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Tianyu, Lead UX Researcher at ZipRecruiter: Advize Career Interview
A Lead UX Researcher at ZipRecruiter, Tianyu, shares a fascinating career journey starting with a digital publishing degree and culminating in a leadership role at a public company.
The path involved a master's in human-computer interaction, diverse internships across internet companies, and leveraging strong research methodologies alongside exceptional communication skills.
A typical day involves collaborating with various teams, planning and conducting research, analyzing data, and presenting impactful findings to shape company strategy.
The work demands strategic thinking, demonstrating research's value, and translating insights into actionable product changes.
While the role prioritizes stakeholder management and communication, Tianyu highlights the industry's work-life balance and the importance of being a self-starter.
Tianyu emphasizes the value of passion, internships, connecting individual work to business goals, and effective storytelling for career success, lessons learned from a rewarding yet challenging career path shaped by their immigrant background.
Aspiring UX researchers can learn invaluable insights into this rewarding field from this experience.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Tianyu Lange
Lead UX Researcher
ZipRecruiter
Wuhan University, 2013
Michigan State University, Human-Computer Interaction
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Creative Writing, Journalism
Recruitment
Research and Development (R&D)
International Student, Immigrant
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Career Path Of A Lead UX Researcher At ZipRecruiter
Tianyu's career path began with a digital publishing undergraduate degree, sparking an interest in user experience that led to a master's in human-computer interaction specializing in serious game design. This background, coupled with various internships in "various sides of internet companies," including roles like associate product manager and UX design, culminated in their current position as a Lead UX Researcher at a public company, a role they describe as "more interesting" than design, even while maintaining design skills.
Main Responsibilities of a Lead UX Researcher at ZipRecruiter
As Lead UX Researcher, Tianyu's main responsibilities include "lead[ing] and facilitat[ing] effective communication across teams," translating stakeholder needs into actionable research plans, and analyzing user data to inform product design. This involves mentoring junior researchers, establishing research best practices, and advocating for "user-centered design based on research insights."
A Day In The Life Of A Lead UX Researcher At ZipRecruiter
A Lead UX Researcher's day at ZipRecruiter involves many meetings with stakeholders—"product managers, designers, data scientists, engineers"—to gather context and understand user needs, followed by focused time for research planning, participant recruitment, data analysis, and reporting. The cycle concludes with presentations of findings and recommendations to stakeholders to guide product development, reflecting a crucial role in shaping company strategy through user insights.
Most Important Skills for a Lead UX Researcher at ZipRecruiter
Tianyu, a Lead UX Researcher at ZipRecruiter, emphasizes the necessity of both "advanced research methodologies and tools" and strong "emotional intelligence and communication skills" for success in their role. This includes "translating research insights into strategic recommendations for business growth," showcasing the need for a blend of technical expertise and effective stakeholder management to drive impactful results.
Favorite Parts of Being a Lead UX Researcher at ZipRecruiter
Tianyu, a Lead UX Researcher at ZipRecruiter, most enjoys "being able to add the frontline interacting with users" to understand their needs and advocate for them within the company. This role also allows Tianyu to connect different business departments, ensuring a "seamless and more cohesive experience for users" by bridging communication gaps between teams.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Lead UX Researcher At ZipRecruiter
Tianyu's biggest challenges as a Lead UX Researcher at ZipRecruiter center on demonstrating the return on investment of research, which "might take time to show," and ensuring research insights translate into actionable product changes; the work requires "strategic measurement" and follow-through to guarantee implementation.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Internet Industry As A Lead UX Researcher
Tianyu, a Lead UX Researcher at ZipRecruiter, appreciates the excellent work-life balance in the tech industry, noting "nobody's really policing where you work, how long you work, what time you work," a flexibility Tianyu has experienced across various company sizes, including Meta and Google. This contrasts with recent trends of some companies requiring a return to office and longer hours.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Tech Industry, According To A Lead UX Researcher At Ziprecruiter
Tianyu, a Lead UX Researcher at ZipRecruiter, highlights the importance of being a "self-starter" in the industry, emphasizing the need for proactive problem-solving and time management skills in a remote work environment where "nobody is really policing you". This necessitates the ability to "pick what to work on and know how to manage your time to get the most important things done".
What a Lead UX Researcher at ZipRecruiter Wishes They Knew Before UX Research
Tianyu, a Lead UX Researcher at ZipRecruiter, reveals a crucial, often overlooked aspect of the role: "you actually spend least time doing actual research, most of your time with the before and after the actual project," emphasizing the importance of stakeholder communication and impactful findings dissemination for career advancement. Becoming a "thought leader and influential character" requires mastering this pre- and post-research process, far beyond strong academic research skills.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring UX Researchers
Entry-level roles like "UX designer," "digital designer," and "product designer" are accessible to undergraduates, with product design often having lower educational requirements. However, Tianyu notes that UX research often requires a master's degree, suggesting students interested in this area should consider graduate programs and "prepare for that."
Significant Career Lesson From a Lead UX Researcher at ZipRecruiter
Tianyu's significant career lesson centers on connecting individual work to broader business goals, emphasizing that "framing and storytelling" are crucial for career advancement. This approach, they found, proves more impactful than the work itself, leading to better outcomes and progress.
College Experiences That Helped a Lead UX Researcher at ZipRecruiter Succeed
Tianyu's undergraduate success stemmed from choosing a field "I truly passionate about," a passion that fueled their graduate studies and current career as a Lead UX Researcher. The experience of completing "three or four internships" exposed Tianyu to diverse companies and products, building confidence for future career choices.
How Identity Has Influenced a Lead UX Researcher at ZipRecruiter's Career
Tianyu's immigrant background, specifically as a "Generation Zero immigrant," instilled a deep appreciation for opportunities and a strong work ethic, shaping their career approach. This "grateful attitude" and willingness to "put in the work," rather than focusing on entitlement, has contributed to career success and a positive outlook, as they believe that hard work and passion are rewarded in the United States.
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