UX Career Strategy
You’ve been applying for jobs, but nobody is calling back.
Your portfolio might look good, but that doesn’t mean it’s making the case for why a company should hire you.
We help you turn your experience into a clear, distinctive career story that stands out to both ATS systems and hiring managers.
You’ll learn how to:
👉 Position your experience around what employers actually value
👉 Turn your work into stronger impact stories by restructuring 2–3 key case studies
👉 Build a CV and portfolio that communicate your value quickly and clearly
👉 Create a job search strategy that helps you target the right opportunities
Instead of asking: “What do I want to show?” → we help you ask: “What does a hiring manager need to see to believe I’m the right person for this role?”
The result: a market-ready CV, portfolio, personal brand narrative, and job search strategy — built around what makes you valuable.
Designers who have worked with UX Tree mentors have gone on to land roles at companies including Genesys, Friday Agency, AIB and Vhi.
💸 Government Funding available for jobseekers. Cover 100% of your course fees via Intreo.
Next round kick-off
September 28, 2026
Individual 1:1 calls with experienced Mentor
Applications for next cohort open until
September 27, 2026
Program Fee
€375
Junior to Senior
Skill level
4 Private Sessions
Duration
Portfolio
Prerequisites
2 hours/week
Commitment
What this actually is
Find Your story
We map out your unique experience, cut generic words, and draw out the technical strengths that make you stand out from other designers.
Improve case studies
Turn complex projects into clear, scannable case studies backed by business metrics, trade-offs, and clear ROI.
Build Your suite
Fix your portfolio, align your CV and LinkedIn profile so your entire brand tells one cohesive story.
Beat ATS
Optimise your materials to pass AI screening tools, write tailored pitch emails, and target high-value recruiters in your target market.
What hiring managers are actually looking for
Most applications don’t fail because of weak UI.
They fail because candidates get filtered out by AI screeners, lack clear business metrics, or fail to communicate their true value across their portfolio, resume, and LinkedIn.
Can they pass the 6-second recruiter skim and ATS filters?
Can they connect design decisions to real business results?
Do they understand product trade-offs and constraints?
Does their overall personal brand look consistent and market-ready?
HOW IT WORKS
The 5-Step Accelerator to Bypass the Algorithm
A 1-on-1 session to understand your goals, identify what’s holding your job search back, and create a clear plan.
Identify the experiences, strengths and career decisions that make you different — and turn them into a clear personal narrative.
Restructure 2–3 key case studies to focus on the problems you solved, the decisions you made, and the value you created.
Turn your positioning into a clear, compelling CV and portfolio structure designed to communicate your value quickly.
Bring everything together across your CV, portfolio and LinkedIn — with a practical strategy for taking your new positioning to the job market.
“Working with Riccardo gave me the confidence and reassurance that the time and effort I had invested in my UX career was valid and that I had developed valuable skills and experience – I just needed guidance on how to communicate and present them effectively.
One of the biggest outcomes was that I was able to land a new UX role while completing the course, and Riccardo’s advice and encouragement played a big part in giving me the confidence to apply for the opportunity. He helped me identify which projects would best demonstrate my skills and experience to interviewers, and how to structure and present my portfolio in a way that showcased my strengths.
I feel I am in a much stronger position now than I was a few months ago, particularly when it comes to my portfolio, positioning myself for roles, and having confidence in the experience I bring as a designer. I now have a much clearer approach to maintaining and developing my portfolio, rather than waiting until I’m looking for a new role. I want to continue building on this so that when my next dream opportunity comes along, I feel prepared and don’t miss out simply because I haven’t communicated my experience effectively.“
– Hannah O’Donoghue, UX Designer
“This course is absolutely brilliant. Working closely with Riccardo (mentor and course instructor) completely transformed how I think about and present my portfolio. His guidance and feedback were incredibly insightful, and the process of refining my work step by step taught me so much more than I expected.As a self-taught UX designer, I came into the course with plenty of doubts and even more questions. I’m leaving with real clarity, stronger confidence, and a portfolio that finally feels like it truly reflects my skills and growth.I honestly can’t recommend this course enough to any designer looking to take their portfolio to the next level.”
– Marie-Claire Philipp, UX Freelancer
Who will you learn from
Riccardo Spina
Venture consultant at SwissMen | Seed Innovation
Summary
- 30+ years of experience in Silicon Valley, USA
- BASc in Applied Science, Visual Design
- Based in Lisbon, Portugal
- Mentoring since February 2024
Top Skills
- UX Brand and Market Strategy
- Service Design
- UI Design & Design Systems
- Information Architecture
- Design Management
What Riccardo’s Mentees say
Marie-Claire Philipp, UX Designer
“Riccardo has been an amazing mentor. He provided me with guidance and managed to gently push me in the right direction without compromising my learning process. He went above and beyond in mentoring me and provided thoughtful insights for both my case study, and my broader career goals.”
“I am incredibly fortunate to have had Riccardo Spina as my mentor. He was always there for a chat and consistently pushed me out of my comfort zone. Riccardo helped me transform what I perceived as a weakness into a strength, providing invaluable guidance and encouragement throughout the UXTree journey”
Davinn Quinn, Customer Success Manager @ Leap Tools
“Riccardo was an an excellent mentor with a brilliant knowledge of UX strategy. He guided me through the project giving me detailed advice and some new methods to help me through my research and development.”
See a Real Portfolio Transformation
Watch our UX Tree mentor Riccardo and portfolio student Claire walk through the changes that transformed her portfolio, the feedback she received, and the impact it had on her UX career.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Our FAQs provide quick, easy answers to the most common questions about our products and services, helping you find the information you need without hassle
No. You just need at least one project you can talk about. We work with what you have and help you make it stronger.
Yes, indirectly.
We do not run mock interviews, but by the end you will be able to walk through your case study clearly, explain your decisions, and handle tough questions without freezing.
That is exactly what hiring managers are testing in interviews.
Yes, as long as you have at least one UX project to work with.
You do not need years of experience, you just need something real to bring to the sessions.
Around one to two hours per week. Enough to review feedback and make updates to your case study before the next session.
Getting filtered out by AI recruiting tools or getting stuck in phone screens can cost you tens of thousands in lost salary.
This program includes a 1-on-1 Audit Call plus 4 hands-on strategy sessions. You don’t just get generic portfolio feedback. You leave with a complete job-search suite: a refreshed resume, high-impact case studies, a portfolio homepage layout, an updated LinkedIn profile, and a targeted application plan.
If this program helps you land just one extra interview or a higher-paying offer, it pays for itself immediately.
Not at all. This is a 100% 1-on-1, flexible program.
You book your sessions whenever you are ready. This gives you as much time as you need between calls to do your homework, write your case studies, and update your assets without feeling rushed. You move at the exact pace that fits your schedule.
It is 100% private and 1-on-1.
Every session is dedicated entirely to your specific career history, projects, and goals. You get tailored, line-by-line feedback on your resume, LinkedIn, and portfolio from start to finish.
Yes.
If you receive a qualifying social welfare payment in Ireland, you can apply for the Training Support Grant (TSG) through your local Intreo office. Contact your Intreo Case Officer to request funding for this program, and we will provide you with the required invoice and provider details.
Yes. You will receive a UX Tree certificate when you complete the programme, which you can add to your LinkedIn and portfolio.
Discuss your payment options
Got questions?
We’re here to help! Contact us at +353871607207 or ask below.
Product reviews
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
This course is absolutely brilliant. Working closely with Riccardo (mentor and course instructor) completely transformed how I think about and present my portfolio. His guidance and feedback were incredibly insightful, and the process of refining my work step by step taught me so much more than I expected.
As a self-taught UX designer, I came into the course with plenty of doubts and even more questions. I’m leaving with real clarity, stronger confidence, and a portfolio that finally feels like it truly reflects my skills and growth.
I honestly can’t recommend this course enough to any designer looking to take their portfolio to the next level.
Working with Riccardo gave me the confidence and reassurance that the time and effort I had invested in my UX career was valid and that I had developed valuable skills and experience – I just needed guidance on how to communicate and present them effectively.
One of the biggest outcomes was that I was able to land a new UX role while completing the course, and Riccardo’s advice and encouragement played a big part in giving me the confidence to apply for the opportunity. He helped me identify which projects would best demonstrate my skills and experience to interviewers, and how to structure and present my portfolio in a way that showcased my strengths.
I feel I am in a much stronger position now than I was a few months ago, particularly when it comes to my portfolio, positioning myself for roles, and having confidence in the experience I bring as a designer. I now have a much clearer approach to maintaining and developing my portfolio, rather than waiting until I’m looking for a new role. I want to continue building on this so that when my next dream opportunity comes along, I feel prepared and don’t miss out simply because I haven’t communicated my experience effectively.