workflows.
As Ioana Teleanu said: “AI won’t replace a designer, but a designer using AI will.”
UX isn’t a flex anymore
Ten years ago, UX was cutting-edge. Now? It’s the baseline. If you’re just “doing UX,” you’re blending in, not standing out. Today’s companies are looking for T-shaped designers, people with deep UX knowledge and cross-functional skills. That’s where the role of the Product Designercomes in: part strategist, part researcher, part technologist. It’s no longer just about wireframes — it’s about impact.
Bottom line: Adaptation is the new UX superpower. With roles shifting and titles blurring, and the only thing that’s clear? standing still isn’t an option.
KEEP YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME
Right now, you need to focus on two things — the Now and the Next.
The Now is: what are you actually good at today?
What tools are in your pocket? What can you confidently say you bring to the table? What kind of designer are you, really?
And then there’s the Next:
What are you not doing yet, but should be? Is it AI? Data-driven design? Accessibility? UX strategy? go get it. Start small. Watch tutorials. Build a side project. Learn new things. We’re in a fast-moving digital world. And while the craft we grew up with still has soul, it’s no longer enough on its own.
Tradition is part of your identity — but don’t let it become your limitation.
You gotta move.
You gotta learn.
Constantly.
Image created by the author using AI-image generator. No real-world reference photo used.
DON’T JUST SHOW WHAT YOU BUILT — SHOW WHO YOU ARE.
Now, let’s talk portfolios. Ugh, I know.
They’re overwhelming. They always feel half-done. But here’s the trick: don’t treat it like a gallery. Treat it like a story. Show you and how you think, what you value, what kind of problems you solve. Ditch the templated case studies. Seriously. No one wants another “Redesign of Spotify.”
Be specific. Be real.
And only apply where your work actually fits. Spray-and-pray doesn’t work anymore.
The market’s tough. But you? You’re still here.
And that means you’re not done yet.
KEEP YOUR PIXELS SHARP
So maybe it’s not easy. Maybe it’s not fair. But here you are, still designing, still applying, still hoping and that counts for something. The truth? The need for human-centered design hasn’t gone anywhere, it’s just wearing a different face.
But It’s a long shot, yes. And some of the best things always are.
I wrote this for all the UX folks stuck in the job hunt spiral, think of it as a pep talk with tips. From telling your story and leveling up your portfolio to decoding the whole job title drama, it’s all about helping you show up like the rockstar you are.
Oh! Speaking of mastering your toolbox in this article, try out Mupixa, a usability testing tool worth exploring, especially with all its brand-new features.
If you’re struggling with your title or want feedback on your portfolio, let’s catch up, I’m happy to help!
Sources:
https://www.businessinsider.com/blind-anonymous-tech-job-site-anxiety-layoffs-hiring-ugly-2025-6
