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Tired of Take-Home Challenges That Waste Your Time?

Published 25 days ago • 2 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.

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Use code THIRTYOFF at checkout to save your seat.

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​Join now!​

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Now, let’s talk about something every UX candidate dreads...

Take-Home Challenges

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You’ve made it past the recruiter screen.

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You nailed the portfolio review.

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Now comes the dreaded next step:

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​“We’d like to send over a 'small' take-home challenge.”

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These assignments are meant to assess your skills, but more often than not feel like unpaid freelance work.

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So how do you protect your time and stand out?

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Here’s how I coach my clients to approach take-homes strategically.

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Step 1: Understand the Intent

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Before you even start, ask:

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  • What is this challenge really testing?
  • Is the goal to assess visual design, product thinking, UX process, or communication?

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This helps you tailor your response to what they care about most and avoid wasting time on areas they won’t evaluate.

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Step 2: Set Clear Boundaries

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If the challenge asks for a full end-to-end solution but only gives you 48 hours, it’s okay to scope down and explain your reasoning.

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For example:

“Given the time constraints, I chose to focus on [X] because it’s the core user flow. If I had more time, I’d expand into [Y and Z].”

This shows maturity, prioritization skills, and product thinking which are all things hiring managers value. In fact, there's a good chance approaching your solution this way will get you ahead of your competition!

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Step 3: Focus on Process, Not Polish

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Most candidates jump straight into Figma.
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Strong candidates start with clarity.

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Even if your visuals aren’t perfect, what matters most is:

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  • Framing the problem clearly
  • Walking through your decisions step-by-step
  • Communicating trade-offs and user impact

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Think of it less like a final deliverable, and more like a conversation starter.

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Bonus Tip: Wrap With a Reflection

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Just like in interviews, ending with a reflection helps you stand out.

Even one sentence like:

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“If this were a real-world project, I’d collaborate with engineering and data to validate this direction before scaling.”

…can show you’re thinking beyond the pixels.

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Need Help With a Challenge Right Now?

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1:1 coaching can help you:

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  • Scope realistically so you don’t overwork
  • Focus on strategy over deliverables
  • Present your work in a way that highlights your thinking and impact

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Book a coaching session today!

Or save your spot in the next Level^Up cohort, where you’ll learn about take-home strategy, portfolio development, storytelling, and resume upgrades with live feedback and structured support.

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Don’t forget: 30% off ends Sunday at midnight. Use code THIRTYOFF.

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​Sign up here​

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You don’t need to burn yourself out to land your next role.
You just need the right framework and a little guidance.

Until next time,​
David Campana

Level^Up

Ex-Apple, WeWork, Verizon | Top 1% Mentor on ADPList​
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P.S. Next issue, I’ll share how to make your portfolio reviews stand out, what hiring managers are scanning for in the first 30 seconds, and how to hold their attention beyond your landing page.

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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.

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