What is a user research work sample and why do you need one?

Let’s start off with the basics; what is a UXR work sample and why should you have one? 

Potential employers often ask candidates to present their work samples or case studies in the interview process to understand how you think through research and address high-level questions that come up. This presentation tells employers and teams a lot about how you work and it is a preview of how you’ll present your future research findings. 

6 key components of a research-focused work sample

There are a few things that separate a good work sample from a great one and perhaps the biggest differentiating factor is the ability to show your reasoning behind what you did. If you take nothing else from this article, understand that when it comes to your portfolio, the ‘why’ is just as important, if not more, than the ‘what!’

Now let’s delve into the key components that should be in every UX research portfolio:

1. Your research process and toolbox

No matter what kind of projects you choose to include in your portfolio, you should be prepared to talk through what your general process looks like, for example: 

• What was your problem statement?
• How did you decide who to speak to? 
• What information did you gather before getting started with a research plan? 
• How did you keep your stakeholders in the loop? 
• How did you analyze data? 
• How did you share deliverables?
  

Make sure to walk through your approach to research questions and how your research is influenced by the overall objectives of your team and the business.

You should also think through how long projects usually take you and how you adapt to different timelines based on the needs of your stakeholders. Touching on these will show your forethought and creativity as you lead research efforts. 

And make sure to convey your role in each project that you choose to include in your work sample portfolio. Don’t make your audience guess or assume your problem statement or project parameters, state them directly.

Finally, it’s always nice to include the research tools that you have experience with so interviewers know that you can hit the ground running. Showcase your go-to tools for different methodologies and prepare to talk through some of their pros and cons.

2. How you collaborate with your key stakeholders

Employers will want a sense of how you communicate with your stakeholders to keep them informed and engage them as your strategic partners. Oftentimes, stakeholders come to researchers with lots of high-level questions or gaps in their understanding. Be sure to include how you advise the scope of the project, and think through some of the following questions as you put together your case studies: 

• How do you gather buy-in throughout your research? 
• How do you get creative with tight timelines or limited resources? 
• Do you build out your research plan alongside your stakeholders and help them to refine questions? 
• How do you keep your team updated as you conduct research? 
  

3. Decisions you made (and why!)

From choosing a research methodology to picking your sample and sharing your insights, you make tons of decisions as a researcher. It is important to share the decisions you’ve made and the thought processes behind them. For example:

• Talk through why you chose your methods. Did you consider alternate methods? If so, what were the pros and cons of each?
• How did you approach recruitment? Were there any constraints? If so, how did you manage them?
• Walk through how you socialized your findings. How did you decide your first audience and how to share your work?
  

Fold these details into the story to illustrate how you craft the path of your research and how you respond to constraints that arise.

4. Outcomes of your work

It’s imperative to show what comes out of your research and how you use the information. Some of the best work samples I’ve seen incorporate samples of the deliverables for a case study. If you can’t reveal the specifics due to privacy concerns or company rules about sharing research, a ‘clean’ or redacted sample can still help demonstrate your process to prospective employers. 

Pro tip: To make your portfolio presentation stand out, speak to how you set expectations with your stakeholders in the beginning of your project, and how you follow through at the deliverable stage to make sure insights are actionable for each stakeholder? How do you socialize your insights and tailor them to your audience?

5. Impact you made at your organization

Possibly the most important point to touch on as you are presenting your case studies is your impact! What changed due to your research? What was your return on investment (ROI)? 

There are many ways to assess impact—explain how you’re measuring the results of your research and how a team, company, or product improved thanks to your work. 

6. What you’d do differently if you could do a project all over again

I alway make sure to wrap up a case study with a note on what I would’ve done differently if I had the chance. This shows humility as a researcher and that you are willing to learn and improve as you go. Would you have chosen a different method if you had more time, funds, or a bigger pool to recruit participants from? Include these details to demonstrate your commitment to continuous growth!

Wrapping up

I wish you the best in building your UX research work samples and presenting your case studies! If you would like more tips on how to structure your portfolio and coaching to help secure your next (or first!) role in UXR, check out my website: eniolaabioye.com. 

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🎙 How to Break Into User Research: Career Advice for Aspiring UXRs

Eniola joined the hosts of Awkward Silences for a live podcast episode and audience Q&A on breaking into a user research career. Listen, watch, or read the transcript.

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