Curious about working at Spotify as a UX author (or, as some locations discuss with the function, content material designer)? Judging by the variety of DMs we obtain, it positive seems to be like you’re. And we get it. UX writing is thrilling and dealing at a music and podcast streaming firm provides some further spice. In this publish, we cowl your most requested questions. Dive in!
Writing the phrases at Spotify. Yup, that’s what we do and that’s what we get plenty of questions on. And whereas we’re busy with, effectively, writing, we don’t need to hold you guessing. A few us UX writers have teamed up, collected your most steadily requested questions, and packaged them into this neat little publish that has all of the solutions you’ve been in search of. Sounds too good to be true? It’s not! We reply every part, from tips on how to get a job at Spotify to what our day-to-day work seems to be like. And extra.
Starting your profession
How did you get into UX writing? (particularly as a non-native speaker)
Anjana Menon: Like most individuals, I didn’t know UX writing was an precise job till I began doing it. My profession kicked off in publishing after which veered into tech. I labored at an Indian tech startup the place I did all kinds of copy and communications-related issues, after which moved into UX writing. Finding a job wasn’t straightforward, particularly once I’m categorised as a non-native speaker. I attempted utilizing this to my benefit as a result of I’ve *studied* English. I do know the foundations, grammar, tenses, and so forth., which assist my editorial expertise.
I think about figuring out a number of languages my superpower. I can instantly inform when one thing received’t work from a localization perspective. Sometimes, once I’m struggling to jot down one thing in English, I attempt to say it in one other language in my head after which translate it again, and that’s how I write one thing within the easiest method attainable.
The notion that you may solely rent native audio system is old school and never inclusive. People usually maintain an unconscious bias in the direction of non-native audio system due to the place we’re born and raised, as a right for our stage of talking and understanding of the language. We might be as fluent as native audio system, and we’re used to talking to different non-native audio system, so it’s very easy for us to simplify the language so everybody can perceive what we’re saying.
Starting your profession
What other forms of writing assist put together somebody for a UX writing profession?
Anjana Menon: All kinds of writing! Copywriting, technical writing, journalism, assist content material writing, and so forth. I feel it’s vital to state that whereas writing is the ultimate output of the work we do, it helps to grasp what goes into writing strings or copy. Understanding design, how person expertise is formed, how information influences your work, and being an excellent storyteller are all issues that contribute to your writing expertise. Showing empathy for folks and being collaborative in your method are mandatory for a UX writing profession. It’s a crew sport, in spite of everything!
How do I construct a portfolio with none expertise?
Fran Catanuso: You can at all times construct a portfolio from auditing a product or web site you like, or a move from the group you’re making use of to. Be upfront about assumptions you are making, from enterprise targets and person issues to segmentation. Show your course of as a lot as your craft and writing expertise! That might imply doing a aggressive audit of a product or business and creating mockups or designing analysis questions and hypotheses you’d need to discover.
How can I study extra about UX writing? Any lessons or programs or books you’d suggest?
Nicole Michaelis: Here’s the excellent news: There are numerous nice, free assets on the market that can assist you study and even observe UX writing. Typing within the time period on Medium, Twitter, or Linkedin will spit out some nice articles and in addition level you within the path of some folks within the area who frequently share insights and ideas. Since I work at a podcasting and music firm, I in fact suggest listening to some podcasts, like Content Rookie (by yours really) or Content Strategy Insights. If you’re in search of coaching or a bootcamp, I do know a number of individuals who suggest the UX Content Collective. Interested in studying instantly from professionals? Find folks to comply with and recommendation on Working in Content or take a look at mentoring choices. Oh, and there are numerous superior books too! My private favourite is Strategic Writing for UX and Letters to a Young Poet—since you ought to always remember about the great thing about working in content material.
Getting employed at Spotify as a UX author
How did you get a job at Spotify?
Fran Catanuso: The Designers had a crack at this query, however in fact it’s kind of completely different for our craft. It differs barely relying on the place within the enterprise you are making use of however usually there’s a take-home take a look at, portfolio presentation, and some chats with potential colleagues.
Here are some steps I took whereas making use of to be UX author at Spotify:
I used my community. I bought referred by means of a good friend and present Spotify worker. Referrals are a robust technique to get your foot within the door, and referees are often incentivised to move on candidates.
I did a present AND inform. For my portfolio and Spotify’s take-home evaluation, I knew it was equally vital to explain my course of because it was to indicate my writing expertise. I wrote succinct downside statements, and included an evidence of my method, earlier than and after screenshots of my copy, and described its enterprise influence.
I interviewed my interviewers. That’s proper! I sized them up. I requested my future colleagues questions in regards to the group construction, enterprise challenges, and their favourite bands.
I referred to as my mother. No, actually. I referred to as my mother after the marathon of 1:1 interviews. She jogged my memory to take a deep breath and that if I used to be myself, it was sufficient. She was additionally the primary particular person I referred to as once I heard again from recruitment. 🥳
Does Spotify rent interns, affiliate, and mid-level UX writers?
Chris Diken: Why sure, we do rent interns! Spotify affords internships in places all over the world, principally over the summer season, together with a wide range of applications for these simply getting began of their careers. Internships can flip into full-time roles, relying on the crew. Summer internship functions usually open each fall. Check out the total listing of alternatives!
In phrases of full-time roles on the affiliate and mid-level, we usually have extra openings on the mid-level, that are listed as “UX Writer” on our jobs web site. But we’re working to get extra affiliate roles open quickly. We’ve had a small, senior-heavy crew for some time, however as we develop, it makes it simpler to carry on UX writers who’re simply beginning to develop.
What would make me stand out as a candidate? What do hiring managers search for in a UX writing portfolio?
Chris Diken: At Spotify, there are some things that may make a UX writing portfolio stand out:
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Bring the info: How did you employ analysis or information to drive your writing choices?
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Show the influence: What outcomes did your work result in?
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Shaping product options: How did messaging affect the ultimate product you delivered?
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Navigating ambiguity: How did you and your crew get by means of a complicated or unclear scenario, and the way did you determine to maneuver ahead?
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Language choices: Why did you select a selected phrase or phrase over one other?
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Localization challenges: How have you ever handled making content material accessible in several areas and languages all over the world?
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Simplicity: Is your portfolio straightforward to navigate and perceive?
Applicants completely don’t want to incorporate all of this stuff, however when you have expertise in any of those areas, give some thought as to if you’ll be able to spotlight it in your portfolio.
UX writing at Spotify
How large are the groups, what’s a typical crew construction, and who’re frequent stakeholders?
Nicole Michaelis: The crew sizes differ rather a lot. I’ve labored on three completely different groups at Spotify. On one, I collaborated with simply three designers, whereas the opposite two have been greater with 12 and 7 designers respectively. The candy spot is dependent upon the initiatives you’re engaged on.
In my expertise, designers usually are not at all times the one shut collaborators. I’ve labored on a crew the place I partnered with builders and the product supervisor. I’ve additionally labored intently with advertising and marketing and localization on some initiatives. I’d say the crew dimension in itself doesn’t say rather a lot about how many individuals you’ll be working with on a day-to-day foundation. The commonest stakeholders are designers, product managers, engineers, localization managers, and fellow writers, in fact!
What’s a typical day appear like? What’s the UX writing course of at Spotify?
Nicole Michaelis: The course of relies upon rather a lot in your crew — its dimension, present initiatives, how work is structured. Some groups have day by day stand-ups that you may be a part of and work in sprints. Other groups have a extra asynchronous method of working and take conferences on demand. After having labored on just a few completely different groups at Spotify, I might say it’s additionally very a lot as much as you and the way you need to work and contribute. Most groups (and managers) are very open to recommendations to methods of working and processes. So share what works for you or strive our new issues — for instance, instruments, workshop codecs, and while you become involved with initiatives.
My typical day is fairly adjusted to my routine. I prefer to rise up early and get numerous product-heavy UX move work achieved within the morning. This consists of writing documentation or engaged on copy in Figma. I often have conferences within the afternoon and check-in with colleagues then. Your day may look completely completely different although.
If you’re concerned with becoming a member of our lineup of proficient, intuitive and user-centered UX Writers, why not apply for open roles on LifeAtSpotify.com?
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