I just graduated in December with a broad design degree focusing on interaction design. I’ve been applying for jobs/internships/development programs since the Fall and haven’t received any interviews yet. I have a weak portfolio since my degree wasn’t entirely focused on UX, so does anybody have advice on how to build a more impressive portfolio without work experience or actual company projects? If anyone has any other advice for someone just starting out, I welcome that too!

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I'm not opposed to showing "fake" work. You can create a project (or use a site that generates a project prompt) and create a piece for your portfolio. I think case studies are super important. They show your thinking—not just your final product.

Try to network with folks too. Set up coffee chats with other designers in your community.

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If you have prior experience, try and translate into UX experience. For example, if you have spent a lot of talking to customers, you could highlight how empathizing with your customers helped you deliver better service. You can find other examples on the internet.

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