John Smith

Senior UX Design Manager @ Apple | ex-Google, ex-Amazon
5.0
(162 reviews)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 162 reviews | 87% land roles at design mature companies
United States of America Active today Usually responds in a few hours

Services

$820 / month

Includes a call every two weeks + daily email/chat/feedback on artifacts

2 calls per month (30min/call)

Unlimited Q&A via chat

Expect responses in 3-4 days

Hands-on support

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About

The UX design job market is tough, but I’m here to help!
📈 93% of my mentees get interviews within 5 weeks of of updating their portfolios and job materials with me
📊 87% land roles at design mature, name-brand companies, of which 97% with role & salary upgrades
(*Stats updated December 2025, based on data from the past 2.5 years. Happy to share the raw stats.)

Two things set me apart as a mentor:

1. Funnel-based mentoring — Every 6 months, I run studies with recruiters and hiring managers to understand how the hiring funnel really works at different companies. I know where it’s strong, where it breaks down, and how candidates can take advantage of gaps. My coaching is structured around that funnel, so you’re not just polishing a portfolio — you’re moving strategically through every stage of the hiring process.

2. Deep offline support — Between calls, I give daily written feedback, structured guides, and clear next steps. You’ll never be left guessing what to do next.

I lead UX for Apple’s communication apps — Messages, FaceTime, Mail, Phone and Contacts. I have 20+ years of experience designing mass-scale products at Google (like Gmail, Meet, Messages) and now Apple, along with a strong startup background. I also have a background in higher-ed teaching.

I'm on the hiring committee for Apple. I've also been on the hiring committee for Google and Amazon. I know what stands out. I love helping others navigate similar opportunities 🚀.

Let’s connect! I’ll get back to you within 24 hours to set up a free introductory call 📞. Our first call involves a career worksheet 📋, and from there, I’ll provide detailed notes and a structured plan.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/john--ux

What mentees say

5 out of 5 stars

I had a truly great experience working with John. From the very first session, I felt listened to and understood. His feedback was thoughtful, practical, and always tailored to my specific goals and challenges. What I appreciated most was his ability to ask the right questions - not just giving answers, but helping me think more clearly and confidently about my next steps. The sessions were well-structured, yet flexible, and always left me with concrete takeaways and a clear direction. I would highly recommend John to anyone looking for honest guidance, strategic thinking, and genuine support in their professional growt

Marta

Marta

Lite Plan • 23 months

Marta wrote 1 more review for the same mentorship

5 out of 5 stars

I had the privilege of being mentored by John, and it was a life-changing experience. John's expertise in our field is amazing, but what really makes him different is his deep empathy and great motivational skills. For me, the greatest obstacles were projects that were too numerous to handle efficiently. John helped me structure a strategic plan which helped me increase my productivity at large, while simultaneously reducing stress levels substantially. His approach is tailored; he takes the time to understand where I need the most help and then tailors his mentoring technique to that. John's feedback was always constructive and timely. The resources with which he provided me were of tremendous value and really directly applicable to my work. His responsiveness was really amazing, and he would go above and beyond to make you feel supported and appreciated. What really defines John is his ability to pivot according to my changing needs. Whether I needed detailed feedback or wanted advice on my professional journey, he always provided me with the most insightful level of help. The progress I made with John was exponential compared to any prior attempts to tackle these issues alone. Our mentoring meetings were always enlightening and enjoyable. One of the most memorable was when I was extremely stressed at work and felt overwhelmed by not fulfilling our plan. John helped me to know it wasn't my fault and never ever judged me for the setback. His empathy and reassurance during that time did wonders in helping me regain confidence and put things into perspective. Overall, I am greatly satisfied with John. His empathetic and motivational skills were what made my professional journey better. I definitely recommend John for those who want to be under the wing of a mentor whose support will definitely have a positive effect on their growth and development.

Marta

Marta

5 out of 5 stars

I reached out to John when I felt stuck in my role and lacked the confidence and structure to take the next step in my career. His continuous motivation, structured approach to building case studies, and detailed guidance helped me grow in my current role, create a strong portfolio, feel confident in interviews, and land my next role with ease. Working with John was a true investment in my professional growth, and I 100% recommend him to anyone looking for an excellent mentor and an honest, supportive relationship.

Andriana

Andriana

Lite Plan • 35 months

Andriana wrote 1 more review for the same mentorship

5 out of 5 stars

John is a fantastic mentor. His approach is personal and targeted to my needs, his guidance is thoughtful and effective while the resources provided throughout the sessions are very useful. I fully recommend John to anyone who is looking for structured guidance tailored to their needs.

Andriana

Andriana

5 out of 5 stars

My mentorship with John has been transformative for my transition from graphic design to UX design. Initially overwhelmed by portfolio development, client management, and professional workflows, John's guidance proved instrumental to my growth. John's portfolio feedback was exceptional, providing detailed, actionable critiques on my case studies. His meticulous review of my Figma files significantly improved my projects, from UI interactions and component states to screen transitions, animations, icons, accessibility considerations, and layout strategies for the nurse dashboard and intake dialogs. Beyond design deliverables, John guided me through essential UX processes. He reviewed my usability testing plans, refining participant emails and interview scripts to ensure proper concept validation. He shared resources on developer handoff, anticipated project next steps, and encouraged exploration of alternative solutions. What sets John apart is his genuine commitment to mentee success. He connected me with a startup project and guided me behind the scenes, an invaluable real-world opportunity for a newcomer. He offered to connect me with another startup opportunity and shared resources for job hunting and interviews when our mentorship ended. Throughout our collaboration, John remained supportive, encouraging ("Amazing progress!!!"), and insightful. He adapted our mentorship plan as needed while delivering constructive feedback promptly. Working with John significantly strengthened my portfolio, deepened my understanding of UX processes, and boosted my confidence tremendously. I wholeheartedly recommend John to anyone serious about advancing in UX design. For deep, practical guidance that pushes you to excel while genuinely investing in your success.

Scott

Scott

Lite Plan • 3 months

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