Overview
In this conversation, Joseph shares his journey from an aspiring creative to an industry expert, reflecting on the pivotal moments and lessons that shaped his career. He discusses his transition into leadership, the evolving landscape of design and consulting, and the importance of adapting to industry changes while staying true to one's values.
Joseph emphasizes the power of coaching and mentorship in career growth, highlighting how structured guidance can help professionals navigate challenges, discover new opportunities, and align their work with their passions. He explores the growing demand for career coaching, particularly for experienced UX designers looking to transition into consultancy roles.
Throughout the discussion, Joseph provides valuable insights into the skills required to become an effective coach, the impact of fostering strong professional networks, and the benefits of continuous learning. He encourages individuals to leverage their expertise not just in design but in guiding others to succeed, making career coaching a meaningful and rewarding path.
About the guest
Joseph is a designer, educator, and creative catalyst with an entrepreneurial mindset, dedicated to harnessing the power of design to create meaningful impact. With a deep belief in creativity, passion, and empathy, he strives to inspire and empower others to achieve their dreams in an authentic and transformative way.
As a design leader, Joseph helps individuals, brands, and organizations navigate complex challenges by uncovering unconscious behaviors and latent desires, crafting human-centered solutions for social and ecological good. His expertise has been sought by global clients, including Unilever, GlaxoSmithKline, Nestlé, FrieslandCampina, Mondelez International, Distell, and Colgate-Palmolive, as well as Fortune 500 brands such as Dove, Tresemme, Oreo, Cadbury, Kleenex, Huggies, and Heineken.
Beyond design, Joseph is a trusted mentor and LinkedIn Top Voice, guiding over 100 UX professionals to land their dream roles through his UX Careerpreneur Model. Drawing from his own experiences of career frustration and reinvention, he now empowers others with a strategic approach—helping them clarify career goals, craft impactful portfolios, build authentic industry connections, and master interviews and negotiations to secure high-value opportunities. His mission is to not just help professionals find jobs but to shape careers that align with their values, skills, and aspirations.
Podcast Summary
Joseph Louis Tan’s Background
Head of Product Design at Contact Out and founder of UX CPR.
Part-time lecturer at Nanyang Technological University, teaching non-designers about design.
Writes daily on LinkedIn about UX job search strategies.
Career Journey and Multiple Transitions
Started with a passion for art and design, influenced by early experiences in industrial design.
Pursued industrial design studies, earning a scholarship to the University of New South Wales.
Experienced career shifts from product design to UX design, education, and coaching.
The Importance of Coaching in UX Careers (00:39 - 03:14)
Coaches UX designers to land six-figure jobs through proactive strategies rather than job board applications.
Highlights the significance of referrals and outreach in job searches.
Challenges and Lessons in Career Growth (05:35 - 09:16)
Grew up in a low-income family with disabled parents, which shaped his independence and resilience.
Lost a five-figure investment in an early startup but used the experience to pivot successfully.
Mindset Shifts and Overcoming Limiting Beliefs (16:21 - 18:53)
Emphasizes reprogramming the mind to overcome impostor syndrome and career doubts.
Identifying personal strengths and unique abilities plays a key role in professional success.
Finding Career Clarity (20:36 - 25:59)
Helps clients define their "non-negotiables" and assess job satisfaction using a rating system.
Encourages aligning career choices with personal passions and values rather than industry trends.
Job Search Strategies and Interview Preparation (27:18 - 29:52)
Focuses on networking, direct outreach, and referrals instead of traditional job applications.
Trains clients in whiteboard challenges, design exercises, and salary negotiation.
The Reality of Career Coaching (35:36 - 39:32)
Started by mentoring 100 people for free before monetizing coaching.
Recommends sharing knowledge consistently, identifying common questions, and scaling expertise.
Discussion takeaways
Joseph’s entrepreneurial mindset shapes his approach to design and education.
Good design has the power to create meaningful social and ecological impact.
Understanding unconscious behaviors and latent desires leads to better human-centered solutions.
Experience with global brands provides valuable insights into solving complex design challenges.
Career frustrations can be transformed into opportunities through strategic career development.
Authentic networking is more effective than mass job applications.
A strong portfolio should emphasize measurable impact rather than just completed tasks.
Mastering interviews and negotiations can help professionals secure high-value roles.
Mentorship and guidance are essential for career growth in UX and design.
Aligning career goals with personal values leads to long-term success and fulfillment.
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