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Insights on Design Hiring

Notes on design hiring, interviewing, and building teams, from ten years recruiting designers at Meta, BCG, and fast-growing startups.

Sep 17, 2026Hiring Advice

Stop Looking for a Unicorn Designer

Every founder I talk to about their first design hire starts the conversation the same way. They want someone who can do product strategy, visual design,...

Sep 1, 2026Job Search

How to get hired as a designer right now (live talk this Thursday)

Hey everyone,

Aug 5, 2026Interview Prep

How to Use the STAR Method in Design Interviews

If you're a Product or UX Designer getting ready for interviews, you've probably heard the term STAR. It stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result....

Jul 6, 2026Hiring Advice

The One Interview Question That Reveals Everything About a Founding Designer

Most founders ask founding designer candidates about their process.

Jan 27, 2026Company News

Why I Built a Designer Network (Not Another Job Board)

After six years recruiting product designers at Meta across Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Facebook I learned something crucial: the best design talent...

Oct 29, 2025Job Search

Tired of waiting for jobs to come to you? Here's how to find companies hiring RIGHT NOW.

Here are some Boolean Search Strings I would use to Find Companies Actively Hiring. You can use these for any type of role.

Oct 23, 2025Hiring Advice

Hey Founders! Are You Hiring a Founding Designer? Stop waiting for applications

The best design talent isn't on job boards. Use these Boolean search strings to find them on LinkedIn:

Sep 30, 2025Job Search

Product Designer Job Search Cheatsheet

Boolean strings are special search commands you paste directly into Google. They help you uncover Product Designer jobs hidden on company career pages,...

Sep 18, 2025Job Search

How to Build a Daily Product Design Jobs Radar

This guide shows you how to auto-pull fresh Product Design jobs into Google Sheets every morning. It's simple, fast, and free to start.

Sep 5, 2025Hiring Advice

How to Hire Your First Founding Designer: A Playbook for Startup Founders

As a founder, you'll face a lot of tough hires. None may feel riskier than your first designer. This person won't just "make things pretty." They'll set the...

Jul 24, 2025Hiring Advice

The Ultimate Guide to the Founding Designer Role and How to Hire One

A founding designer is usually the very first design hire at a startup. They help shape vague ideas into real products, build the company brand, and turn...

Jun 3, 2025Job Search

How Product Designers Can Use Boolean Search to Find Better Jobs on LinkedIn

If you're a Product Designer hunting for your next role on LinkedIn, chances are you've typed something like "Product Designer" into the search bar… and...

Jun 2, 2025Job Search

How Design Engineers Can Use Boolean Search to Find the Right AI Roles on LinkedIn

If you're a Design Engineer aiming to break into the AI, GenAI, or Generative AI space, LinkedIn's search bar can be your secret weapon — if you know how to...

May 30, 2025Career Growth

The Rise of Super IC Product Design Roles (and How to Find Them)

There's a lot of buzz lately about Super IC roles in Product Design — and for good reason.

Mar 28, 2025Job Search

Here's how I find Product Design Jobs

Here's how I would find my next Product Designer job — without relying on job boards or scrolling LinkedIn all day:

Mar 11, 2025Portfolio Tips

The Story of Two Portfolios: Why One Got Hired and the Other Didn't

Hiring managers see hundreds of design portfolios, but only a handful truly stand out. Some candidates make an immediate impression, while others get lost...

Mar 4, 2025Hiring Advice

How to Hire Top Designers Without Breaking the Bank: 5 Proven Strategies

Hiring top-tier designers can feel like an expensive challenge, especially for startups and small businesses with limited budgets. But the truth is, you...

Feb 26, 2025Job Search

How to Land Your First UX Job Out of Bootcamp OR College

Getting your first job in product design after bootcamp can feel like a big challenge. But don't worry, with the right approach, you can stand out and get...

Sep 26, 2024Interview Prep

Are you ready to ace your next product design interview?

Ace your product design interview: Insider tips, proven strategies, and expert insights from top design leaders on what really makes you stand out.

Aug 15, 2024Job Search

Unlock the Power of Boolean Search: Boost Your UX Design Job Search

As a UX designer, staying ahead in the job market requires a strategic approach to finding the right opportunities. In this post, we'll share advanced X-Ray...

Jul 11, 2024Interview Prep

Nail Your App Critique Interview: Tips for Product Designers

I've interviewed and have prepared designers for their Interview. At Meta and many other companies they have a App critique interview.

Jul 2, 2024Job Search

Finished a UX Bootcamp? Here's How to Get Hired Next!

Awesome! You've wrapped up your UX bootcamp, and now you're ready to dive into the job market. Here's how to get noticed and land that job.

Jun 27, 2024Job Search

A Designer's Guide to Organizing a Job Hunt

Carl has hired thousands of Product Designers. As a product designer, searching for a new job can be a daunting task. With so many opportunities available,...

May 30, 2024Portfolio Tips

Structuring Your Product Design Case Studies Using The STAR Method

Crafting a compelling product design case study is essential to showcase your skills and thought process effectively. One powerful framework to structure...

Oct 18, 2023Portfolio Tips

Should you add Unfinished projects in your product design portfolio: Yay or nay?

Whether or not to include unfinished projects in your product design portfolio is a personal decision. There are both pros and cons to consider.

Sep 28, 2023Hiring Advice

How to Diversify Your Product Design Team

Diversity is essential for any team, but it is especially important for product design teams. Product designers are responsible for creating products that...

Sep 12, 2023Interview Prep

How to Prepare for the Whiteboard Product Design Challenge

Here are some tips on how to prepare for a whiteboard product design challenge:

Aug 18, 2023Compensation

\"Unlocking the Secrets: The Product Designer Salary Guide in the United States [2023] — Top 5 Insights\

Introduction: In the ever-evolving realm of design, product designers stand as essential pillars, bridging the gap between aesthetics, functionality, and...

Aug 11, 2023Compensation

Why candidates might not like talking about compensation during an interview.

There are a few reasons why candidates might not like talking about compensation during an interview.

Aug 7, 2023Career Growth

Where Thousands Of Tech Workers Went After Mass Layoffs by CNBC

CNBC contacted me last week to share my compelling story on the highs and lows of the tech industry. We spoke about what is the future in AI and the...

Jul 13, 2023Career Growth

I'm Attending a UX Design Bootcamp: 10 Tips to Make the Most of My Mentor

If you're attending a UX Design Bootcamp, you've already taken an important step towards a rewarding career in user experience design. One of the key...

Jul 10, 2023AI & Design

Harnessing Technology: 5 Ways UX Designers Can Use AI to Their Advantage

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken the world by storm, reaching into the nooks and crannies of various industries, including User Experience (UX)...

Jul 5, 2023Career Growth

Here Are Some Of The BEST Discord Groups For Product Designers!

Design Buddies: A community focused on providing a positive space for designers to share their work, get feedback, learn new things, and meet other designers.

Jun 30, 2023Job Search

How to Use Boolean Searches to Source Your Next Job in Product Design

In today's competitive job market, finding the right job in product design can be a daunting task. With numerous job boards and online platforms available,...

Jun 28, 2023Career Growth

Are you considering a UX Bootcamp or course? Here are 10 tips on what to expect

If you're interested in pursuing a career in User Experience (UX) design, enrolling in a UX bootcamp or course can be a great way to gain the necessary...

Apr 5, 2023LinkedIn Tips

Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile for Recruiters

As the world's largest professional network, LinkedIn is a crucial tool for job seekers and recruiters alike. With over 700 million members, it's no wonder...

Mar 30, 2023Job Search

Tips for getting a job after a UX Bootcamp

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to get a job after completing a UX Bootcamp. In this guide, we will cover seven essential tips that will help you...

Sep 7, 2022Interview Prep

5 UX Questions to Ask During your Interview

You're about to embark on a new job, and as excited as you are, this is also an important time for you to ask questions. When interviewing for a product or...

Aug 12, 2022Job Search

How To Get Hired After A UX Bootcamp

UX design is one of the fastest growing fields in tech, with an increasing demand for UX professionals. So if you're considering getting into this field, it...

Aug 16, 2021Interview Prep

3 design storytelling tips to help you nail your UX interview

Design Recruiter at Facebook Carl Wheatley explains why proactive storytelling in a UX design interview is one of the most powerful techniques for...

Aug 2, 2021Interview Prep

6 Tips to Look and Be Confident in a Remote Interview

When carrying out an interview, you have to think about the image you provide. In a remote interview, that image reaches the space around you, so be smart...

Jul 21, 2021LinkedIn Tips

Six Tips to Help your LinkedIn Profile Stand Out in 2021

The year is already rounding up, and it isn't all about bitcoin tips and crash diets. It's also about making good adjustments when it comes to your...

Jul 13, 2021LinkedIn Tips

Seven tips on What to Put on Your LinkedIn Profile if you Want Recruiters to Notice You

"Many skilled people or professionals do make sure they update their LinkedIn profiles, and that's only when they're actively searching for good jobs…."

Jan 13, 2021LinkedIn Tips

10 Tips To Improve Your LinkedIn Profile.

LinkedIn has changed the course of applying and hiring for jobs. Almost every aspect of life has changed with technological advancement and so LinkedIn has...

Jan 12, 2021Interview Prep

A GREAT way on HOW to Set Up for a Video Interview

Select an area for the meeting where you can manage the surroundings. If at all feasible, take the video meeting in your house, but anywhere peaceful with...

Dec 7, 2020Interview Prep

How to Use the STAR Method to Ace Your Job Interview?

The STAR method prepares individuals for circumstantial and behavioral interview questions. These questions can find you when you least expect and may come...

Nov 2, 2020Career Growth

6 tips to make the most out of your design mentor‑mentee relationship

It's usually tough to find a good design mentor. What's tougher is finding a mentor that you can build a lasting, valuable relationship with. Whether you're...

Oct 17, 2019Interview Prep

10 essential questions you should ask in a product design interview

Hiring managers aren't only looking for designers who can do the job well — they want to hire employees that show a genuine interest in the company and...

Sep 20, 2019Interview Prep

21 essential UX design interview questions & how to answer them

Carl Wheatley is a Product Design Recruiter at Facebook with several years of experience in the design and recruiting industries. In this post, Carl sheds...

May 3, 2019Job Search

9 tips for landing a job after design school or bootcamp

Carl Wheatley is a Product Design Recruiter at Facebook with several years of experience in the design and recruiting industries. Having completed Bloc and...

Feb 15, 2018Job Search

The biggest mistakes I see designers make when they apply for a job

I'm a design recruiter at Facebook. I recruit for Product Design Leadership. For the past several years I've been in the design/recruiting industry. Before...