$820 / month
2 calls per month (30min/call)
Unlimited Q&A via chat
Expect responses in 2 days
Hands-on support
No credit card required
One-off sessions with John
One-off sessions are a great option if you’re looking for specific advice on a certain topic.
If you're looking for a mentor, and you're just not sure about how this all works – this one is for you. In a casual, informal introductory call, a mentor will introduce themselves, show you around the platform, explain how our mentorships work, and explain …
Whatever doesn't fit the mold: Get a full hour to discuss your career challenges -- be it working within a complex organization, navigating your career, or growing as a designer. If your issue truly doesn't fit the mold, and you're not sure whether or not …
Some big interviews coming up? In this 1-hour session, you'll receive actionable feedback on your interview presence and readiness. Choose one of the following to work on: 1. whiteboard challenge 2. behavioral interviews 3. portfolio walkthrough 4. app critique I'll go through with you: - …
As a UX hiring manager, I’m very familiar with the UX hiring process. I can help you prioritize what you need to prepare, plus give you some structure and accountability. This is a package to book 3 x 1-hour sessions. We can go through any …
Whatever doesn't fit the mold: Buy a package of 3x 1hour sessions to discuss your career challenges -- be it working within a complex organization, navigating your career, or growing as a designer. If your issue truly doesn't fit the mold, and you're not sure …
👋 Hi!! I currently run UX for Apple's iPhone and device teams, based in the Bay Area. I’ve spent 20+ years leading design teams at Google (YouTube, Maps, Gmail), Amazon, and now Apple, with plenty of startup experience too.
As a mentee, you’ll have hands-on support from me. Our first call entails going through a career worksheet. From there, I'll dive right in with tons of written notes and a structured plan. You’ll have a free intro call to make sure my mentorship is the right fit!
I come prepared to our sessions with written notes and structured activities. I focus on being inquisitive, tailored to you, and above all collaborative. When you leave sessions, you'll know exactly what to do next and why.
As a mentor, I can help you:
- Navigate a career change into ux, user research or visual design
- Create a compelling portfolio and case study presentation
- Prepare for behavioral & technical interviews, and whiteboard challenge
- Build a hiring strategy, prepare for interviews, resume and LinkedIn profile reviews
I'm super passionate about giving back, and shaping the future community of UX designers. Let's connect! I’ll get back to you within 12 hours to set up an intro call.
5 out of 5 stars
It was great working with John as a UX mentor. I needed a boost to my resume and case studies and working with John accelerated my progress tremendously. He gave me great guidance and feedback as I was updating my materials. He is also incredibly organized and responsive. I hope to work with John again in the future.
5 out of 5 stars
I collaborated with John S. for over a year. Even at our first meeting, I could tell he had a lot of experience - he was super well-prepared and responded quickly. But what really made him stand out was his resourcefulness and positive attitude. It felt like a much-needed breath of fresh air during those tough times when things were challenging at work and in my personal life. He provided invaluable support and showed empathy and understanding that reignited my motivation. It reminded me in a deep way why I was on this path in the first place. And his resume revisions were praised by a recruiter for being authentic and "innovative". Under John's guidance, I restructured my case studies. But it was an educational process where I learned how to really craft those narratives myself, moving away from the overused "bootcamp" model. Although structured, his mentorship is not rigid; he adapts to your evolving needs. When I was curious to explore more about Design Ops, he quickly provided resources explaining what that transition would lead to, my future career opportunities and if that would be a good choice for me. At first, I didn't even bother with cover letters. But John showed me how to "sell" my work, which had felt impossible before. Looking at those cover letters and my final resume, I thought I'd done a lot of interesting work, the opposite of how I previously failed to see value in my own efforts. John helped me recognize my value and potential. When it came to the final stage, the job interview requiring past references, John quickly stepped in because one of my former managers was slow in responding. It did lend a certain impressive quality, having a reference come from someone of John's considerable professional experience. I'll smile remembering his cheery "Hello, hello!" greeting our sessions. John left an impression by providing clarity during an ambiguous time.
5 out of 5 stars
I had the privilege of being mentored by John for over six months, and his guidance has truly transformed my career. As a Senior Product Designer who hadn't experienced strong design leadership before, I found John's expertise and empathetic approach incredibly refreshing and supportive. John helped me tackle various challenges while I was applying for new jobs. From tailoring my resume and creating case studies for my online portfolio to preparing for interviews, he guided me through the entire process seamlessly. One of the biggest hurdles John helped me overcome was presenting my work through engaging storytelling. His strategic feedback and tailored advice turned my career and work into a cohesive, compelling narrative. The insightful articles and practical tools he provided were also invaluable. John's mentoring approach is both structured and adaptable. He took the time to understand my specific needs and goals, and he was always ready to adjust his strategy based on my progress and any new challenges that arose. I am incredibly satisfied with John's mentorship. His guidance has had a lasting impact on my career, and I highly recommend him to anyone looking to grow in their career, regardless of their level of seniority.
Notify me when John has new spots
We will send you a quick email if John has new open spots for mentorship, and only in that case!
Book an intro call with John
Connect with John in a quick call (usually under 30 minutes)