Losing a job can be a difficult and stressful experience, but it can also be an opportunity to pivot your career and explore new possibilities. That’s precisely what happened to me. This past November, I was laid off from my role as a Director of Influencer Relations. Initially, I started to apply for more marketing positions to try to land a job quickly, but then I began to think maybe this layoff was just the push I needed to transition into the field of user experience (UX) design, which I’ve been interested in for years.

My first step in the transition was restructuring my CV to fit the roles I wanted to apply for. I worked with a resume writer at Careerminds to highlight my relevant skills and experiences in a way that showcased my ability to excel in a UX design role.

To build my portfolio, I looked back through my previous work in my portfolio and found ways to market my skills to a UX role. For example, I wrote landing pages and emails that involved user research, so I started to format those projects as a case study on my portfolio and highlight that experience on my CV and cover letter. Also, as a layout and design editor for a newspaper early in my career, I used design software like InDesign and Photoshop. Since then, I’ve collaborated with product managers and engineers in Figma, so I made sure to mention that.

Another important step I took was networking. I started meeting with mentors from Pinterest, Spotify, Mozilla, and other notable companies on ADPList, attended virtual webinars hosted by the UX Writing Hub, and joined online groups and forums to connect with other professionals in the field. Networking helped me better understand the design process, get feedback on my case studies, and learn industry terminology I could use in the interview process.

One of the best ways I gained knowledge and inspiration was finding books to read. “Writing is Designing” by Michael Metts, and Andy Welfle is now one of my favorites. It is an incredible resource to better understand the field and how to approach it. Additionally, I enrolled in a UI/UX Figma Design course on Udemy and read as many articles on Medium about UX as possible to stay up-to-date on the latest trends.

Finally, I stayed persistent in my job search. I’m not proud to say it, but between starting my search in marketing jobs and then applying for UX writing and content design positions, I applied for 140 jobs in just under three months. I had four interviews and two job offers. I know applying for jobs is a job in itself, but finding the right job can take time. Don’t let that discourage you. Keep applying and networking; remember that every rejection is an opportunity to learn and improve.

In conclusion, transitioning from marketing to UX design is not easy, but it is definitely worth the effort. In just a few weeks, I’ll be starting a new position as a UX writer at an LMS company, and I couldn’t be happier. If you are considering a career pivot, I encourage you to go for it. Take the time to educate yourself, build a portfolio, and network with professionals in the industry. And most importantly, don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith and chase your dream.