March 26, 2025

How to Land Your First Remote UX/UI Job (Even Without Experience)

‍Introduction

Landing your first remote UX/UI job can feel impossible when every listing asks for experience. But here’s the truth: many UX/UI designers break into the field without formal job experience—they just know how to position themselves the right way.

This guide provides a clear, step-by-step roadmap to building experience, creating a job-ready portfolio, and actually getting hired. Whether you're switching careers or starting fresh, these actionable tips will help you land your first remote UX/UI role.

Step 1: Learn UX/UI Fundamentals (Without Breaking the Bank)

Before applying to jobs, you need a solid foundation in UX/UI—but that doesn’t mean you have to spend years in school. Here’s how to learn UX/UI quickly and affordably:

Best Beginner-Friendly UX/UI Learning Resources

Google UX Design Certificate (affiliate link) – A structured, beginner-friendly course with real-world projects.
Designlab (affiliate link)– Hands-on UX/UI courses with mentorship from industry pros.
CareerFoundry (affiliate link)– A full UX/UI career program that includes job support.
YouTube & UX Blogs – Channels like AJ&Smart, NNGroup, and UX Collective offer high-quality free content.

What Skills Do You Actually Need?

You don’t need to master everything—just focus on these core UX/UI skills:

✅ User Research – Understanding user needs and behaviors.
✅ Wireframing & Prototyping – Using tools like Figma or Adobe XD to create designs.
✅ Usability Testing – Learning how to test designs and iterate based on feedback.
✅ Information Architecture – Organizing content to improve user experience.
✅ Visual & UI Design – Creating intuitive and aesthetically pleasing interfaces.

Pro Tip: Start small. Instead of trying to learn everything at once, focus on one skill at a time and apply it in real projects.

Step 2: Build a Portfolio (Even If You’ve Never Had a Client)

Your portfolio isn’t just proof of experience—it’s what gets you experience. Don’t wait for a paid job to start building your portfolio.

How to Create UX/UI Projects for Your Portfolio

Redesign an existing product – Pick an app or website with usability issues and improve it.
Join UX/UI challenges – Websites like UXHack, Daily UI, and Sharpen.design offer real-world problems to solve.
Work on a passion project – Solve a problem you care about and document your process.
Contribute to open-source projects – Collaborate with developers to improve UI/UX on real projects.

Where to Build Your UX/UI Portfolio

Webflow (affiliate link) – A powerful, no-code tool for designing custom portfolio websites.
Framer (affiliate link) - A powerful, no-code tool for creating interactive, fully customizable websites with ease. Perfect for building stunning, responsive portfolios without any coding experience.
Carrd (affiliate link) – A simple and affordable way to build a one-page portfolio.
Behance & Dribbble – Great for showcasing visual work and networking with designers.

Need inspiration? Explore our Best UX/UI Portfolios to see top examples!

Pro Tip: A great UX/UI portfolio isn’t just about visuals—it’s about storytelling. Every case study should follow this structure: Problem → Process → Solution → Impact.

Step 3: Gain Real-World Experience (Without a Full-Time Job)

If you don’t have a UX/UI job yet, create your own experience! Here are some ways to gain real-world practice:

Freelance on platforms like Upwork & Fiverr – Even small gigs count as experience.
Get an internship or apprenticeship – Some companies offer remote UX/UI internships.
Collaborate with other creatives – Work on side projects with developers or product managers.

Pro Tip: If you’re freelancing, consider building websites for clients using Webflow (affiliate link) or Framer (affiliate link)—it’s a great way to gain experience and earn money.

Step 4: Optimize Your LinkedIn & Resume for Remote UX/UI Jobs

Even with a strong portfolio, recruiters won’t notice you unless your LinkedIn and resume are optimized.

How to Fix Your LinkedIn Profile

Headline: Instead of “Aspiring UX/UI Designer,” write “Remote UX/UI Designer | User Research & Product Design.”
About Section: Tell a quick story about why you chose UX/UI and highlight your skills.
Featured Section: Add links to your best case studies or portfolio.
Engage with UX/UI content: Comment on industry posts and share your own insights.

Resume Tips for Remote UX/UI Jobs

Use keywords from job descriptions – Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan for specific UX/UI terms.
Highlight transferable skills – If you’re switching careers, focus on skills that apply to UX/UI (research, problem-solving, etc.).
Keep it simple – One page is enough, with clear sections for experience, skills, and tools.

Need help with your resume? Read our Resume and Cover Letter Tips for UX Jobs.

Step 5: Apply Smart, Not Just Everywhere

Instead of mass-applying, focus on high-quality applications and networking to land referrals.

Best Job Boards for Remote UX/UI Jobs

UX Remote Talent Job Board – A curated job board with remote UX/UI opportunities.
Upwork – One of the best platforms for freelance UX/UI jobs
Toptal – Exclusive network for top-tier UX designers.
LinkedIn & Twitter – Follow companies and engage with hiring managers.

How to Stand Out When Applying

Customize each application – Mention specific projects that relate to the company’s needs.
Use the “value-first” method – Instead of just sending a resume, offer a quick UX/UI insight or suggestion for the company.
Follow up – A simple “Just checking in” email can increase response rates.

Step 6: Prepare for UX/UI Interviews Like a Pro

When you land an interview, be ready to talk through your design process and solve UX/UI challenges live.

Common UX/UI Interview Questions

“Tell me about a UX/UI project you worked on.”
“How do you approach user research?”
“What’s your favorite UX/UI tool and why?”
“Walk us through one of your case studies.”

Conclusion

Landing a remote UX/UI job without experience is possible—you just need the right approach:

Learn UX/UI fundamentals (Google UX Certificate, Designlab, CareerFoundry).
Build a strong portfolio (Webflow, Carrd, Behance).
Gain real-world experience (freelancing, internships, UX/UI challenges).
Optimize your LinkedIn and resume to attract recruiters.
Apply smartly and use networking.
Nail your interviews with confidence.

Your first UX/UI job is closer than you think—start building your future today!

‍