Ready to land your next UX role?

Practical, empathetic coaching for designers and researchers navigating today's job market

You're a skilled designer who solves complex problems. So why does the job search feel so overwhelming? 

The truth is, this UX job market is more competitive than ever.

You need to know how to present yourself, tell your story, and understand what hiring managers are actually looking for. And you need someone in your corner to give you encouragement and help you maintain focus. That's exactly why I'm here.

As a former UX hiring manager, I’ll provide the feedback, guidance, and support you need to navigate this challenging time.

Mentoring can help you:

  • Build a job search strategy so you can stop sending applications into the void

  • Get unstuck and finish your portfolio

  • Know what UX hiring managers are looking for and how to show you're the right fit

  • Tell a compelling and clear story about your experience and projects

  • Feel prepared and less anxious in interviews and case study presentations

  • Navigate the emotional rollercoaster of the job search without burning out

Meet your mentor, Jenny Shirey

I know how hard the UX job search is, because I've been on both sides of the table, working as a designer, then moving into leadership. As a former UX Director, I've hired at every level, from interns to principal product designers.

Since 2020, I’ve coached designers and researchers looking for their next role. I continually examine the job market, learn from recruiters and recent hires, and write a Substack newsletter with advice for UX job seekers. I love helping people gain back their confidence and land a role they're excited about!

Learn more about me

1,000+

Applications reviewed

100+

Interviews conducted

15+

Years in tech

How it works

    • We'll get to know each other with a 30-minute Zoom or phone call

    • We’ll discuss your challenges and goals and I’ll answer your questions to make sure I’m a good fit for your needs.

    • You’ll schedule a session using my online calendar, sign a coaching agreement, and pre-pay

    • We’ll work on what’s most urgent now—maybe we’ll create a strategy for your job search, review your portfolio, or help you prepare for an upcoming interview.

    • I’ll give you practical and encouraging feedback. You’ll understand what’s not working but also leave with confidence that you can fix it.

    • At the end of the session you’ll decide on next steps

    • I’ll send a detailed email with notes on what we discussed 

    • You’ll work on your action items to keep momentum

    • If you like, I’ll check in to see how you’re doing with your goals

    • You can email me any time for quick feedback in-between sessions

    • Easily schedule your next session using my calendar link

Pricing and Packages

I have a sliding scale, which is meant to make coaching more accessible for those who are unemployed, underemployed, or facing financial hardship. During our consultation call, you can let me know which price point you’re able to pay.

Payment plans for the job search package are available if needed.

One mentoring session

$200 - $250 (sliding scale)

For focused support

  • One 60-minute session over Zoom

  • During a single session we can go over one topic: for example, feedback on your portfolio, your job search strategy, or prep for an upcoming interview.

  • Afterward, I’ll send you a recording and detailed notes

Job search package

$720 - $900 (sliding scale)

For continuing support with all aspects of your job search

  • Four 60-minute sessions over Zoom

  • Job search strategy, resume / portfolio review, mock interviews, combat job search stress, or whatever else you need!

  • Email support between sessions

  • Recordings, detailed notes, and resources sent via email after each session

Ready to get support with your job search?

I offer a free 30-minute call to learn about your challenges, answer your questions, and make sure that I can provide the type of help you’re looking for.

Book a consultation

“I worked with Jenny during an active job search and found her coaching incredibly valuable. She helped me strengthen my case study presentation, clarify how I was telling my story, and approach interviews with more structure and intention.

Her feedback is clear, thoughtful, and tailored to what you actually need in the moment. She creates space for transparent, open conversation and is a steady support through the emotional stress that job seeking can activate. Alongside practical guidance, she offers grounded advice on how to navigate the ups and downs with more resilience and perspective.

I’d highly recommend her to any designer looking to refine their interview skills and move forward in their career with greater clarity and confidence.”

— Marisa, Product Designer

Questions you might have

  • When I work with job seekers, I provide a great deal of advice and feedback based on my experiences as a UX hiring manager. Of course this is all based on first making sure I understand your goals.

    During a coaching session, you often already have the answers and need help organizing and clarifying. So I’ll spend more time listening, asking questions, and reflecting what you say, and will provide less advice.

  • Great question! It’s true that ChatGPT, Claude, and other LLMs can identify patterns on what generally works for portfolios and resumes, help you brainstorm interview questions, and suggest edits for specific job posts. 

    But there are a lot of things LLMs can’t do:

    • LLMs don’t have that lived experience of actually hiring designers, so they can’t tell you how your story will resonate with human interviewers

    • They can’t see your body posture and facial expressions, which help me dig deeper based on what you’re not saying. These cues are also crucial for understanding how you’re coming across in interviews!

    • LLMs can’t see your patterns over time and help you identify your barriers

    • They can’t hold you accountable or check in proactively

    • LLMs also can’t read between the lines of job postings and understand what a hiring manager might be looking for based on real-world experience

    ChatGPT and Claude are great pattern recognition tools that you should definitely use. And mentoring will give you different outcomes.

    I recommend that you ask your favorite LLM about its limitations, and what a human mentor or career coach can do that they can’t.

  • Sessions are pre-paid via a credit card or Venmo. Pre-paid sessions are not refundable.

  • It depends on where you are in your process. If you’re working on a portfolio, we might meet every 2-3 weeks, to help keep up momentum and give you time to make progress in between. When clients are actively interviewing, we might meet once or twice a week to prepare for specific upcoming interviews and presentations.

  • You can cancel or reschedule a session with at least 24 hours notice. Cancellations or reschedules with less than 24 hours notice will be charged as regular sessions, however if an emergency or illness comes up, this can be waived.

  • I have availability on weekdays between 9 am and 4 pm Pacific Time. Please let me know if you need accommodations for another time.

  • Since we haven’t worked together on an actual project, my recommendation wouldn’t be as useful as someone who has worked together with you. Instead, let’s strategize on how you can use your network of former coworkers to help you and potentially introduce you to hiring managers.

  • Yes! If that’s what you need. You set the agenda during our sessions. Sometimes clients need working sessions to get unstuck and make progress. While I won’t write your resume for you, we can use our sessions to brainstorm, and I can provide ideas for phrases and wording to use.

  • I don’t have a program because I believe that each person’s job search is unique based on their skills, years of experience, and where they are in their job search lifecycle. My mentorship is not cookie-cutter, it’s completely individualized and specific to UX and design careers.