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A current bootcamp student recently reached out to me on LinkedIn. She asked for some advice for someone who is about to graduate. Here are my top few tips:

1. Learn Figma or Sketch.

Once you get a job, you’ll need to know how to manage files and do visual design(depending if you want to focus on UX research, UX design or UI design)

2. Read “2 Hour Job Search”.

I used that as my job hunt strategy. I identified an industry I wanted to get into, and didn’t settle until I found an opening.

The TLDR of the book is this — Identify 100 companies you’re interested in working for. Narrow it down to your top 10. Figure out who your connections are. Establish warmer relationships. Ask for an interview (be it formal or informational).

3. It’s Ok to negotiate your salary.

I currently work as a contractor for a non-profit. I thought I was junior level status and therefore only deserved 60k/yr.

But then I thought about all the other design experience I have from my previous jobs. Before I accepted the offer, I re-negotiated with my manager for something even higher!

4. It’s ok to get a not-so-glamorous job.

Bootcamp only scratches the surface of what you need to know in order to break into the industry.

Be real with yourself-do you have enough experience and skills with the design software in the industry to start off at Google or Apple? Sometimes you need to “Eat the Frog” and start with a low or non paying job (if you can afford it) in order to gain valuable experience to prepare you for your dream job.

That job will still be there, but you gotta make sure you’re ready for it!

5. Try to join a company with a design team.

Being a fresh bootcamp graduate and the only designer on my team is hard. I wish I were on a team of designers instead. Being part of a team will allow you to learn from other Senior designers who can help mold and refine your craft.

6. Network!

Join your local Meetup Group. Connect with people on LinkedIn. Reconnect with your old college professors if you have to. You might find a senior designer who can mentor you, or find a position within your area by being part of a Meetup Group.

7. Learn how to articulate your design decisions.

You’ll have to get buy in from stakeholders, so don’t take criticism so personally, and know how to persuade people.

8. When interviewing, tell a story.

Your personal brand should be your story. Hiring mangers are gonna be interested in who you are as a person to see if you fit within their company culture. They want to get to know you, just as much as how competent you are for the job.

9. It’s okay to not know it all, just start somewhere.

You’ll learn as you go on the job. You can always ask for help. Your managers and mentors are there to support you.