#180 The state of job hunting in 2026

Anfi and community members from Into UX Jobs share their real job‑search journeys — how many applications they submitted, how many interview stages they went through before landing their role, how long the process took, what their take‑home challenges looked like, the questions the design managers asked, the hardest moments they faced, what current job hunters need to know, practical interview tips, and the unfair advantages that helped them stand out.

Timestamps:

02:40 - Members share general information about the companies they applied to and the positions they applied to.

08:00 - Describe your job search in three words.

09:30 - What was the reality you experienced? Statistically, how many companies did you apply to during your last job hunt?

15:45 - How many interview stages did you go through at the company where you landed the job? If you remember, how long did the process take?

18:17 - How many stages did you go through at the company where you received an offer?

26:21 - When did you feel like you were actually getting an offer?

32:20 - Questions you were asked by your design manager.

46:28 - Moments when it felt particularly hard — the most challenging part of your process.

54:38 - If you're currently job hunting, what do you need to hear right now?

59:36 - What was your unfair advantage?

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Ioana's AI project: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠aidesign-os.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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