This Design Portfolio got me a job at Vercel

👋 Welcome to Sneak Peek with Jay, a series where you will see the portfolios of top designers. In this interview Jay chats with Tom Johnson (Staff Product Designer) who shows the portfolio and case studies he presented to get a job at Vercel!

🔓 Unlock AI Design & Growth Design videos: https://sneakpeek.design/

🧠 Companion videos
• Designer at Descript shows his portfolio presentation: https://youtu.be/ypsM6UbBp-U

🤝 Connect with Tom Johnson
• X: https://x.com/tomjohndesign
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomjohndesign/

🫶 Connect with Jay
• X: https://x.com/jayneil
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayneil/

✂️ Video edited by Rishabh Tripathi
• X: https://x.com/RishabhxDesign
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishabh-tripathi01/

00:00 Trailer
01:01 Guest intro
01:50 Who reviews design portfolios at Vercel?
02:35 Why present case studies in Figma
03:22 Figma prototype vs Slides for case study presentation
05:04 Not putting words on presentations
05:33 Showing who you are during portfolio reviews
08:19 Preparing for portfolio reviews
09:33 How many projects to show during portfolio review
10:25 Showing side projects in your portfolio
13:38 Moonlighting alongside day job
15:05 Project walkthrough
15:39 Adding interactions in your design portfolio
17:18 Never walkthrough Figma files during an interview
18:57 Show real app screenshots
22:47 Design job hunt strategy
23:47 Sending a DM to Linear CEO
24:52 Don't waste time on cover letters
27:38 Feedback from Linear design team
28:21 Sending a DM to Soleio
35:02 Dealing with nervousness during job interviews
36:22 Salary negotiation strategy
43:12 Fear of sharing your design work in public
46:31 Going to Starbucks to get user feedback
50:15 Advice for junior designers

#designportfolio #designinterview #designcareer