© SARAH DOODY 2019 UX PORTFOLIO FORMULATM
IN 2007 I TRANSFORMED MY
UX PORTFOLIO, GOT MORE
INTERVIEWS, AND WAS
HIRED BY A STARTUP IN NYC


I did it by treating my UX portfolio like an UX project.

✓ Researched the “users” of my portfolio

✓ Focused on the content first and didn’t jump right to design

✓ Considered the experience of my portfolio, resume, and more

✓ Had an real plan with dates, deadlines, and feedback

That UX portfolio helped me get full time jobs, consistent freelance

clients, and amazing opportunities in the UX industry.

Now, i’m dedicated to helping UX professionals like you create a UX

portfolio that stands out so you can get hired. 



No more rushing to finish your portfolio when unexpected portfolios come
up. No more not applying to roles because your portfolio isn’t ready. 



Imagine having a framework for how to talk about your process and and
tell the story of each project, not just in your portfolio but during interviews
and even in your daily role with colleagues and clients.



With a portfolio you are confident in, you’ll be more prepared for interviews
and you will keep that imposter feeling at bay. 



There are 2 ways I can help you in your UX career right now ….






© SARAH DOODY 2019 UX PORTFOLIO FORMULATM
01: UX PORTFOLIO FORMULA


What it’s all about? UX Portfolio Formula is a self paced online program that
teaches the exact steps to choose your projects, write effective case studies
and layout your UX portfolio. 


UX Portfolio Formula is for you if:

✓ You want to finally have a UX portfolio you’re proud of.

✓ You’re tired of not being able to apply to roles because your portfolio is
not finished.
✓ You already have a portfolio and want to take it to version 2.0 so that you
get more interviews.


But it is NOT for you if … you want to learn how to do UX. You will not learn
how to do UX and you will not receive project briefs for practice project.



Learn more right here: 

www.uxportfolioformula.com/online-course


“I followed Sarah’s advice and landed with a

portfolio I was proud of.
I submitted my resume to 4 large companies,
landed 2nd interviews with them, got 2 amazing
offers, AND GOT HIRED!
I’m now a UX Architect with a 72% pay increase …
LIFE CHANGING!”



- Katie, UX Architect at Bayer Crop Science



© SARAH DOODY 2019 UX PORTFOLIO FORMULATM
02: THRIVE UX CAREER COACHING


What’s it all about?

THRIVE is a 3-month accelerator to help you with your UX portfolio, job

search, and interview preparations.



The 3-month UX career coaching is right for you if:

✓ You want to get hired into a new UX role in the next 3 - 4 months.
✓ You are not brand new and are not still learning how to actually do UX.
✓ You are ready to be laser focused on your UX portfolio, job search, and
interview prep for 3 months.


But this is NOT for you if … you have interviews and offers and just want
some quick advice. Or, if you can’t invest financially in your career right now.


Interested? Learn more right here: 


www.uxportfolioformula.com/ux-career-coaching

“Sarah took my career to the next level and I got

hired as a UX designer at Home Depot! 



She provided me with so much one-on-one
guidance on my portfolio and helped me prepare
for interviews. I owe so much to her for all that
she's done!"


- Abriel, UX Designer at Home Depot



© SARAH DOODY 2019 UX PORTFOLIO FORMULATM
10 QUESTIONS TO CRITIQUE YOUR
UX PORTFOLIO


Hey friend,

So you’re making your UX portfolio? Or, maybe you’re tweaking one you’ve
had for a while. I’ve been in your shoes. I’ve sat in front of my computer for
hours and hours, trying to figure out …

• Where do I start?
• What do people want to see?
• What will help make me stand out?

I’ve seen a ton of UX portfolios over the course of my career. I’ve learned a
lot through making my portfolio. And, I’ve interviewed a lot of UX hiring
managers and recruiters … so I know how they think.

Before you submit your UX portfolio, take a few minutes to ask yourself
these questions to make sure you’re answering all the questions that are
important to the people looking at your UX portfolio. 



Good luck!
Sarah Doody



Founder of The UX Portfolio School



© SARAH DOODY 2019 UX PORTFOLIO FORMULATM
1. Am I clear on my skills as a designer?

Titles in the field of UX mean different things to different people.
Don’t just put your title. Be specific about the skills you have. User
interviews? Analytics? Prototyping? Facilitating? What are your hard
core skills? 


2. Do I know what type of UX designer I am? 


Yes, many people are a UX team of one. But, there are distinct areas
of UX. Are you a Researcher, Experience Designer, Visual Designer,
Content Strategist, Product Strategist, Front End Developer? You
have to state the type of designer you’re in, but then be specific and
also tell us your skills. 


3. What type of role do I want as my next job?


It’s always more attractive to hear someone say exactly what they
want. It doesn't seem proud, it seems like they are confident in who
they are and where they are in their career. Be specific about what
you want. Do you want to get into management? Do you want to put
a skill to use that’s currently underutilized?


4. What type of company do I want to work at?


Not everyone is cut out for a startup. Some people thrive in a big
company and others have the life sucked out of them. Which are
you? Get clear about this before you apply anywhere so you can
focus your energy into the positions that suit you best. Also, you’ll
want to tailor your portfolio projects to these types of companies.




© SARAH DOODY 2019 UX PORTFOLIO FORMULATM
5. Would I like to specialize in a certain area of UX?

Do you want to do more of something? More research? More
content strategy? Less visual design? Think about what you love
doing right now and what you want to do less of. This will help you
figure out what roles to actually apply to. 


6. Do the projects in my portfolio provide evidence of the

skills I say I have as a designer?

If you say you are a user researcher, your portfolio better have at
least one amazing research project in it. And it better be very
detailed about the problem, method, process, and insights. If you
say you have a skill but that skill isn’t reflected in your portfolio, then
we won't believe you. 


7. Do the projects in my portfolio go beyond pretty pictures?


Could someone seeing the projects for the first time know the high
level problem being solved, method used, your specific
responsibilities and contribution, and the outcome? Do you provide
context for all the visuals? 


8. Would you be excited to talk through the projects in more

detail in an interview?

When you get an interview, you’ll have to talk through the projects in
more detail. If you’re not excited about the projects in your portfolio,
you’re not going to do well in the interview. 




© SARAH DOODY 2019 UX PORTFOLIO FORMULATM
9. Do the products in your portfolio represent the type of
work you want to do in the future? 

If you’ve been stuck doing a type of work you don't want to do in the
future (eg. a specific industry) then try not to have your whole
portfolio be representative of that. Try to have examples of work
related to what you want to do in the future, even if that is a mock
project you do on your own.


10. Did you have someone proofread your portfolio?


It seems obvious, but we’re all guilty of this. Have someone
proofread your portfolio. Catch those spelling mistakes that we all
make, including me!

That’s all i have for you!

I hope these questions help you improve your UX portfolio and avoid
common mistakes that you definitely don’t want to make!

In your corner,

Sarah Doody

Founder of The UX Portfolio Formula



PS: When you’re ready to take your UX portfolio to the next level, come
join UX Portfolio Formula: www.uxportfolioformula.com/online-course



© SARAH DOODY 2019 UX PORTFOLIO FORMULATM
 HELLO AGAIN … HERE ARE 3 WAYS

I CAN HELP WITH YOUR CAREER.

Join the UX Portfolio & Careers Tribe


A free Facebook group.

Join The Tribe

Enroll in UX Portfolio Formula


An on-demand online course.

Enroll Today

Apply For UX Career Coaching


Sarah’s 3-month UX career accelerator.

Apply Now



© SARAH DOODY 2019 UX PORTFOLIO FORMULATM