Skip to content
UX Career
UX Career
Branding
Verification
Applications
Outreach
Interviews List
Mentors
Leena Jacob Portfolio feedback
Process
temp prompts
Iterating on onboarding to improve user activation in healthcare SaaS
Designing for Activation in a Self-Serve funnel for Healthcare SaaS
UI onb new page - omnipractice
Image and Micro decisions
About
Research - portfolio
Good portfolios
Share
Explore

1.

Independent Design Recruiters (India / Remote Market)

These are small agencies or individuals who specialize in UX & product design roles.
They often skip formal HR filters and present candidates directly to design leads — and they know how to “storyframe” non-linear backgrounds.
Top examples:
DesignHire (run by Deepak Menon) – works with Indian SaaS and startup design roles.
Cautio Talent – design/PM-focused boutique recruiter.
TuringMinds / HireQuotient Design – for hybrid/remote product roles.
Dribbble Talent / Uxcel Talent Network – for global remote openings (if your portfolio is strong, they skip verification hurdles).
✅ Approach:
Reach out on LinkedIn with a short message like:
“Hi [Name], I came across your profile while researching design recruiters.
I’ve led product design at a US SaaS startup and built a consumer app since — looking to rejoin structured design teams.
Would love to know if you’re currently helping companies with mid-senior UX/product roles.”
Even if one recruiter aligns, they’ll rewrite your story in hiring language and push you to teams that trust their judgment — that’s how you bypass silent skepticism.
⁠

🤝 2.

Design Mentors / Hiring Managers on LinkedIn (Warm Referrals)

Sometimes, a single warm recommendation from someone inside the design community works far better than recruiters.

Where to find them:

Design leaders who are active on LinkedIn (from companies like Razorpay, Gojek, Obvious, Swiggy Design, Lollypop, CRED).
People who post about hiring or reviewing portfolios.

How to reach out:

“Hey [Name], I really admire how your team approaches design systems and product thinking.
I’ve led design for Omnipractice (a SaaS for mental health providers) and recently built Fairsplits.
I’m currently looking to rejoin a structured product team after working independently — would love your advice on how to position that story better for hiring managers.”
You’re not asking for a referral yet — you’re asking for advice.
People love to give advice. And once they see your work, the referral often follows naturally.
⁠

🌐 3.

Design Communities With Hiring Pipelines

These are the hidden gems — where recruiters actually scout, but the environment is peer-driven, not bureaucratic.

Join or re-engage with:

DesignBoat Alumni Group (Slack/Discord) – many ex-students work at top design orgs now. Ask if anyone’s company is hiring.
The Designership Discord – active global hiring board, portfolio reviews, and direct recruiter reachouts.
UX Jobs Board / UX Collective Slack / ADPList – great for 1:1 mentor sessions and referrals.
GrowthX or IndieDesigners Slack – several founders hire directly through these.
💡 Action: Spend 30 mins a day engaging or posting — “Just redesigned my case study for Omnipractice, would love feedback.”
Recruiters lurking there will often DM you directly.
⁠

🚀 4.

Strategic Referrals (The “3-Message System”)

Once you find someone inside a target company, use this soft 3-step method:
Message 1 – Connection
“Hey [Name], love what your team is doing at [Company]. I’ve been following your product and really admire the design system approach.”
Message 2 – Share Context
“I’ve been leading design at a US SaaS startup and recently built Fairsplits independently. I’m looking to rejoin structured teams like yours — could you advise if the design team is growing?”
Message 3 – Ask for Referral (if warm)
“Thanks a lot for the insight! Would it be okay if I mention your name when I apply? I think the role really aligns with my background.”
This gives them comfort — you’re respectful, relevant, and real.
⁠

🧱 5.

Backup Option — Design Placement Programs

If you’d prefer something structured, there are a few legitimate placement programs that help experienced designers transition back into full-time roles (especially after breaks):
DesignBoat’s Placement Support (for alumni) — ask them to reactivate your portfolio in their hiring pool.
Uplift Design Fellowship — focuses on positioning designers for product startups.
Superhuman Design Jobs (by Abhinit Tiwari) — curated list + mentoring for product designers.
ADPList’s “Hire Designers” program — connects verified designers with recruiters directly.
These act as “soft HR verification” — which helps neutralize your Sprung setup entirely.





Want to print your doc?
This is not the way.
Try clicking the ··· in the right corner or using a keyboard shortcut (
CtrlP
) instead.