Dominique Simmons🇺🇸

About Dominique Simmons

Customer Experience Program Manager, UX Researcher at Ex-Microsoft

With over 10 years of expertise in customer development, user research, and data science to enable product and engineering teams to learn from customers and build impactful product experiences, I'm here to help you achieve your career goals and navigate a successful path into Program Management or UX Research.

I specialize in:

-Transition from academia to industry -Career pivots from non-traditional backgrounds

I look forward to connecting with you!

Expertise

Sessions with Dominique Simmons

• Complimentary General Mentorship Session (30 min): I'll share general advice on navigating UX interviews, job searches, and career planning based on your career stage and goals. For dedicated guidance such as mock interviews, resume review, and portfolio feedback, please see my other session types.
• Discovery Call (15 min): Let's discuss your goals and how we can work together.
• UX Career Transitions: From Curiosity to Clarity (60 min): Breaking into user experience (UX) and customer experience (CX) can feel confusing and competitive. You’re rarely shown how to translate your existing experience into the language of design and research. This is where I can help. During the session we'll work together to: -Clarify your career direction and target roles in CX or UX. -Unpack your transferable skills so you can position yourself confidently. -Build a concrete, personalized action plan to define the path to your next opportunity. I look forward to working with you!
• Elevate and Revamp your UXR Portfolio (60 min): I'll help you design your portfolio to tell a story hiring managers can’t ignore. Your UX design/research portfolio isn’t just a collection of projects; it’s your voice as a researcher. All too often talented professionals undersell their impact or struggle to communicate their process clearly. This is where I can help. With 10+ years of experience leading UX research across startups, consulting, and big tech teams, I can help you refine your portfolio so it’s strategic, polished, and employer-ready. In your personalized portfolio review session, we’ll: -Evaluate your case studies for clarity, structure, and storytelling flow. -Identify how to highlight your impact, not just your methods. -Strengthen how you frame your role, decisions, and outcomes. -Refine visuals, research artifacts, and presentation style. -Align your portfolio with the roles and companies you’re targeting. Whether you’re preparing for your first UX research interview or pivoting into a new opportunity, you’ll leave with clear, actionable feedback and the confidence to stand out. I look forward to working with you!
• UX Research Mock Interview (30 min): Practice with purpose. Interview with confidence. Stand out faster. UX interviews can be intimidating. Not because you lack the skills but you’re unsure how to communicate your value under pressure. Whether you’re a recent graduate, career switcher, or mid-career designer/researcher preparing for your next big move, I'll help you get interview-ready with clarity and confidence. In your personalized mock interview session, we’ll: -Simulate real UX behavioral interview questions based on your target role, interview stage, and interviewers you'll (likely) encounter -Practice how to structure strong, confident answers using real-world examples. -Identify opportunities to better highlight your impact, process, and critical thinking. You’ll leave with: -Detailed, actionable feedback you can immediately apply. -Clear insight into what interviewers look for -Specific feedback on your delivery and storytelling -The confidence to show up prepared — and stand out from the crowd 60-min sessions available upon request. I look forward to working with you!
• New Job Success Session (30 min): Just landed a new role? The first 30 days set the tone for your success. In this focused 30-minute session, we'll build a clear action plan so you can make a strong first impression and set yourself up for long-term success. We'll cover: -Your first week/month priorities — who to meet, what to observe, and how to listen as your take on your first responsibilities -An initial success map tailored to your role and company -3 concrete actions to take right away Come with your start date, role info, and your biggest concerns and leave with a clear plan.

What mentees say

“I had a great conversation with Dominique! She was incredibly insightful and thoughtful in sharing her experience in CX and helping me think through my own career path. I especially appreciated how practical and candid her perspectives were. I walked away with a much clearer view of how I can continue growing in the CX space. Highly recommend connecting with her!”

“Very helpful and thoughtful meeting. I really appreciated the guidance and the direction you gave me. It helped me understand things more clearly and gave me a better sense of what steps I should take next. Thank you!”

“The session was very insightful and helped me get a clearer picture of CX roles. Dominique was very knowledgeable and had helpful insights.”