In this video, I’m sharing the full story of how I went from being a UX design contractor to landing a full-time UX design job at the same company. I break down the actual contract details (7 months, higher pay, some health insurance, but no 401k and no PTO), how I got the role through an employment agency, and what the interview process looked like (fast, about two weeks, and no design challenge). The big point I want to make is that contract roles can be a strategic move—if you go in with a plan. My “ultimate contract goal” was always full-time conversion, so I treated the contract like a runway. First, I focused on understanding the company front and back—business model, products, users, competitors, and how stores and tech actually operate—because UX isn’t just creativity. Second, I networked my butt off across the company: designers, researchers, product managers, and engineers, so I could understand team structure, design culture, and whether UX truly had a seat at the table. With three months left, I had serious conversations about extension/conversion, then applied for an open full-time role on another team. Because I’d already built credibility, relationships, and industry context, I felt like I had a real advantage in the interviews—and that’s how I got the offer (and even got the role changed to fully remote so I could stay in LA).