There are LOTS of definitions of "User Experience" as a field.
And then also, LOTS of definitions in terms of expectations of what the job should entail. Most companies don't have a "mature vision" of what to expect, or how to integrate the UX person into their larger product cycle.
I was trained to look at the overall picture, always get input from the end-user and to keep in mind the business requirements. Also, from the business POV, to keep in mind the ENTIRE Customer Experience within the overall process. The customer clicks a buy button online, but every interaction with the brand prior to that is a huge influence. The abandonment rate does not exist only online.
When you hear about "growing job opportunities" within the UX field, most are for short term contracts described below. Note to the beginning UX'er: BEWARE!!
Quoting from an email on a (closed) UX professionals listserv:
"Sadly, the majority of companies here still have a shockingly poor level of understanding and many wrong assumptions about what we do (same goes for most of the recruiters). Consequently, there are as many if not more short term contract openings than permanent positions. Contracting companies expect a UX-er to parachute in for 3-6 months, learn what needs to be done by osmosis, play analyst, evangelizer, product manager, then kick out great designs (and production quality code, in many cases)."
These calls require a person to be a Developer/Coder AND a Designer AND a Researcher AND an expert in the product AND . . . It's terrific if you can do 2 roles at once, but be aware that the other roles will suffer. You may not notice this until a certain overwhelming feeling comes over you and you realize there are not 48 hours in a day.
You are set up for failure by the very length of the contract. Companies expect you to work magic on one project, and even if you do-there is not always funding for your role on the next one. Just when you have managed to negotiate every turn and are an expert at the office politics, you find yourself in the revolving door. As if the nature of the job were more focused on a Magic Wand, rather than a deep understanding of the product and user.
Look for companies who have a TEAM of UX people, or a firm which focuses on research (Bentley's Design & Usability Center) and lets the firm negotiate the politics for you. If you are the only UX person in the entire company, you definitely have your work cut out for you. (Another phrase to be wary of!)
And then also, LOTS of definitions in terms of expectations of what the job should entail. Most companies don't have a "mature vision" of what to expect, or how to integrate the UX person into their larger product cycle.
I was trained to look at the overall picture, always get input from the end-user and to keep in mind the business requirements. Also, from the business POV, to keep in mind the ENTIRE Customer Experience within the overall process. The customer clicks a buy button online, but every interaction with the brand prior to that is a huge influence. The abandonment rate does not exist only online.
When you hear about "growing job opportunities" within the UX field, most are for short term contracts described below. Note to the beginning UX'er: BEWARE!!
Quoting from an email on a (closed) UX professionals listserv:
"Sadly, the majority of companies here still have a shockingly poor level of understanding and many wrong assumptions about what we do (same goes for most of the recruiters). Consequently, there are as many if not more short term contract openings than permanent positions. Contracting companies expect a UX-er to parachute in for 3-6 months, learn what needs to be done by osmosis, play analyst, evangelizer, product manager, then kick out great designs (and production quality code, in many cases)."
These calls require a person to be a Developer/Coder AND a Designer AND a Researcher AND an expert in the product AND . . . It's terrific if you can do 2 roles at once, but be aware that the other roles will suffer. You may not notice this until a certain overwhelming feeling comes over you and you realize there are not 48 hours in a day.
You are set up for failure by the very length of the contract. Companies expect you to work magic on one project, and even if you do-there is not always funding for your role on the next one. Just when you have managed to negotiate every turn and are an expert at the office politics, you find yourself in the revolving door. As if the nature of the job were more focused on a Magic Wand, rather than a deep understanding of the product and user.
Look for companies who have a TEAM of UX people, or a firm which focuses on research (Bentley's Design & Usability Center) and lets the firm negotiate the politics for you. If you are the only UX person in the entire company, you definitely have your work cut out for you. (Another phrase to be wary of!)
Comments