$820 / month
2 calls per month (30min/call)
Unlimited Q&A via chat
Expect responses in 3-4 days
Hands-on support
📈 97% of mentees I’ve worked with secured 3+ interviews within 6 weeks of a targeted strategy and portfolio overhaul.
🏢 92% landed full-time roles at design-mature companies or Series B–D startups.
⏱ Median time from portfolio overhaul to offer: 11 weeks
(140+ mentees tracked. Updated March 2026. Anonymized data available)
Read 165+ mentee reviews below ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
My mentorship is structured differently than most:
🎯 Funnel-based mentoring
I run structured studies with recruiters and hiring managers every 6 months to reverse-engineer how candidates actually get evaluated. Combined with my experience on hiring committees at Apple, Google, and Amazon, this gives you a clear advantage.
🧠 Daily offline support
You get continuous written feedback, structured guides, and clear next steps between calls so you always know exactly what to improve and why.
What actually changes 🚀
• Your case studies clearly shows more strategic decision-making, not just UI
• Hiring managers quickly understand your impact and scope
• You position your work against real job requirements
• You walk into interviews with a clear narrative and strong examples
2026 Q1 outcomes 📊
• 4 designers went from 0 interviews to 3–4 onsites within 5 weeks after restructuring one case study
• 2 career switchers landed their first UX role in under 3 months after 9 months of no traction
• 2 mid-level designers earned promotions within a year after repositioning their work
• 2 new grads landed roles within 8 weeks after building real client work and translating it into strong case studies
• 3 mentees secured contract roles at top tech companies, with 3 converting to full-time
A little about me:
I currently lead UX for Apple’s core communication apps including Messages, FaceTime, Mail, Phone, and Contacts. I’ve designed and shipped products at Google and Apple, and served on hiring committees across Apple, Google, and Amazon. I know exactly how candidates are evaluated and how to help you stand out.
Now offering a free, no-commitment intro call 📞
I’ll reply within 24 hours to schedule
We’ll start with a short career worksheet and I’ll map out a clear, personalized plan
5 out of 5 stars
I can’t recommend John enough. When I first started working with him two years ago, I was a fresh bootcamp graduate struggling to find my footing. Thanks to his guidance, I didn’t just break into the design industry—I’ve already navigated a promotion from Associate to Mid-level designer in less than a year at my current company. John’s greatest strength is his structure. His resources and strategies are incredibly clear, which took the guesswork out of my professional development. Unlike some mentors who give vague advice, John provides actionable feedback that makes it extremely easy to identify and execute next steps. He has a deep understanding of the current market and knows exactly how to help a mentee plan for it. I am incredibly thankful for his support and would encourage any designer looking to level up to work with him.
Standard Plan • 2 years
5 out of 5 stars
John was phenomenal. I went back and forth for a while on whether I even needed a mentor and tried to figure everything out on my own first. Looking back, I wish I had worked with him sooner. He completely changed how I approach my portfolio, resume, and interviews. He helped me turn my work into a clear, structured story, refine my resume to match what recruiters are actually looking for, and prepare for interviews in a way that feels natural and confident. Before working with him, I struggled to explain my work and wasn’t sure if I was on the right track. Now I go into interviews feeling prepared, confident, and much clearer in how I present my experience. Within a few weeks of refining my portfolio, I started getting traction with interviews. What stood out most was how honest and practical his feedback was. Nothing felt generic or surface-level. Every session had clear, actionable next steps, and I always knew exactly what to improve. Really grateful for his help. It made a much bigger difference than I expected.
Lite Plan • 1 year
5 out of 5 stars
Truly the best mentor! Goes above and beyond, providing thoughtful, detailed advice and practical tools on anything you ask about. From case studies and interview prep to design challenges, industry knowledge, resumes, and cover letters, I learned so much. I’m incredibly grateful for everything and will carry it with me into my future roles.
Pro Plan • 6 months
Mentees who work with a mentor for 3+ months reach their goals 2x faster than those going it alone. Long-term mentorship means fewer false starts, more focused sessions, and support that builds week after week.
97% satisfaction across all mentors
Personalized feedback and growth plans
Trusted by thousands of mentees
John Smith
Senior UX Design Manager at Apple | ex-Google, ex-Amazon
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One-off sessions with John
One-off sessions are a great option if you're looking for specific advice on a certain topic.
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