Background
I had the pleasure of coaching Aaliyah during Cohort 2 of The Tech Equity Collective Program (a Google initiative). On February 11, 2025, after our cohort meeting, Aaliyah mentioned she was preparing for a critical final-round interview for JPMorgan Chase’s Design Development Program, a highly competitive two-year program.
Aaliyah expressed nervousness and uncertainty about her preparation for the final round. She reached out to me for additional assistance before her final interview, and we scheduled a one-on-one session on February 14, 2025. Despite her impressive design work and technical skills, Aaliyah was struggling to clearly articulate her design process, present her work in alignment with the role’s requirements, and manage interview anxiety. Aaliyah needed more than just portfolio feedback — she needed guidance to craft a compelling story, align her work to business outcomes, and present with confidence.
I know my work inside-out, but I’m struggling to explain it in a way that makes sense to people outside the project. Aaliyah
Coaching Approach
Phase 1: Framing the Narrative
We started by identifying the core story Aaliyah needed to tell:
- What was the problem?
- What was her role and contribution?
- What process did she follow, and how did she solve the problem?
- What was the impact on the organization and users?
I coached her to strip away unnecessary backstory and instead anchor her presentation to the business goals and the user problem.
Phase 2: Process Realignment
Using the job description and design competencies, I walked Aaliyah through a realignment exercise, ensuring her design process mapped directly to industry-standard UX processes. I asked Aaliyah to choose a method that worked for her project. Aaliyah chose the Double Diamond Framework. The Double Diamond framework helped Aaliyah to demonstrate:
- Strategic thinking (discovery, problem framing)
- Collaboration with stakeholders
- Iteration and testing based on user feedback
Key Areas:
- Simplifying the Narrative:
– We restructured her presentation to focus on a single user flow and problem: transforming a terminal-based budgeting tool into a web-based solution.
– We removed unnecessary details, such as multiple user personas and overly technical jargon, to make the story more accessible.
– We emphasized the Double Diamond Design Framework to frame her case study, ensuring it was clear and methodical. - Aligning with Job Requirements:
– We reviewed the job description and tailored her presentation to highlight skills like problem-solving, user research, and iterative testing.
– We reframed her design process to align with the company’s expectations, emphasizing measurable outcomes and user impact. - Improving Visual Clarity:
– We streamlined her slides to focus on key screens and user flows, removing redundant information.
– We added visual hierarchy to her slides, using bullet points and clear headings to guide the audience through her story. - Practicing Delivery:
– We worked on her pacing and tone, ensuring she could confidently present her case study within the time limit.
– We practiced answering potential questions, focusing on how to articulate her design decisions and the impact of her work.
Phase 3: Presentation & Delivery Coaching
We rehearsed the flow of her presentation, with special attention to:
- Pacing: Inserting pauses to give interviewers time to process.
- Temperature Checks: Prompting interviewers for questions at key moments.
- Visual Communication: Using fewer words on slides and adding key visuals to support storytelling.
- Confidence & Poise: Techniques to manage nerves and own the room — even in a virtual setting.
You are the expert. Own the room. Every time you change slides, pause and ask, ‘Any questions so far?’ That turns your presentation into a conversation — and helps you catch your breath. Tarzine Jackson
The Results
Immediate Transformation
In just one 90-minute session, Aaliyah went from anxious and scattered to focused and confident. She transformed her case study into a clear outcome-driven story, directly tied to the job requirements.
“I can’t believe I missed the opportunity to highlight the transformation from terminal-based to web-based design! You helped me see the real story and made me rethink how I frame my work.” Aaliyah
Tangible Outcome
- Aaliyah delivered her refined case study for her interview.
- She not only landed the offer — her interviewer was so impressed that they offered to personally mentor her once she joined the company.
- The entire process — from first coaching session to offer — took just 6 days.
Aaliyah’s Testimonial
I just wanted to send a quick thank you for all your guidance as I prepared for my final interview. The presentation went really well! The interviewers understood the story I was telling, and I got really great reactions. My first interviewer told me that when I get to Chase, he’d love to be my mentor, which was such a standout moment.
I really appreciate you taking significant time out of your busy schedule to help me. Your insights made such a difference, and I couldn’t have done this without your support and patience. Looking forward to keeping you updated as I start this new chapter! Aaliyah
Final
This case study demonstrates how targeted coaching can resolve critical presentation gaps, build confidence, and achieve measurable success in a short timeframe. By focusing on narrative clarity, process alignment, and delivery, Aaliyah walked into her interview with confidence and delivered a polished, outcome-driven presentation.
Aaliyah not only landed her dream job, she impressed her interviews —not just by her work, but by her ability to articulate her design decisions and the impact of her solutions. Aaliyah also gained a mentor, setting her up for long-term career growth.
Why This Matters
Aaliyah’s story isn’t unique. Many designers struggle with the same challenges:
- Overloading presentations with unnecessary details.
- Misaligning their process with industry standards.
- Focusing too much on personal context instead of business impact.
- Letting anxiety sabotage their delivery.
Whether you’re preparing for a high-stakes interview, refining your portfolio, or leading a team presentation, my coaching is designed to deliver quick, tangible results.
Ready to transform your next presentation?
Let’s work together » to turn your anxiety into confidence and your potential into success.
Coaching Testimonial
An insightful discussion on how to turn dreams into goals.
My call with Tarzine was very insightful and allowed me to refocus my job hunting strategy with tips on how to optimize both my portfolio and resume.
Knowledgeable Experts
Tarzine Jackson is one of the most knowledgeable experts in design technology I’ve ever met. However, her true brilliance shines in one-on-one sessions with clients, where she crafts personalized strategies tailored to their unique needs. It’s in these moments that her deep industry experience becomes truly evident.
Top-notch Designer and Career Coach!
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Hands Down, Best Decision Ever
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Mentor session on ADPList
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Tarzine helped me feel confident in interviews as well as helped me narrow down my resume to make it more competitive for others. I am grateful for what she has taught me and hone in my skills!
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Amazing!
She is straightforward and direct with her analysis. She quickly zeros in on blind spots and missed details.
Working with Tarzine was a turning point for me. Her expertise, practical advice, and approach helped me understand what I needed to do to enhance my portfolio.
