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.

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

Kaisin

Kaisin

Lite Plan • 14 months

Kaisin wrote 1 more review for the same mentorship

5 out of 5 stars

I’ve really enjoyed my mentoring sessions with John! He’s incredibly friendly and genuinely invested in helping me achieve my goals. What I appreciate most is how he encourages me to push for the best possible outcome, even if it means going through multiple iterations. He’s also incredibly responsive—whenever I need feedback, he gets back to me almost immediately, which has been a tremendous help. I recommend John's mentorship to anyone who is breaking into UX Design!

Kaisin

Kaisin

5 out of 5 stars

Saiteja

Saiteja

Lite Plan • 2 months

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