profile

Level^Up

3 Reasons Your UX Portfolio Is Being Ignored (And How to Fix It)

Published 3 months ago • 4 min read

​
Issue #2: Is Your UX Portfolio Getting Ignored? Here’s How to Fix It

Many UX designers struggle to land interviews, even when they have a portfolio filled with projects. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone.

​

The reason is simple: most UX portfolios do not clearly communicate impact.

​

Hiring managers and recruiters spend less than 60 seconds scanning portfolios, and if yours does not immediately show your ability to solve real business problems, it will not stand out.

Need Help Refining Your Portfolio? How to Get Started:

​

Quick, On-Demand Solution

​

If you're looking for a self-paced, step-by-step guide to improve your resume and portfolio, check out my Udemy course. It’s perfect for designers who need a fast, affordable solution to enhance their resume and showcase measurable results.

​

What you’ll get: A results-driven resume guide, strategies for measurable impact, and lifetime access.

​

​Start the Udemy course now​

Personalized Feedback

​

If you need more personalized feedback, Power Hour sessions are the fastest way to get hands-on, one-on-one coaching. We’ll dive into your portfolio and resume to make sure you’re positioned for success in your job search.

​

What you’ll get: Hands-on feedback, case study review, mock interview practice, and a personalized job search strategy.

​

​Reserve your Power Hour now​

Full Job Search Overhaul

​

For those of you looking for comprehensive guidance, the Level^Up course is the complete UX job search accelerator. With live coaching and personalized feedback, you’ll leave no stone unturned in your job search.

​

What you’ll get: In-depth portfolio review, personalized resume feedback, live coaching, networking strategies, and interview prep.

​

​Join the next Level^Up cohort​

Three UX Portfolio Fixes That Will Get You More Interviews

​

Your portfolio is your most important tool in the UX job search. But if it is not structured correctly, it could be hurting your chances instead of helping them.

​

Here are the top three mistakes UX designers make in their portfolios - and how you can fix them.

1. Your homepage is cluttered and confusing.

​

A hiring manager does not want to search for your best work. If your homepage is packed with too many projects, unclear navigation, or lengthy introductions, they will lose interest and move on.

​

How to Fix It:

​

  • Feature only your top two or three case studies prominently at the top of the homepage.
  • Create a "Greatest Hits" section with links to your best projects.
  • Make sure your homepage immediately tells them who you are and what you do in one short sentence.

​

Hiring managers want a quick snapshot of your best work. If they have to dig, they will move on.

2. Your case studies are too long and lack clarity.​
​​
​A common mistake is treating case studies like research papers. Hiring managers do not have time to read through endless paragraphs to figure out what you did and why it mattered.

​

How to Fix It:

​

  • Use the Problem → Opportunity → Solution → Impact structure to make case studies scannable.
  • Keep each section concise and to the point - no more than 4-6 sentences per section.
  • Use visuals to break up text and communicate complex ideas quickly.

​

How to Improve Your Case Study Structure:

​

Before (Too Long & Unclear):
​"I was responsible for redesigning a website for an e-commerce brand. I conducted research, created wireframes, and developed prototypes to improve the shopping experience."

​

After (Concise & Impact-Driven):
​"Redesigned the e-commerce website checkout process, reducing cart abandonment by 18% through usability improvements and clearer CTA placement."

​

Your case studies should be easy to scan, visually engaging, and focused on results.

3. You are not showcasing measurable impact.

​

Many UX designers focus too much on what they did rather than how their work made a difference. Hiring managers want to see results.

​

How to Fix It:

​

Instead of saying, "Designed a new checkout flow," say:

  • "Redesigned checkout flow, reducing drop-offs by 18% and increasing conversions by 22%."

​

If you do not have exact metrics, use qualitative impact statements:

  • "Simplified information architecture, improving navigation and reducing user frustration."

​

Your portfolio should prove that you create real impact. If you are not showing measurable improvements, hiring managers will struggle to see your value.

Remote Work Insight: Finding Reliable Internet

​

When I moved to Mexico, one of my biggest concerns was finding stable internet to support remote work. Connectivity varies depending on location, but I quickly learned how to set up a reliable system.

​

Three things that helped me maintain a strong remote work setup:

​

  • Co-Working Spaces with High-Speed Internet – great for stable internet and connecting with a community of remote professionals.
  • Mobile Backup Plan – A prepaid SIM card with data gives me an alternative connection if WiFi goes down.
  • Checking Fiber Optic Availability – When renting an apartment, I always confirm internet speed with the provider before signing a lease.

​

If you plan to work remotely from another country, confirm your internet options in advance so you’re never caught without a reliable connection.

Time to Level^Up Your UX Portfolio

​

If your portfolio is not getting interviews, it is time for a strategic overhaul.

​

Inside the Level^Up UX Job Search Accelerator, you will learn exactly how to structure a high-impact portfolio that hiring managers want to see.

​

You'll also get:

​

  • A portfolio framework that makes you immediately stand out
  • A step-by-step case study structure that hiring managers actually read
  • Live coaching & personalized feedback on your resume and portfolio
  • Networking & interview strategies used by top designers to land roles at companies like Apple, WeWork, Verizon, and Upwork

​

Spots for the next cohort are filling fast! Secure your place today and get hired faster with a portfolio that makes an impact.

​

​Join the next Level^Up cohort now!​

Until next time,​
David Campana

Level^Up
​
P.S. Next time, I’ll show you how to use LinkedIn to land more UX interviews - even before jobs are posted. Most UX designers just apply for jobs and wait, but the best candidates use networking strategies that make hiring managers reach out to them first.

​

Level^Up

I share resume & portfolio critiques, hiring insights, and proven strategies to help UX designers get more interviews, get hired faster, and level up their careers.

Level^Up UX is for designers who want to get more interviews, get hired faster, and advance their careers. Subscribers gain access to actionable resume and portfolio critiques, hiring insights, and proven job search strategies to help them stand out in a competitive market.

Read more from Level^Up

Issue #13: Nail the ‘Tell me about yourself’ question Let’s talk about one of the most deceptively simple questions in UX interviews: “Tell me about yourself.” It sounds casual, but how you answer it can shape the entire interview. Unfortunately, most candidates either freeze, ramble, or recite their resume word-for-word. Keep reading to see how to respond to this question with confidence, clarity, and strategy. New: Level^Up in One Afternoon If you’ve wanted to join Level^Up but aren't able...

11 days ago • 2 min read

Issue #12: How to Pass the 30-Second Portfolio Test Most portfolios lose the reviewer in under 30 seconds. Here’s how to hold their attention and convert it into interviews Let’s talk about one of the most frustrating parts of the UX job search. You’ve worked hard on your portfolio. You’ve written up your case studies, added visuals, and even linked to your resume. But when you send it off? Crickets. The problem? Most hiring managers spend less than 30 seconds on a portfolio before deciding...

18 days ago • 3 min read

Issue #11: Tired of Take-Home Challenges That Waste Your Time? If you’ve been thinking about joining the next cohort of Level^Up, this is your chance to lock in 30% off, but only if you enroll before Sunday at midnight. Use code THIRTYOFF at checkout to save your seat. Join now! Now, let’s talk about something every UX candidate dreads... Take-Home Challenges You’ve made it past the recruiter screen. You nailed the portfolio review. Now comes the dreaded next step: “We’d like to send over a...

25 days ago • 2 min read