Why Most Designers Get Ignored When Applying for Jobs (And How to Stand Out)

A few weeks ago, I posted an opening for a freelance Product Designer on X and LinkedIn. Within a couple of days, my inbox was flooded — over 150 submissions came through.

But here's the thing… a lot of them just weren’t it.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure most of the folks who applied are talented. But based on the way they applied, you wouldn’t know it. And that’s what this post is about: not just how to apply for design roles, but how to actually stand out.

Because in 2025, just having "UI/UX" in your bio isn’t enough.

What I noticed from 150+ applications

Let me break down a few patterns that stood out — and not in a good way:

• 50% didn’t share a personal portfolio link.
  Some dropped a Dribbble or Behance link. Others linked to their Bento or Notion. But honestly? That’s not enough. If you’re calling yourself a product designer, show me how you design for real products, not just pretty shots.

• Copy-pasted messages.
  A few even had the wrong name — like, “Hi [name]” or worse, “Hi Sarah” (I’m not Sarah). I get that we all use templates, but at least glance at it before hitting send?

• Generic outreach.
  Some messages had no portfolio, no context, no personality. Just “Hey I’m interested” and a resume. You wouldn’t send a wireframe like that to a client, would you?

So how do you make a better impression?

I’m not here to rant — I’m here to help. If you’re applying for design roles (especially remote/freelance gigs), here’s what actually makes a difference:

• Use a clear, professional photo.
  Not a blurry selfie from Goa, not a meme. Your photo sets the tone before your words do.

• Write your full name.
  I love creative usernames, but when I’m scanning 100+ profiles, I’m trying to find people, not "pixeljunkie420."

• Personalize your message.
  Yes, use AI. I do too. But please add a line or two in your own voice. If it sounds robotic or too polished, it gets skipped.

• Have a personal website.
  Ideally on a custom domain. Even a single-page portfolio is better than nothing. It shows you care enough to package your work well.

• Focus on your strengths.
  Don’t list 20 tools and 6 roles. Tell me what you’re great at. UX writing? Mobile UI? Design systems? Own it.

You don't need to be perfect — just clear and intentional.

Designers often worry about not having the “perfect portfolio.” But clarity beats perfection every single time.

When I’m hiring, I’m not looking for the fanciest visuals. I’m looking for signal: can you solve problems? Can you communicate clearly? Can you show initiative?

And if your application is hard to read, lacks context, or hides your best work — you’re making it hard for someone like me to say yes.

Make it easy for people to see what you're great at. That’s it.

Whether you’re applying for your first gig or your fiftieth, don’t treat it like a numbers game. A thoughtful message, a clean portfolio, and a bit of personality will take you a long way.

Good design speaks. Good outreach should too.