I have reviewed hundreds of UX case studies in my career.
Most of them suffer from:
- Lack of polish
- Poor scannability
- No engaging narrative
- Failing to show the impact
- Focusing too much on the process
The solution is quite simple:
1. Create a story
2. Lead with the impact
3. Share your process at a high level
4. Keep it short and polished; optimize it for scanning
5. Share it in a format that is easily accessible and shareable
The following cheatsheet will help you structure your case studies in a concise, engaging, and impactful manner.
If you found this useful, consider reposting to your network ♻️
Bonus tip: If you weren't able to measure the impact, try some alternatives:
- Show the metrics you expected to move, even if you don't have the numbers
- Did you test the new flow/feature? Show the results
Most of them suffer from:
- Lack of polish
- Poor scannability
- No engaging narrative
- Failing to show the impact
- Focusing too much on the process
The solution is quite simple:
1. Create a story
2. Lead with the impact
3. Share your process at a high level
4. Keep it short and polished; optimize it for scanning
5. Share it in a format that is easily accessible and shareable
The following cheatsheet will help you structure your case studies in a concise, engaging, and impactful manner.
If you found this useful, consider reposting to your network ♻️
Bonus tip: If you weren't able to measure the impact, try some alternatives:
- Show the metrics you expected to move, even if you don't have the numbers
- Did you test the new flow/feature? Show the results
Rob Hartman
Respectfully - The challenge with this LinkedIn “ this is how you should do it” narrative is that the approach being instructed is relative - and varies per use case. I know I speak for many Applicants who have responded to this type of sage advice, pivoted their approach only to be met with yet another “preferred delivery“ and a pivot once again.
From my perspective, through my 20+ years of product development, both under the design and Creative brand direction perspective, I have never placed any definitive weight on whether an applicant is suitable based on the subtle nuances of how they presented their experience. It is my role as a professional, to be able to weed out the things that are evident And take the appropriate time. If we as professionals, do not have the time to properly vet a case study unless it meets our “standards“ - then we’re
The fact that we’re relying almost purely on ATS systems to vet talent, is at the core one of the largest contributors to what is now a highly dysfunctional recruitment process and talent burnout.
want our applicants to demonstrate that they can “do the work“ but in this recruitment process, have very little intent of actually leading by example, and - doing the work.
Respectfully - The challenge with this LinkedIn “ this is how you should do it” narrative is that the approach being instructed is relative - and varies per use case. I know I speak for many Applicants who have responded to this type of sage advice, pivoted their approach only to be met with yet another “preferred delivery“ and a pivot once again.
From my perspective, through my 20+ years of product development, both under the design and Creative brand direction perspective, I have never placed any definitive weight on whether an applicant is suitable based on the subtle nuances of how they presented their experience. It is my role as a professional, to be able to weed out the things that are evident And take the appropriate time. If we as professionals, do not have the time to properly vet a case study unless it meets our “standards“ - then we’re
The fact that we’re relying almost purely on ATS systems to vet talent, is at the core one of the largest contributors to what is now a highly dysfunctional recruitment process and talent burnout.
want our applicants to demonstrate that they can “do the work“ but in this recruitment process, have very little intent of actually leading by example, and - doing the work.
Key Aspects of Your Elevator Pitch
Who You Are: Focus on education, work experience and certifications that make you a good fit for the role you’re pursuing. It’s okay to show a little bit of your human side, but it’s generally best to avoid sharing personal details or information about side hustles or hobbies… unless they boost your candidacy.
Your Strengths: Highlight your top abilities, skills and qualities, all tailored to the specific role you're seeking. To set yourself apart and showcase your organizational fit, make sure to mention things that are integral to your brand identity and align with the company’s mission and work environment. For example, refer to yourself as a Scrum Master known for being a servant leader, or a developer known for nurturing strong relationships and fostering collaboration on cross-functional teams.
Amazon Leadership Principles
Amazon Leadership Principles
Your Major Accomplishments: Have examples of projects you’ve worked on, problems you’ve solved, and the impact you’ve created ready to go, then choose one or two for your elevator pitch.
Relevance Matters: In other words, when selecting accomplishments and projects to describe your experience, focus on those that align with the specific requirements of the role. Remember that hiring managers are genuinely interested in hearing about what’s important to them.
Be a STAR: Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is a highly effective way to describe your role on a team. Briefly describe the project or problem facing the team, then quickly pivot to the specific actions you took, why they mattered, and the tangible value you created.
Interweave "we" and "I” to show respect for the team structure in achieving common goals, but don’t be afraid to say, “I was in charge of this” or, “My area of focus was resolving the stakeholder conflicts that were hindering progress.”
When it comes to talking about yourself in interviews, using “I” can be a good thing, Douglas said.
What You Want in New Opportunities: Finally, explain what you’re looking for in a new opportunity. Describe what motivates you and how you see that coming to fruition in this particular role or company.
For instance: “I’m looking to leverage my engineering, leadership, creative and visionary skills in a product management role. I feel that I’m ready and able to play a key role in shaping product strategy and vision, impacting the overall success of a company.”
Beyond your skills, a hiring manager wants to understand your strengths and values, and how you might fit within their team or company. Talking about yourself in the right way during an interview can provide a complete picture of who you are and increase your chances of landing an offer.
Canned Questions and Answers
Be a STAR: Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
Be a STAR: Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
Can you share a time you had a backbone
Scenario - Business Planner
Situation: Text
Task: Text
Action: Text
Result: Text
Scenario - Business Planner
Situation: Text
Task: Text
Action: Text
Result: Text