Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody | UX, Product Design, UX Research

Have you been applying to UX jobs you know you're qualified for and still not hearing back? Chances are, your experience isn't the problem, it's how you're presenting it.After nearly a decade of coaching UX and product professionals and reviewing thousands of resumes, portfolios, and LinkedIn profiles, Sarah has seen the same red flag mistakes show up again and again. The candidates making them are talented, experienced designers who simply were never taught how to market themselves.In this episode, Sarah breaks down one major red flag mistake for resumes, portfolios, and LinkedIn. Spoiler alert: fixing it doesn't require months of work.Sarah also shares the story of Jonathan, a UX director with 20 years of experience who was getting ghosted on 75% of his applications. He was qualified, but his materials weren't telling his story effectively. Once he addressed the right things, he landed an executive-level role at the University of Houston.Your materials don't have to be perfect... they need to be 10% better than everyone else making the same, avoidable, mistakes.Topics Discussed✅ What hiring managers and applicant tracking systems are silently penalizing you for✅ Why showing deliverables without context, process, or decision-making is leaving hiring managers cold✅ What to put in your LinkedIn headline instead of just your job title and company name (and why)✅ How to optimize your LinkedIn profile for the algorithm✅ How to rewrite vague resume bullet points so they communicate scope and outcomes✅ Why talented UX professionals with years of experience still struggle to get interviews✅ How to break out of the perfection trap that's keeping you in research modeLinks From This Episode:🔗 Free UX Portfolio Case Study Template🔗 Optimizing Your LinkedIn Headline🔗 How to optimize your resume for the ATS so you can get more UX job interviews🔗 EP 170: Jonathan's Journey From UX Layoff to UX Executive💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Do you ever wonder what happens on the other side of a UX job application, like who's reading your portfolio, what makes them keep going, and what makes them close the tab? Sarah sits down with Jeni Bible, a UX Manager at Home Depot who has a uniquely full-circle perspective.Jeni went through Career Strategy Lab, landed her role at Home Depot just four months later, and is now the hiring manager evaluating candidates for that same type of position. Jeni brings 27 years in the design industry, starting as a graphic designer, running her own agency for two decades, and making her way into UX through e-commerce. She now leads the online UX team at homedepot.com, focused on critical touchpoints like checkout, payments, and promotions.In this conversation, Jeni gets candid about what she looks for in a portfolio, why most candidates miss the mark in interviews, and what she told recruiters to help them filter the right people for her team. If you're in the thick of a UX job search or considering a career pivot, this interview with Jeni will be insightful.Topics discussed in this episode:✅ How to get your application through a UX recruiters initial filter✅ What portfolio format impresses UX recruiters more than a polished personal website✅ The questions to ask a UX recruiter that the job description won't answer✅ Why UX recruiters want to see failed tests and pivots, not just polished outcomes✅ The panel interview move that almost always advances candidates to the next round✅ How to include a canceled project in your UX portfolio without it hurting your chances✅ Home Depot's UX career ladder explained and how contractor roles can open the door✅ How Jeni uses peer feedback as a hiring managerLinks From This Episode:Home Depot CareersContractor DepotTimestamps:00:00 Introducing Jeni Bible, UX Manager01:13 Online vs. enterprise UX at Home Depot02:32 Jeni's 27-year path into UX05:35 Translating agency experience to in-house roles07:47 What to ask recruiters on the first call11:32 How CSL helped Jeni find direction15:04 Tailoring a portfolio for a manager role22:36 From 1,500 applicants to 1024:07 Password-protected portfolios29:08 What Jeni looks for in case studies33:32 Candidates who don't ask about the team36:27 Let the hiring manager choose your case study39:22 Video case studies and prototype demos that stood out41:48 The art of the pause during portfolio presentations49:40 How to handle a canceled project in your portfolio51:27 Reaching out on LinkedIn: what works, what doesn't💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

What does it take to build a UX portfolio that makes a hiring manager stop scrolling? Alexander Zeh, Head of Product Design at ManyChat, is here to share how he approaches hiring and what many candidates get wrong.In this episode of the Career Strategy Podcast, Sarah Doody sits down with Alexander Zeh, a design leader with over 20 years of experience who has scaled UX teams from 5 to 43 people. Alexander is refreshingly direct about what he's looking for and what sends candidates straight to the 'no' pile.He breaks down how he structures his hiring process to reduce bias, why a failed project can be a stronger case study than a polished one, how to handle NDA-protected work, and why the "hero designer" narrative is working against you. Whether you're actively applying to UX roles or just trying to understand what hiring managers are really thinking, this conversation will change how you approach your next portfolio presentation.Topics discussed in this episode:✅ Why Alexander treats team diversity as a design decision✅ The grading criteria that lets hiring managers make a confident call✅ Why clear writing and articulation matter more than Figma fluency✅ How constraints and failed projects can make a stronger case study than a polished outcome✅ How claiming to do it all might be a red flag to hiring managers✅ Whether UX job seekers in different countries need different portfolios ✅ How to handle NDA-protected work✅ Why showing your thinking at every fork in the road matters more than the final productLinks From This Episode:ManyChat Careers PageMetaviewCSL Podcast Episode ArchiveTimestamps:00:57 Intro: Alexander and ManyChat03:10 Alexander's career journey07:26 From consulting to in-house leadership12:36 Building diverse teams intentionally15:26 Why grading criteria beats "I'll know it when I see it"16:22 Blind submissions to avoid groupthink18:16 What hiring managers actually look for22:19 What standout candidates do differently28:09 Does location affect your UX job search?35:25 Showing impact without a happy ending44:34 Resilience, vision, and holding the tension47:55 Handling NDA work in your portfolio💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Are you spending hours on your UX job search but not actually making progress? The problem usually isn't effort. It's focus. Most job seekers stay busy tweaking portfolios, scrolling job boards, and hanging out in Slack groups, but at the end of the day, they can't point to anything that moved them closer to getting hired.In this episode of the Career Strategy Podcast, Sarah Doody shares a simple Post-It note hack that transformed how she runs her business, and how you can use the same concept to cut through the noise and focus on what actually matters in your job search.Topics discussed in this episode:✅ The 6-word question a business coach told Sarah to write on a Post-It note✅ Why "being busy" in your job search is not the same as making progress✅ How to identify what your job search actually needs right now✅ Why tweaking your portfolio for the fifth time probably isn't the answer✅ How to create your own Post-It note filter for your UX job search✅ The difference between false productivity and real momentumTimestamps:00:00 The best productivity tool might be a Post-It note00:24 The 6-word question that changed how Sarah runs her business02:24 Why "is this a revenue generating activity" was a game changer04:49 Your job search is like a business05:45 How to write your own Post-It note question06:30 The trap of tweaking your portfolio all Saturday07:06 False sense of productivity and why it's the enemy of getting hired08:45 You don't need more time, you need the right focus09:33 Send Sarah your Post-It note on LinkedIn💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

After being laid off, Jonathan spent months applying to everything and getting almost nowhere. Even with 20 years of UX experience, 75% of his applications ended in silence or rejection. In this episode of Career Strategy Lab, Sarah Doody catches up with Jonathan now that he's landed an Executive Director of Web Experience role at the University of Houston Downtown He shares what changed in his job search when he stopped applying to everything and started being intentional about where, how, and to whom he was presenting himself.Topics discussed in this episode: ✅ Why applying to everything actually slows your job search down✅ How getting more specific and intentional led to significantly more callbacks✅ The power of peer accountability and working sessions in a community✅ How to think about your portfolio presentation vs. your website✅ Why two versions of your resume matter in today's ATS-driven hiring landscape✅ The "ugly first draft" mindset and why it helps you move fasterTimestamps:01:03 Jonathan's new role: Executive Director of Web Experience02:32 Why DIY-ing his job search wasn't working03:16 The tipping point that led him to join Career Strategy Lab05:30 How niching down changed everything07:00 From 50 applications a week to 512:02 The "ugly first draft" mindset13:40 Treating your job search like an experiment14:29 How to stay objective about your own work15:08 Why confidence is a byproduct of action, not a prerequisite for starting15:49 Imposter syndrome17:16 Keep a log of wins to fight negative self-talk when you're stuck18:36 Walking into interviews with a 30-60-90 day plan21:32 Portfolio website vs. PDF deck23:16 Two versions of your resume: ATS vs. human-readable💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Every month your job search goes on is a month of lost salary. And the thing is, most UX and product people who are stuck aren't lazy. They're working hard, spending hours a week on their search. But they're also spending a lot of that time just waiting: waiting for a response after they apply, waiting after an interview, waiting for the right job to show up. In this episode, Sarah Doody breaks down 3 common ways you waste time in your UX job search and what to do instead so you can start getting interviews, and hired, faster!Topics discussed in this episode: ✅ Why waiting around after applying or interviewing is costing you opportunities✅ How to follow up without seeming desperate✅ Why the "numbers game" approach to job applications backfires✅ How tailoring your resume and UX portfolio helps you apply to fewer jobs but get more interviews✅ Why cold messaging on LinkedIn almost never works✅ How to build warm relationships before you need them so people actually replyTimestamps: 00:00 Every month your job search continues is a month of lost salary 01:08 Time waster #1: Not following up after you apply or interview 03:15 Why following up isn't desperate, it's proactive 04:30 Follow up or be forgotten 05:20 Time waster #2: Sending the same resume and portfolio for every job 07:00 Why applying to fewer jobs with tailored materials gets you hired faster 08:45 How to quickly tailor your resume and portfolio for each role 10:15 Time waster #3: Waiting to build relationships until you need them 11:30 Cold messaging vs. warm messaging 12:45 How to invest in relationships before your job search 14:00 Who to prioritize building relationships with 15:15 Recap: 3 ways to stop wasting time💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

What does it actually take to get hired in UX Design and stand out to UX recruiters? Steph McDonald, a UX Recruiter from HubSpot is here to share how she approaches UX hiring. With 300+ applications often coming in for a single UX design role, the competition is intense. And behind every application is a recruiter making real decisions about who moves forward and who doesn't.In this episode of the Career Strategy Podcast, Sarah Doody sits down with Steph McDonald, a lead UX design recruiter at HubSpot who has spent over 25 years in recruiting. Steph is refreshingly honest about what's happening on the other side of your application. She breaks down exactly how candidates are evaluated, how AI is being used in hiring right now, and the resume and portfolio mistakes that get you skipped. She also shares what she actually wants to see in a portfolio (spoiler: the messy stuff), why one-page resumes drive her crazy, and why those AI-powered bots that apply to jobs on your behalf are doing more harm than good.Whether you're actively applying to UX roles, this conversation will change how you think about showing up as a candidate.Timestamps:00:00 Meet Steph McDonald, UX Design Recruiter at HubSpot01:55 How Steph got into recruiting by accident03:39 How the job market has shifted post-COVID05:28 Why companies are hiring fewer people at higher levels06:35 How long it actually takes to get hired at HubSpot07:51 How HubSpot tweaks its hiring process like a product08:41 Trauma-informed recruiting and candidate empathy10:03 How HubSpot gives candidates real feedback after interviews13:53 How AI is used inside HubSpot's hiring process16:23 Auto-reject questions and how they work18:04 Why AI application bots are hurting candidates21:49 How recruiters feel when they spot AI-generated answers24:58 Resume hot takes: font size, page length, and impact29:22 What Steph looks for in a UX portfolio33:46 Portfolio format: website vs. presentation vs. Google folder34:49 Diversity and inclusion in HubSpot's hiring process38:45 How many people actually get interviewed per role41:21 Can you reach out to a recruiter after getting rejected?45:15 Using video in your portfolio: supplement, not replacement46:02 What "experience with ambiguity" really means50:03 Is HubSpot hiring right now?51:29 Lightning round: first job, dream career, interview pump-up song💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

If your first move when updating your resume, building your UX portfolio, or preparing for an interview is to Google "how do I…" — you're falling into a trap that's slowing down your entire UX job search. In this episode, Sarah Doody breaks down the "Who Not How" framework and explains why the question you should be asking isn't how — it's who. You'll learn why DIYing your job search with Google searches and Reddit threads is costing you time, money, and momentum, and how to start thinking like a high performer instead.Topics discussed in this episode: ✅ The "Who Not How" framework from Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy✅ Why Googling "how to get a UX job" keeps you spinning your wheels✅ The hidden time and money cost of DIYing your job search✅ How high performers think differently about getting help✅ A 3-step exercise to identify where you're stuck and what to do about it✅ Why this concept applies to your career, business, and lifeTimestamps:00:00 Introduction: Are you stuck in the "how" trap?01:43 The concept I can't stop thinking about02:11 The "Who Not How" book explained03:30 The physical therapist analogy04:36 How this applies to your UX job search05:30 The how trap costs you time, money, and momentum07:04 Why asking for help is not a weakness08:15 The "how trap" with your resume09:29 The "how trap" with your portfolio10:15 The "how trap" with job interviews11:44 Takeaway 1: Audit where you've been stuck14:09 Takeaway 2: Match your "how" list to a "who"16:36 Takeaway 3: The real cost of staying stuck17:30 How I took 20 minutes off my marathon with a coach18:54 This applies way beyond your job search💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

UX hiring insights from a UX veteran with 25+ years in UX and product. In this episode, Sarah Doody interviews Dan Maccarone, co-founder of Hard Candy Shell and Charming Robot, fractional Chief Product Officer, and a UX expert who's worked on products for Hulu, Rent the Runway, Foursquare, and the Wall Street Journal. In the episode Dan shares about what he actually looks for when hiring UX people (spoiler: it's not your Figma skills).Dan shares why he doesn't care about tools, why he conducts interviews over drinks instead of in conference rooms, and how he evaluates candidates based on curiosity, empathy, and how they think, not what software they know. He also gets into career reinvention, the rise of fractional leadership roles, and why your hobbies outside of UX might matter more than your case studies.If you're a UX or Product professional navigating your next career move, this conversation will challenge what you think hiring managers care about.What's discussed in this episode:Why Dan has hired people who didn't know Figma — and doesn't careWhat curiosity and a humanities background signal to a hiring managerWhy Dan prefers to conducts interviews with candidates over coffee or drinks, not in conference roomsHow he uses observation and empathy cues to evaluate candidates (the same way you'd do user research)Why he hates design assignments and considers them insultingWhat "career reinvention" looks like after 25 years in UX and how to know when it's timeThe real requirements for going fractional (and why it's not for everyone)Why your identity and hobbies outside of work actually make you better at your job\How he's re-invented his own UX career multiple times💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Feel like your UX job search is full time job? Here are 5 things you can start using today to save time, reduce overthinking, and make real progress in your UX or Product job search. These are tips that Sarah sees working for people inside her UX career coaching program, Career Strategy Lab, and some she uses in her own work every day.Topics discussed in this episode of the Career Strategy Podcast:How to create a plug-and-play script document so you never start from scratch on emails againHow text replacement tools like TextExpander can automate repetitive job search messagesWhy using a Pomodoro timer can dramatically increase your job search productivityWhy committing to following up three times eliminates the worry spiral of being ghostedHow to run a weekly "Job Search CEO Hour" to track what's working and course correct fastRESOURCESText Expander https://textexpander.com/Pomodoro Timer https://pomofocus.io/Flow Timer https://www.flow.app/💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Career maximalism is a mistake that many high achieving professionals make. When you care too much about your job, you can actually become worse at it. In this video, learn what Career Maximalism is, and why this behavior is everywhere, often rewarded, and quietly working against you.Career maximalism is when your job becomes a major source of your identity and your emotional state rises and falls based on how work is going. It often looks like being a great employee, but there's a tipping point where it clouds your judgment, slows your decisions, and makes everything heavier than it needs to be. Sarah Doody discusses the difference between commitment and emotional over-identification, shares a Reddit thread about treating UX as a job instead of an identity, and gives three practical tips for caring deeply without making work who you are.3 tips for avoiding the trap of Career Maximalism: 1) Build proof of your self-worth outside your job with physical challenges, creative projects, community, etc.2) Practice emotional detachment without disengagement. Detachment isn't apathy, it's clarity.3) Set clear standards and boundaries. When expectations are vague, everything becomes emotional.Resources & Links Mentioned: Reddit thread about treating UX as a job instead of an identity🎙️ Ep 163: What is Career Minimalism and How It Can Quietly Weaken Your Career 💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

The idea of career minimalism sounds healthy. But this trending philosophy of your job being a tool, not your identity (especially popular with Gen Z) could be quietly weakening your career if you're not careful.In this episode, Sarah Doody breaks down what career minimalism actually is, why it's gained so much momentum (spoiler: burnout, broken loyalty, and unpredictable layoffs), and the hidden risk most career minimalists never talk about. The real danger isn't doing less at work — it's what you're building (or not building) while you're there.Sarah also discusses the concept of "Portable Equity" and shares three practical tips so you can protect your work-life balance without accidentally making yourself less employable.Timestamps:0:00 Introduction0:58 What is career minimalism?3:24 How did we get here? Burnout, hustle culture, and broken loyalty4:41 Where career minimalism starts to get tricky6:51 The hidden assumption of career minimalists7:50 Why career minimalists often end up job hopping10:16 The reframe: building portable equity11:24 Three practical tips for career minimalists11:45 Tip 1: Optimize for portability, not just balance12:34 Tip 2: Know the difference between being useful and being valuable13:59 Tip 3: Treat every role as temporary16:35 Always be seeking — the career version of "always be closing"17:36 Wrap up💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Erica Jiminez went from facing a potential layoff at the CDC to landing her dream role as the first-ever User Experience Officer at WK Kellogg Foundation. In this episode, Sarah Doody chats with Erica about her experience in Sarah's UX job search coaching program, Career Strategy Lab.Erica shares how she got clear on what she wanted, made sense of a non-linear career path, and landed a mission-driven UX role.Erica talks about how the Career Roadmap and Compass Statement in Career Strategy Lab helped her shift from a fear mindset to clarity, why her "messy" career path across social work, public health, and UX research actually became her biggest strength, and how she got hired using a whiteboard and Mural board instead of a polished portfolio. She also shares why she negotiated her salary and got what she asked for, and what hiring managers actually look for when multiple candidates are equally qualified.Erica's 3 lessons from her UX job search:1) Follow what you're passionate about2) Go for it even if you're not ready3) Know your worth and advocate for yourself — the worst they can say is noTimestamps0:00 Introduction 1:00 Meet Erica, the first UX Officer at WK Kellogg Foundation 3:00 The career roadmap: realizing how unintentional her career had been 4:30 From social worker to UX researcher — a 12-year non-linear path 5:00 Seeing the story in a "messy" resume 7:00 The Product of You: Design yourself before marketing yourself 8:00 Getting clarity vs. jumping straight to tactics10:00 The Gumby mindset & reframing your experiences12:00 Lesson 1: Follow what you're passionate about13:00 Lesson 2: Go for it even if you're not ready 15:00Lesson 3: Know your worth & salary negotiation17:00 The heroes exercise & discovering what matters beyond UX19:30 Applying UX skills beyond big tech20:00 Advice for anyone on the fence about Career Strategy Lab22:00 Why the human element matters most in hiring💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

In this episode, Sarah Doody talks with Jared Tredly, a design recruiter at Shopify, about what really happens behind the scenes when UX and Product Design candidates apply for roles.Jared shares an honest look at how generalist recruiters interpret design briefs, what they scan for in the first few seconds of reviewing a portfolio, and why so many designers accidentally bury the most important information. He also breaks down what senior-level designers must show, why overly long case studies backfire, and how to get visibility for design roles at Shopify through their general “design pool” application.If you’ve ever wondered what recruiters are actually thinking as they review your portfolio, this episode takes you inside the process.What you’ll learn:How recruiters evaluate portfolios when reviewing hundreds per dayWhy clarity, hierarchy, and intuitive navigation matter more than visualsThe difference between junior and senior-level UX signalsWhy “micro” case studies are often more effective than showing your entire processHow Shopify screens applications and why complete applications are criticalHow to get into Shopify’s internal design candidate poolLinks from this episode:Learn about working at ShopifyConnect with Jared on LinkedIn💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

In this episode, Sarah Doody chats with Faith, a Product Designer who successfully transitioned from a layoff to a Product Design role, all while navigating UX career uncertainty. Faith shares how she used Career Strategy Lab’s intentional UX job search framework to slow down, get clear on what she wanted, and create a UX portfolio and application strategy that aligned with her career goals.In this episode, Faith shares how Career Strategy Lab helped her prioritize the “why” behind her career choices, overcome imposter syndrome, and set clear boundaries to avoid ending up in the wrong role. From networking on LinkedIn to being picky about where she applied, Faith’s story will inspire anyone going through a career transition or navigating a tough job search.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why being intentional about your job search makes all the difference✔️ How to avoid the trap of applying to jobs just for the sake of it✔️ How Faith used Career Strategy Lab to design her job search strategy✔️ The importance of knowing your “Compass Statement” to guide decisions✔️ Why Faith turned down a “perfectly good” offer in favor of the right fit✔️ How CSL’s support and community made her more confident in interviews✔️ Tips for networking and finding job opportunities that align with your values✔️ Why staying true to your career goals led to better offers and more optionsTimestamps:00:00 Introduction to Sarah Doody and Career Strategy Lab00:38 Episode Overview and Open House Context01:46 Faith's Career Journey and UX Experience03:09 Navigating Job Search Challenges05:05 The Importance of Intentionality in Job Applications07:43 The Role of Career Strategy Lab in Job Search09:21 Finding Job Opportunities and Networking14:38 Impact of Career Strategy Lab on Personal and Professional Growth17:11 Advice for Prospective Career Strategy Lab Members25:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

In this episode, Sarah talks about how AI is reshaping the UX landscape and why three key skills are more important than ever for professionals looking to stand out in the evolving job market.Despite the rise of AI tools, it’s not about being replaced—it’s about evolving your mindset and skills to stay relevant. In this episode, Sarah explains why UX professionals need to stop thinking like "doers" and start thinking like "drivers." You’ll also hear why the critical skills of speed, quality thinking, and impact are necessary to stay valuable in your career.This episode is for anyone feeling uncertain about how AI fits into your skillset or wondering how to stay relevant in an AI-powered UX job market.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why shifting from being a “doer” to a “driver” is essential for staying valuable in UX✔️ The 3 most important skills for UX professionals in the age of AI: speed, quality thinking, and impact✔️ How to leverage speed without sacrificing quality in your UX work✔️ Why quality thinking (and not relying on AI) is crucial to uncovering nuances and insights✔️ How to make sure your work has true impact—going beyond just delivering information✔️ The danger of de-skilling and how to stay sharp while using AI as a toolTimestamps:00:00 Introduction: The Future of UX Jobs in the Age of AI00:39 Meet Sarah Doody: Your UX Career Guide01:19 The Value of Strategic Thinking Over Task Execution02:05 Three Critical Skills for UX Professionals05:39 Skill 1: Speed with Strategy09:42 Skill 2: Quality Thinking14:52 Skill 3: Impact and Influence19:44 The Risk of De-Skilling in the Age of AI24:50 Conclusion: Be a Driver, Not a Doer25:54 Call to Action: Support the Podcast💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

In this episode, Sarah interviews Vasudha, a UX Designer at Amazon AWS Applied AI, to talk about what it really looks like to invest in your career early, and how the impact compounds for years.Vasudha joined Career Strategy Lab's UX job search accelerator in late 2023 while finishing her master’s degree, navigating the uncertainty of the job market as an international student, and waiting to see whether her AWS internship would convert to a full-time role. Today, she’s thriving at Amazon, and still actively uses CSL frameworks for LinkedIn updates, internal promotions, and long-term career growth.This episode is a powerful reminder that Career Strategy Lab isn’t just about landing one job. It’s about building a career operating system you can reuse, refine, and rely on over time.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why Vasudha decided to invest in CSL while still in grad school✔️ How talking to an alumni helped her decide to join✔️ Why CSL skills extend far beyond the job search✔️ How the portfolio sprint changed how she approaches real projects at Amazon✔️ Why answering “why” matters just as much as showing artifacts✔️ How CSL frameworks support promotions—not just hiring✔️ The confidence shift that comes from understanding your blind spots✔️ Why embracing being a UX generalist unlocked clarity and growth✔️ How CSL helps you tell the right story about yourself (not the wrong one)Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Sarah Doody and Career Strategy Lab00:38 Episode Overview and Open House Context01:21 Vasudha's Journey: From Master's to Amazon05:38 The Impact of Career Strategy Lab10:56 Portfolio Development and Career Growth16:37 The Importance of Storytelling in UX Careers21:54 Advice for Joining Career Strategy Lab23:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

In this episode, Sarah chats with Ben Peck, Director of Product Design & Global Strategy at nCino and a longtime community builder in the UX and product world, to demystify how UX hiring really works, from the perspective of someone who’s hired again and again.Ben brings over 20 years of experience across agencies, tech, leadership, and community building. As the co-founder of Front Conference and former Executive Director of Product Hive, he’s reviewed hundreds of portfolios, partnered closely with recruiters, and built high-performing design teams across industries.Together, Sarah and Ben unpack what actually happens after you click “apply,” how hiring managers scan portfolios, why storytelling matters more than polish, and how community and relationships quietly shape most UX careers.If you’ve ever wondered what’s going on behind the scenes of UX hiring, or how to stand out without burning yourself out, this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ What hiring managers actually look for in UX portfolios✔️ Why your portfolio needs a hook—and what that hook should be✔️ How recruiters and hiring managers split screening responsibilities✔️ The biggest mistakes candidates make when telling case study stories✔️ Why generalists are thriving in today’s UX job market✔️ How to make industry or role pivots without starting over✔️ The smartest way to reach out to companies (and who not to DM)✔️ Why community—not cold applications—is the real career accelerant✔️ How hiring managers evaluate experience beyond “years on paper”Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast00:38 Guest Introduction: Ben Peck03:25 Ben Peck's Career Journey05:31 The Value of Being a Generalist10:22 Hiring Insights and Job Market Trends20:59 Portfolio Tips for Job Seekers28:57 The Importance of Storytelling in Portfolios30:42 Balancing Content and Design32:21 Effective Use of Prototypes and Videos40:00 Transitioning to a UX Career43:22 The Role of Community in Career Growth48:37 Advice for Job Seekers49:33 Lightning Round: Fun and Personal Insights53:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

In this episode, Sarah chats with Kellyn, a market researcher who successfully pivoted into a Lead UX Researcher role at Weedmaps, with a 40% salary increase, after feeling stuck, overlooked, and unsure how to position herself for UX roles.Despite 13+ years of research experience (and a partner who is a career coach) Kellyn wasn’t getting traction when applying to UX research jobs. She knew she had the skills, but lacked the clarity, confidence, and story to prove it. Through Career Strategy Lab, she rebuilt her confidence, clarified her direction, transformed her LinkedIn, and created a portfolio that focused on thinking and storytelling, not flashy visuals.This episode is a powerful reminder that career pivots don’t require starting over—they require structure, strategy, and the confidence to own your experience.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ How Kellyn reframed market research experience for UX research roles✔️ Why the Compass Statement was the turning point in her job search✔️ How narrowing focus saved her time, energy, and burnout✔️ Why LinkedIn optimization led to real recruiter interest✔️ How storytelling, not a portfolio website, landed her UX job interviews ✔️ The role of community, coaching, and feedback in rebuilding confidence✔️ Why CSL is an investment with long-term, compounding career impact✔️ How clarity led to better interviews, better offers, and better payTimestamps:00:00 Introduction to Sarah Doody and Career Strategy Lab00:38 Episode Overview and Open House Context02:10 Kellyn's Career Journey and Success Story05:00 The Impact of Career Strategy Lab on Confidence and Job Search13:55 The Importance of LinkedIn Optimization16:11 Crafting Compelling Case Studies and Portfolios23:44 Final Thoughts and Advice for Career Strategy Lab Participants27:08 Conclusion and Additional Resources27:49 Special Message for Job Seekers💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

In this expert interview, Sarah Doody is joined by Patrick Neeman, Director of UX & AI Experiences at Workday, to pull back the curtain on how UX hiring actually works today—and where candidates are getting tripped up.Patrick brings a rare perspective: he’s led UX teams, taught UX at General Assembly, worked inside applicant tracking systems, and now hires designers in an AI-driven product environment. Together, Sarah and Patrick unpack the biggest misconceptions about ATS systems, why portfolios often fail the six-second test, how soft skills influence hiring decisions, and what senior designers really need to focus on to stand out in today’s market.This episode is especially valuable if you’re making it to interviews but not offers, feeling unsure how AI fits into your skillset, or questioning whether your resume and portfolio are helping—or hurting—you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why companies are often bad at hiring—and how that impacts candidates✔️ The truth about ATS filters, knockout questions, and resume formatting✔️ Why two-column resumes fail ATS systems (and what to do instead)✔️ What hiring managers notice in the first 6 seconds of reviewing a resume✔️ How soft skills like alignment, collaboration, and communication influence hiring✔️ Why decks often outperform portfolio websites in UX interviews✔️ How AI tools like Lovable are changing expectations for prototyping✔️ The role of “weak ties” in landing jobs—and why relationships matter more than applications✔️ Red flags candidates should avoid during interviews and outreach✔️ Why being “nice to work with” is a real career advantageLinks From This Episode:Patrick's Book: uxGPT: Mastering AI Assistants for User Experience Designers and Product Management ProfessionalsPatrick's Article: What’s makes an effective UX professionalPatrick's Article: What’s your Ideal Designer Profile?The Strength of Weak Ties: A Network Theory RevisitedThe ADP Checklist: Resources about Resumes, Portfolios and Interviews for UX ProfessionalsTimestamps:00:00 Introduction to Sarah Doody and Career Strategy Lab00:38 Welcoming Patrick Neiman: Insights into UX Hiring01:19 Patrick's Background and Experience04:19 The State of the UX Job Market07:21 The Importance of Writing Skills in UX08:49 Applicant Tracking Systems and AI in Hiring13:28 Contract Roles in UX: Myths and Realities14:42 Standing Out as a UX Candidate17:48 Soft Skills: The Superpower of UX Professionals22:05 Tips for Early Career UX Designers24:15 Prototyping vs. Figma: The Future of Design24:28 The Value of Personal Projects in Portfolios24:57 Challenges in Redesigning Complex Systems26:10 Misconceptions About Hiring Software27:23 The Six-Second Resume Test29:16 Networking and the Power of Weak Ties33:10 Tips for Advancing in Your UX Career41:46 Balancing Figma and AI-Assisted Design Tools43:21 Final Thoughts and Advice for Job Seekers💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

In this episode, Sarah talks with Allie, a Senior UX Designer with over a decade of experience, about what it really looks like to lose your confidence mid-career, and how to rebuild it without rushing, panicking, or burning yourself out.After navigating years of instability, repeated layoffs around her, and slowly losing her sense of confidence at work, Allie joined Career Strategy Lab feeling disconnected from her own value. Through foundational work like career inventory, 360° feedback, and the Compass Statement, she rebuilt clarity around her strengths, rediscovered her story, and landed a new role at PepsiCo with confidence restored.This episode is a powerful reminder that confidence isn’t something you “should already have.” It’s something you rebuild through clarity, structure, and self-trust.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ What it actually feels like to “lose your mojo” after years in UX✔️ Why giving yourself grace is a strategic career move—not a weakness✔️ How taking inventory of your work restores confidence fast✔️ The role of external feedback in uncovering hidden strengths✔️ Why trying to rush ahead in your job search often backfires✔️ How watching others’ critiques can improve your own portfolio and storytelling✔️ Why treating your job search like a real project changes everythingTimestamps:00:00 Introduction to Sarah Doody and Career Strategy Lab00:38 Episode Overview and Open House Context02:29 Meet Allie: A UX Journey03:59 Confidence and Career Strategy Lab08:19 Mindset Shifts and Lessons Learned11:18 Impactful Feedback and Storytelling13:40 Final Thoughts and Advice16:58 Conclusion and Podcast Outro17:38 Special Message for Job Seekers💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Still applying to dozens, or hundreds, of UX roles and not hearing back? It’s not the number of applications that gets you hired. It’s the strategy behind how you position yourself.In this rapid-fire episode, Sarah breaks down the five things she consistently sees among UX candidates who are getting hired right now. Whether you’ve applied to 50, 100, or 200+ jobs without results, these are the shifts that will change your job search immediately.This episode is your wake-up call: Stop applying to more roles and start fixing these five root issues.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why applying to more jobs won’t fix your job search✔️ How to optimize your LinkedIn so recruiters find you✔️ Why most candidates dramatically undervalue their skills✔️ The danger of getting feedback from people who aren't involved in hiring✔️ The truth about UX portfolios—and why yours should not be a website✔️ Why clarity about what you want is the real job search shortcutTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and Purpose00:38 Common Job Search Mistakes02:07 Leveraging LinkedIn for Job Search04:18 Valuing Your Skills and Experience07:22 Overcoming the Unhirable Mindset10:46 Creating Effective Portfolios14:18 Clarity in Career Goals17:57 Recap and Final Thoughts19:28 Career Strategy Lab and Workshops20:56 Podcast Reviews and Closing💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

In this interview, Sarah sits down with Steven, a longtime UX leader who spent 17 years at the same digital agency before an unexpected layoff forced him to re-evaluate everything. With no portfolio, no updated resume, and low confidence, Steven joined Career Strategy Lab, and everything changed.Today, Steven is thriving as a fractional product design director, long-term contractor, and consultant helping companies elevate their UX teams and integrate AI into their workflows. In this conversation, he shares how Career Stratgegy Lab's UX job search accelerator helped him rebuild his confidence, tell a clear story about 20+ years of experience, streamline his job search, and even reinvent himself as a business owner.Whether you're mid-career, coming out of a layoff, or curious about consulting, Steven’s story is a grounding reminder that clarity, strategy, and community can completely change your UX career trajectory.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ How Steven went from 25% confidence to 80% confidence in his job search✔️ The myth he had to unlearn: your portfolio is not the first step✔️ Why clarity + foundational work = faster, less stressful job search✔️ How CSL’s community accelerated his progress and kept him motivated✔️ The mindset shift that helped him stop applying blindly to jobs✔️ How he now uses CSL’s frameworks to land consulting and contract roles✔️ Why your “career operating system” needs ongoing updates✔️ How knowing your values helps you choose the right opportunitiesTimestamps:00:00 Introduction to Sarah Doody and Career Strategy Lab00:38 Episode Overview and Open House Context01:26 Sarah Doody's Background and UX Career Coaching02:31 Steven's Journey and Career Strategy Lab Experience04:13 Building Confidence and Telling Your Story06:25 The Power of Community and Networking09:55 Mindset Shifts and Career Value Criteria13:03 Freelance and Consulting Success Tips16:01 Final Thoughts and Advice18:53 Conclusion and Next Steps💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

In this special coach takeover episode Erin, one of the coaches inside Career Strategy Lab's UX job search accelerator, breaks down the three most important things UX and product professionals should focus on in Q4 to set themselves up to get hired in Q1 of 2026.Whether you're feeling stuck, doubting your materials, overwhelmed by your portfolio, or unsure what support you actually need, this episode gives you a strategic and human approach to moving your job search forward.Erin shares what she and the CSL team are seeing every week while reviewing resumes, portfolios, and LinkedIn profiles—and the biggest patterns that determine whether someone gains traction or stays stuck in place.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why you must rethink who you’re getting job search feedback from✔️ How inaccurate feedback erodes confidence—and what to do instead✔️ The “back to basics” portfolio reset that outperforms flashy trends✔️ Why hiring managers want clarity over cleverness (and no, you don’t need animations)✔️ How to build trust through your case study storytelling✔️ How to determine what level of support you actually need—structure, community, coaching, or therapy✔️ Why Q4 is the perfect time to prepare for Q1 hiring surgesTimestamps:00:00 Introduction to Career Strategy Lab00:38 Three Key Strategies for Getting Hired in Q1 202601:11 Assessing Feedback on Your Career Materials05:50 Back to Basics: Improving Your Portfolio09:19 Getting the Support You Need16:04 Recap and Final Thoughts18:49 Conclusion and Additional Resources19:32 Special Message for Job Seekers💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Applied to 50+ UX or Product jobs & still no interviews or offers? Get UX job search help.Welcome to the Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody, a UX Designer & UX Researcher with 20 years of experience who founded the UX job search accelerator, Career Strategy Lab. She's been doing UX career coaching since 2017.Follow Sarah on: LinkedIn | YouTube | InstagramTransitioning from academia to UX can be daunting, but Ellen’s story proves it’s possible. After 17 years as a professor, Ellen pivoted to a Senior Content Designer role at TD Bank, with Career Strategy Lab providing the strategy, clarity, and confidence she needed to make the leap.In this episode, Ellen shares how CSL helped her reframe her experience, confidently communicate her transferable skills, and land her UX role—all while navigating the challenges of switching careers.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ How Ellen navigated the shift from academia to UX✔️ Why confidence was her biggest challenge and how CSL helped her overcome it✔️ The importance of understanding how to communicate transferable skills✔️ How she used the Compass Statement to connect her past experience to her new career✔️ The value of having a portfolio and LinkedIn that clearly reflect your skills✔️ Ellen’s tips on standing out during the job search with an authentic, tailored approachTimestamps:00:00 Introduction to Sarah Doody and Career Strategy Lab00:38 Episode Overview and Open House Context01:25 Sarah Doody's UX Career Coaching Journey02:29 Alan's Career Transition Story03:39 Building Confidence and Skills with CSL08:33 Mindset Shifts and Life Lessons10:47 Practical Tips for Job Seekers12:40 Final Thoughts and Encouragement14:04 Podcast Outro and Additional Resources14:44 Special Message for Job Seekers ⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.🔔 Follow & Subscribe for weekly strategies and stories to help you grow in your UX career—without the burnout.💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Welcome to the final part of our three-episode series designed to help you diagnose what's not working in your UX job search, so you can finally fix it. In this episode, Sarah breaks down the third and final symptom of a stalled search: Stranger Syndrome.If you’ve ever felt like you’re being ghosted, not getting referrals, or struggling to build meaningful connections with hiring managers or colleagues, this one’s for you.Sarah explains how to identify the five signs of Stranger Syndrome and why treating your career like a product can help you design, market, and sell yourself with more confidence and clarity.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ What “Stranger Syndrome” is, and why it’s stalling your UX job search✔️ 5 specific symptoms to watch for in your networking and interview process✔️ Why relationship-building is more important than cold outreach✔️ How to “microwave” cold relationships and reconnect with old contacts✔️ The power of the Product of You framework (Design. Market. Sell.)✔️ Why skipping clarity work keeps you stuck in a cycle of job search rejectionRelated Episodes:142: How Laura Landed a Principal UX Design Role Without Applying (and With Only 1 Project in her UX Portfolio)145: [Part 1/3: Diagnose Your UX Job Search] Escaping UX Career Identity Fog & Why Your Identity Is Your Superpower147: [Part 2/3: Diagnose Your UX Job Search] Are you an invisible genius in your UX career?Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Purpose00:38 Diagnosing UX Job Search Problems01:56 The Product of You Philosophy07:36 Understanding Stranger Syndrome08:49 Symptoms of Stranger Syndrome16:08 Overcoming Stranger Syndrome18:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts24:10 Career Strategy Lab Invitation💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

In this episode, Sarah sits down with Phoenix, a Career Strategy Lab (CSL) member who shares what it's like to be in the middle of their UX job search transformation.Phoenix opens up about the identity crisis that came from trying to be what companies wanted and how shifting toward a product-thinking approach—treating their career like a system—led to clarity, confidence, and traction. This is a must-listen for any UX or product professional feeling stuck, unfocused, or uncertain about how to move forward in today’s job market.You’ll hear Phoenix share the exact moment things started to click, the biggest mindset shifts since joining CSL, and how things like a simple resume rewrite not only clarified their value—but also unlocked a potential $20K salary bump.Whether you’re pivoting into UX, climbing toward leadership, or simply tired of second-guessing yourself, Phoenix’s story will help you see what’s possible when you stop trying to be someone you’re not and start owning what you bring to the table.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ How Phoenix went from feeling irrelevant to in control of their UX career✔️ Why “conforming” to what employers want actually backfires—and what to do instead✔️ The power of the compass statement and how it transforms resumes, portfolios, and interviews✔️ How systems thinking applies to both UX and job search strategy✔️ The emotional journey of building a personal brand that reflects your true strengths✔️ Why clarity is more powerful than pep talks when it comes to confidenceTimestamps:00:00 Introduction to Career Strategy Lab00:38 Episode Overview and Open House Context01:22 Q&A with Phoenix: UX Job Search Insights03:59 Phoenix's Journey: From Uncertainty to Clarity07:33 The Power of a Strong Resume and Compass Statement20:04 Emotional Impact and Personal Growth24:19 Advice for Job Seekers and Final Thoughts💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Think you’re great at what you do but still not landing interviews? You might be stuck in Invisible Genius Mode—and it’s costing you opportunities.In this episode, Sarah introduces the second major UX job search roadblock in her diagnostic series: Invisible Genius Mode. It’s the frustrating space where you know you're qualified—and so do your colleagues—but your resume, portfolio, and LinkedIn aren’t making it clear to hiring teams.Sarah walks through 4 key symptoms of Invisible Genius Mode, explains why it’s a marketing problem (not a skills problem), and gives you a simple framework to reposition yourself as an in-demand candidate.This is Part 2 of a 3-part series on diagnosing your UX job search struggles.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ The 4 signs you’re stuck in Invisible Genius Mode✔️ Why strong skills don’t matter if your materials don’t communicate them✔️ How to use Sarah’s “Product of You” philosophy to stand out✔️ Why your resume, portfolio, and LinkedIn must all tell the same story✔️ What to change if you keep hearing “you’re a perfect fit” but still don’t get hiredRelated Episodes:145: [Part 1/3: Diagnose Your UX Job Search] Escaping UX Career Identity Fog & Why Your Identity Is Your SuperpowerTimestamps:00:00 Introduction to UX Job Search Series00:48 The Product of You Philosophy06:01 Understanding Invisible Genius08:10 Symptoms of Invisible Genius10:37 Overcoming Invisible Genius14:59 Conclusion and Next Steps17:06 Final Thoughts and Resources17:47 Special Message for Struggling Job Seekers💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

After a UX layoff left him uncertain about his next step, Jonathan, a UX leader with 20+ years of experience, turned to Career Strategy Lab to rebuild his confidence, reposition his experience, and take control of his job search. In this open house conversation, Jonathan shares what made the biggest difference: creating a tailored UX portfolio, clarifying his story, and rethinking how he showed up on LinkedIn.Jonathan went from unsure and out of practice to landing multiple interviews, gaining recruiter attention, and receiving an offer—all while feeling more empowered about his future than ever before.If you’re feeling stuck, scattered, or unsure about how to sell yourself in the UX job market, Jonathan’s story will show you what’s possible when you stop guessing and get strategic.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ How Jonathan reframed his UX career story after 20 years in the industry✔️ Why he downsized his portfolio and tailored it to each job✔️ The mindset shift that helped him stop underselling himself✔️ Why confidence is built through action, not perfection✔️ What helped him go from job seeker to in-demand candidate✔️ Advice for anyone considering joining Career Strategy Lab's UX job search acceleratorTimestamps:00:00 Introduction to Sarah Doody and Career Strategy Lab00:38 Episode Overview and Open House Context02:10 Jonathan's Career Journey and UX Strategy05:48 Tailoring Your Portfolio for Success09:22 The Importance of Confidence and Community Feedback16:45 Final Advice and Encouragement20:10 Conclusion and Podcast Information20:49 Special Message for Job Seekers💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Are you a UX professional struggling to explain who you are or what you want next? You’re not alone. Here’s how to clear the fog and move forward with clarity.If you’ve been feeling stuck in your UX career, unsure of your strengths, hesitant to apply for jobs, or wondering if you still belong in the industry, then this episode is for you.Sarah introduces the concept of Career Identity Fog, a feeling of misalignment that can erode your confidence and sabotage your job search.But there’s good news: You can use UX research and strategy tools on yourself to lift the fog and reposition your career with clarity and conviction.This is Part 1 of a special 3 part series on diagnosing your UX job search challenges, so make sure you subscribe so you don't miss the other episodes in this series.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ What Career Identity Fog is—and why so many UX professionals are feeling it✔️ 5 signs you’re stuck in identity fog (and how it’s slowing down your job search)✔️ A 3-part framework to rediscover who you are and what you want in your UX career✔️ Why confidence doesn’t come from trends—it comes from clarity✔️ How one woman got hired by clearly articulating her ideal role on LinkedInTimestamps:00:00 Introduction: Overcoming Career Identity Fog00:31 Understanding Career Identity Fog01:21 Diagnosing Your UX Job Search03:40 Symptoms of Identity Fog in Your Career11:33 Job Search Diagnosis Checklist17:21 Clearing the Identity Fog: Steps to Take23:55 Real-Life Success Stories28:02 Conclusion and Next Steps29:46 Career Strategy Lab: Your Path to Success31:25 Final Thoughts and Encouragement💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

After being laid off and earning a Master’s degree in UX, Melp still wasn’t landing UX job interviews. What changed? She stopped applying to everything and started thinking strategically.In this Q&A from a Career Strategy Lab Open House, Sarah Doody talks with Melp, a UX researcher turned product manager, about the ups and downs of her UX job search journey. Despite years of experience, a Masters degree in UX from the University of Michigan, and hundreds of UX job applications, Melp wasn’t getting traction, until she joined Career Strategy Lab.You’ll hear how she slowed down to get clear, challenged the narrative that she was “difficult to work with,” and started positioning herself as a strategic asset (not a liability). Her confidence began to rebuild, not because of a new certification, but because she finally saw her work for what it was: valuable.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why Melp chose strategy over hustle in her UX job search✔️ How the Career Compass Sprint helped her identify what she really wanted✔️ The mindset shift from “I’m difficult” to “I’m a high-impact team member”✔️ Why she stopped over-preparing and started owning her story✔️ How CSL’s “minimum viable portfolio” mindset freed her up to move forward faster✔️ The difference between traditional career support and CSL’s strategic, in-depth processTimestamps:00:00 Introduction to Career Strategy Lab02:14 Melp's Career Journey and Challenges03:39 The Importance of Finding the Right Job05:25 Deep Dive into Career Compass Sprint07:02 Confidence and Self-Discovery09:02 The Diva Mindset and Environment Fit17:02 CSL's Unique Approach and In-Depth Process22:18 Final Thoughts and Advice for Job Seekers24:13 Conclusion and Podcast Outro24:53 Special Message for Job Seekers💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

If you’re in a UX job search and wondering, “Is it just me, or is UX hiring slower than ever?” you’re not imagining it. In this episode, we chat with Heather Cassar, VP of People at Narmie (a fintech startup) who brings 15+ years of experience leading hiring, people strategy, and global team growth at companies like Cash App, Uber, Block, and more. Heather brings first hand experience about what's actually happening in UX and Product hiring, on both the startup and enterprise side.In our conversation, we dig into why companies may take longer to hire, what’s changing in how hiring decisions are made, and what UX candidates can do to stand out, even when it feels like you’re sending resumes into a void.Whether you’re actively applying or quietly watching the market, this episode will give you perspective and relief. Heather breaks down what’s happening behind the scenes of hiring pipelines right now and reminds us: just because it’s taking longer doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. There are still ways to stand out, you just need a UX job search strategy that reflects the reality of today’s job market.Check out Narmi's careers page here to see if they're hiring for UX roles!Topics discussed:Why it now takes 12+ weeks (or more) to hire for UX rolesWhat’s causing hesitation on both sides of the hiring tableHow candidate caution is slowing down the top of the funnelWhy Heather says contract roles are NOT a red flag, and can lead to full-timeWhat hiring managers actually look for in resumes and portfoliosTips for standing out even when the job market feels saturatedThe value of clarity, connection, and showing real outcomesHow to tell your story without overselling or downplaying your experienceTimestamps:00:00 – Intro & about Heather’s background00:45 – Why UX hiring feels “wild” right now04:00 – What’s slowing down the hiring process from the company side06:30 – The return of more rigorous headcount approval07:15 – Why candidates are hesitant to even take recruiter calls08:30 – The emotional risk of leaving one “meh” job for another09:15 – Are contract roles bad? Heather’s surprising take10:30 – Why contract roles aren’t a red flag to hiring managers11:30 – What companies actually want to see on a resume12:30 – The importance of storytelling over perfection13:45 – How Heather screens for “intentionality” in candidates15:00 – The challenge of employer branding at smaller companies16:10 – Why “unicorn” job descriptions confuse candidates17:20 – Heather’s thoughts on AI-generated portfolios and resumes18:30 – Referrals vs. cold applications: which one matters more?19:45 – Heather’s take on design exercises and case studies22:30 – Why clarity + connection beats overly polished language25:15 – Common mistakes candidates make in storytelling28:45 – How to stay confident during a slow job search34:10 – Heather’s advice to mid-career UX pros feeling stuck40:25 – Closing thoughts & where to connect with Heather💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Think you need a perfect UX portfolio and hundreds of job applications to land a senior UX role? Think again.In this episode, UX career coach Sarah Doody talks with Laura, a former physician turned UX designer, about how she landed a Principal Product Design role, without even applying.Laura shares how she turned a contract job into a 2.5-year role at Cisco, why she joined Sarah Doody's UX career coaching program, Career Strategy Lab, twice. Laura also shares how staying ready (not scrambling) made all the difference when her UX contract ended. Spoiler: she was hired again within two weeks, and her new VP of Product found her on LinkedIn.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ How Laura pivoted from medicine to UX and built her confidence along the way✔️ Why having just one solid case study was enough to land multiple interviews✔️ The key mindset shift that helped her stand out—even in a competitive market✔️ How staying visible on LinkedIn led to a job offer without applying✔️ Why portfolio perfectionism keeps talented UXers stuck✔️ The benefit of specializing in a niche like cybersecurity or networking✔️ How CSL’s frameworks helped her lead, mentor, and present more confidentlyTimestamps:02:06 Laura's Career Journey and Success with Career Strategy Lab05:23 Importance of Testing and Networking09:06 Specialization and Job Search Strategy12:53 Applying Career Strategy Lab Skills in the Workplace17:39 Final Thoughts and Advice for Job Seekers19:29 Conclusion and Podcast Information20:09 Special Message for Job Seekers💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

If you've ever wondered why your UX or product design portfolio isn't getting attention, this episode is your answer.In this mini workshop, Sarah walks you through the most critical and overlooked fix you can make to your portfolio right now. It’s simple, strategic, and backed by nearly a decade of hiring results.Spoiler: This isn’t about adding more screens or showing more visuals. It’s about how you tell the story of your work—and it all starts with how you use headlines.Whether you’re mid-job search or quietly preparing for your next move, this portfolio tip will make your work easier to read, more memorable, and more effective for all 3 types of portfolio users: recruiters, hiring managers, and future colleagues.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ The 3 users of your portfolio—and what they actually need✔️ Why most portfolios fail the “headline” test (and how to fix yours today)✔️ How to use the inverted pyramid framework from journalism to structure your slides✔️ Why a single, sentence-style headline can change how long someone spends with your work✔️ The easiest way to assess and upgrade your portfolio in under 30 minutesTimestamps:00:00 Introduction to Sarah Doty and Career Strategy Lab00:43 Starting the UX Portfolio Mini Workshop03:23 Understanding the Users of Your Portfolio06:57 The Inverted Pyramid Framework10:59 Practical Portfolio Tips and Examples17:33 The Importance of Headlines in Your Portfolio30:03 Q&A and Additional Advice33:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Applied to 50+ UX or Product jobs & still no interviews or offers? Get UX job search help.Welcome to the Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody, a UX Designer & UX Researcher with 20 years of experience who founded the UX job search accelerator, Career Strategy Lab. She's been doing UX career coaching since 2017.Follow Sarah on: LinkedIn | YouTube | InstagramAfter 18 months of job searching with no results, Mariah was out of steam and questioning everything—until she joined Career Strategy Lab.In this Open House conversation, Sarah talks with Mariah, a UX researcher and experience strategist with a background in customer support and consulting. Mariah came to CSL after burning out from a year and a half of job searching while trying to relocate to Copenhagen. In this honest episode, she shares what finally helped her stop spinning, reconnect with herself, and gain the clarity, confidence, and support she’d been missing.Whether you’re new to UX or deep in burnout, Mariah’s story will remind you that it’s not too late—and you don’t have to figure it out alone.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ What job searching for 18+ months taught Mariah about burnout and boundaries✔️ Why trying to “game the system” kept her stuck and exhausted✔️ How the Compass Sprint reconnected her to her voice, identity, and strengths✔️ Why the mindset calls inside CSL helped her finally feel like herself again✔️ How to balance personal and professional identity in your job search✔️ Her advice for perfectionists and overthinkers: take action, even when it’s messyTimestamps:02:27 Mariah's Background and Career Journey04:21 Joining Career Strategy Lab: Initial Experiences08:09 Impact of Mindset Calls11:50 Tangible Actions and Career Roadmap18:43 Final Advice and Closing Remarks21:22 Podcast Outro and Additional Resources22:03 Special Message for Job Seekers⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.🔔 Follow & Subscribe for weekly strategies and stories to help you grow in your UX career—without the burnout.💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Apple's iconic marketing helps it stand out because it emphasizes it's benefits, not just features. Instead of just listing every feature of it's products, Apple leans into the benefits. And this tactic, is also how you can stand out as a candidate in your job search.In this episode, we'll use resume examples to show how you can highlight your benefits, and not just your responsibilities and features. .What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why listing responsibilities makes your resume blend in (not stand out)✔️ How to turn “feature” statements into compelling benefit-driven bullets✔️ The marketing lesson Sarah borrowed from Steve Jobs✔️ Real before-and-after examples from UX candidates✔️ Why identifying and believing your own value is step #1✔️ How to infuse your unique benefits across every career “touchpoint”Timestamps:00:40 The Importance of Focusing Beyond Responsibilities02:35 Understanding the Product of You04:32 Communicating Benefits Over Features05:43 Real-World Examples of Benefit-Focused Statements09:10 Becoming a Benefit-Focused Candidate18:52 Recap and Final Thoughts21:16 Conclusion and Additional Resources22:04 Special Message for Job Seekers💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Applied to 50+ UX or Product jobs & still no interviews or offers? Get UX job search help.Welcome to the Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody, a UX Designer & UX Researcher with 20 years of experience who founded the UX job search accelerator, Career Strategy Lab. She's been doing UX career coaching since 2017.Follow Sarah on: LinkedIn | YouTube | InstagramWondering how to stand out in UX without burning out? Former technical recruiter Ellie shares her story of switching into product design—and how Career Strategy Lab helped her get her confidence back.In this episode, Sarah interviews Ellie, a former technical recruiter turned UX designer, who joined Career Strategy Lab while navigating new motherhood, burnout, and the unpredictable job market. Despite landing interviews, Ellie felt stuck—and knew she needed a structured, supportive way to rebuild confidence and stand out.You’ll hear how she overcame perfectionism, reframed her job search, and built career habits that now extend beyond her portfolio and into her life.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why Ellie left tech recruiting to pursue UX—and doesn’t regret it✔️ What made her say “yes” to CSL (and why she wishes she joined sooner)✔️ How the Compass Statement gave her clarity and saved her time✔️ The unexpected life shifts that came from doing the work with intention✔️ Tips for breaking perfectionism and building habits that stick✔️ What it’s like to join CSL while navigating new parenthood and burnoutTimestamps:00:00 Introduction to Career Strategy Lab00:38 Episode Overview and Open House Context02:23 Meet Ellie: From Technical Recruiter to Product Designer05:19 Ellie's Career Journey and CSL Experience09:16 The Impact of Career Strategy Lab18:47 Advice and Final Thoughts21:32 Conclusion and Next Steps⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.🔔 Follow & Subscribe for weekly strategies and stories to help you grow in your UX career—without the burnout.💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Still waiting for recruiters to notice you? One small change to your LinkedIn profile could change everything.In this episode, Sarah shares a real story from a workshop attendee who updated just one line of their LinkedIn profile and got five solid recruiter leads within 24 hours. You’ll learn what part of your profile to focus on (hint: it’s the headline), how to write it in a way that stands out, and why clarity and positioning matter more than lofty statements like “designing for impact.”Plus, Sarah breaks down the three-part UX job search strategy you need to attract the right opportunities, without burning out, second-guessing, or rewriting your portfolio 100 times.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ The one LinkedIn section that has the biggest impact on recruiter outreach✔️ Why most UX job seekers get their headlines totally wrong✔️ How to apply product strategy thinking to your career✔️ The 3 essential UX job search strategies: Design, Marketing, and Sales✔️ What happens when you’re missing even one of those strategies✔️ How to stand out in a sea of qualified candidates (without starting from scratch)Additional Resources:Episode 18: Avoid This Mistake When Writing Your LinkedIn Profile headlineUX Job Search WorkshopTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and Purpose00:38 The Power of LinkedIn Optimization01:27 Understanding the UX Hiring Process02:45 Crafting a Standout LinkedIn Headline05:33 Three Key Strategies for UX Job Search07:27 Invitation to the Workshop08:10 Final Thoughts and Encouragement09:29 Conclusion and Additional Resources10:09 Special Message for Struggling Job Seekers💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Applied to 50+ UX or Product jobs & still no interviews or offers? Get UX job search help.Welcome to the Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody, a UX Designer & UX Researcher with 20 years of experience who founded the UX job search accelerator, Career Strategy Lab. She's been doing UX career coaching since 2017.Follow Sarah on: LinkedIn | YouTube | InstagramLaid off and wondering if you’ve “missed your shot”? This story will change how you think about career momentum.In this Open House conversation, Sarah sits down with Manny, a senior UX designer who transitioned into UX after a decade in graphic design and just landed a role at Fidelity. After getting laid off and spending weeks spinning his wheels, Manny joined Career Strategy Lab to bring clarity, structure, and confidence back to his job search.In this honest and insightful conversation, Manny shares what helped him rebuild momentum, how the Compass Sprint shaped everything from his resume to interviews, and why he wishes he’d joined sooner.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ How Manny landed a UX role at Fidelity after being laid off✔️ The single most valuable CSL exercise (that he didn’t expect)✔️ Why clarity leads to faster progress across your materials✔️ How the Compass Statement helped him shape his story and stand out✔️ Why applying early in your job search saves you time, money, and confidence✔️ How to make the most of CSL—whether you’re employed or notTimestamps:02:28 Meet Manny: A UX Designer's Journey03:51 Navigating Job Search Challenges06:16 The Impact of Career Strategy Lab12:27 Advice for UX Job Seekers14:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts15:07 Podcast Outro and Additional Resources15:47 Special Message for Job Seekers⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.🔔 Follow & Subscribe for weekly strategies and stories to help you grow in your UX career—without the burnout.💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Feeling overwhelmed by how much UX experience you have, or unsure how to translate it in today’s UX job market? This episode is for you.In this episode, Sarah talks with Chris Griffith, a UX professional with over 30 years of experience, about what it really takes to re-enter the job market after a long stretch at one company. Chris shares how he used Career Strategy Lab to reframe his story, create momentum, and build a complete suite of job search materials—from resume to portfolio—without burning out.From tending his “career garden” to turning hikes into problem-solving sessions, Chris offers powerful reminders that progress isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention, space, and support.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ How Chris navigated a layoff after 9 years at the same company✔️ What helped him stay focused and finish his portfolio without burnout✔️ Why the LinkedIn sprint was a game-changer for getting found✔️ The mental shift that helped him stop over-explaining and start storytelling✔️ How nature and structure kept his confidence high and mindset grounded✔️ His top tip for anyone thinking about joining Career Strategy LabTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome00:16 Meet Sarah Doty: Your Career Guide00:54 Episode Overview and Open House Context01:38 Chris's UX Journey: From CD-ROMs to Career Strategy Lab04:05 Navigating Job Search Challenges06:49 The Importance of Diligence and Balance07:21 The Healing Power of Nature08:39 Career Strategy Lab Sprints: A Deep Dive11:54 Final Tips and Encouragement13:03 Conclusion and Farewell13:19 Podcast Outro and Additional Resources13:59 Special Message for Job Seekers🎯Want to learn more about the critiques, community, coaching calls, and everything inside Career Strategy Lab? Apply or learn more.⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Worried your career break in UX has made you unemployable? Let’s talk about what’s actually holding you back.In this episode, Sarah tackles a concern she hears constantly: “Did my career break ruin my chances of getting hired in UX?” Whether you took time off for caregiving, burnout, travel, or health, this episode will help you stop spiraling and start focusing on what really matters, your story.You’ll learn the 3 strategies every UX job seeker needs (Design, Marketing, Sales), how to tell if you’re missing one, and why the story you're telling about your break matters more than the break itself.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why your break isn’t the problem—but your story might be✔️ What “terminal uniqueness” is and how it keeps you stuck✔️ The 3-part strategy you need to get hired (and how to know what’s missing)✔️ How to shift from self-doubt to clarity in your job search✔️ Why visibility and connection matter more than perfection✔️ How to rebuild your momentum with intention—not burnoutTimestamps:00:38 The Impact of Career Breaks on UX Careers00:56 The Importance of Your Personal Story in Job Searches01:22 Addressing Career Break Concerns03:37 LinkedIn's Career Break Feature05:28 Three Essential Strategies for UX Candidates09:53 Identifying Gaps in Your Job Search Strategies12:23 Building and Leveraging Professional Relationships16:51 Final Thoughts and Workshop Invitation18:35 Conclusion and Additional Resources⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Think your UX background is too different to get hired? That mindset might be the real problem. In this episode, Sarah discusses the concept of terminal uniqueness, the belief that your career path is so unusual or messy that none of the strategies that work for others could possibly work for you. Whether you’ve been freelancing, pivoting careers, or have decades of experience, this mindset could be holding you back far more than your resume.You’ll hear real-world examples of how terminal uniqueness shows up, why it's so common (especially in UX), and what to focus on instead so you can finally move forward with clarity and confidence.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ What terminal uniqueness is—and how it sabotages your job search✔️ Why your unconventional path is not the problem (your mindset might be)✔️ How to reframe your “messy” UX story into your biggest asset✔️ Why recruiters and hiring managers aren’t looking for a perfect path✔️ The role of strategy, structure, and storytelling in getting hired✔️ How Career Strategy Lab helps you own your story and communicate it clearlyTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and Background00:38 Understanding Terminal Uniqueness03:12 Examples of Terminal Uniqueness04:50 Overcoming Terminal Uniqueness06:54 Communicating Your Unique Story08:11 Career Strategy Lab Overview14:49 Final Thoughts and Encouragement16:58 Podcast Outro and Additional Resources17:37 Special Message for Job Seekers💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Applied to 50+ UX or Product jobs & still no interviews or offers? Get UX job search help.Welcome to the Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody, a UX Designer & UX Researcher with 20 years of experience who founded the UX job search accelerator, Career Strategy Lab. She's been doing UX career coaching since 2017.Follow Sarah on: LinkedIn | YouTube | InstagramTired of vague AI tools that spit out generic resume rewrites and surface-level portfolio tips? Meet the smarter alternative.In this episode, Sarah shares the behind-the-scenes strategy behind Sage—the AI agent exclusively available inside Career Strategy Lab—and why it’s already helping job seekers finish their resumes, portfolios, and LinkedIn profiles faster without sacrificing clarity or confidence.You’ll learn why this tool is more than just a shortcut—it’s a UX-informed, coach-trained experience designed to get you unstuck and back into momentum, 24/7.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ The two problems most UX job seekers face: info overload + execution overwhelm✔️ Why most AI job search tools fail (and how Sage is different)✔️ How Sage is trained on CSL’s proven curriculum and thousands of real conversations✔️ Why context-specific feedback beats ChatGPT every time✔️ How CSL members are using Sage to move faster and stop second-guessing✔️ The one mindset shift that will help you use AI effectively in your careerTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and Common Job Search Struggles00:46 Introducing Career Strategy Lab's AI Tools02:01 Why UX Professionals Struggle in Job Searches02:39 The Problems Our AI Tools Aim to Solve06:53 How Our AI Tools Work13:58 Demo of Sage, Our AI Agent27:51 Benefits of Using Sage29:36 Conclusion and Call to Action🎯Want to learn more about the critiques, community, coaching calls, and everything inside Career Strategy Lab? Apply or learn more.⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.🔔 Follow & Subscribe for weekly strategies and stories to help you grow in your UX career—without the burnout.💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Applied to 50+ UX or Product jobs & still no interviews or offers? Get UX job search help.Welcome to the Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody, a UX Designer & UX Researcher with 20 years of experience who founded the UX job search accelerator, Career Strategy Lab. She's been doing UX career coaching since 2017.Follow Sarah on: LinkedIn | YouTube | InstagramFeel like you’re doing everything “right” and still not getting anywhere? You might be saying yes to too much—and it’s slowing you down.In this episode, Sarah shares how one of Steve Jobs’ greatest strengths—his ability to say no—has shaped the design of Career Strategy Lab and her own career choices. You’ll hear how saying no to shiny objects, distractions, and opportunities that seem exciting on the surface actually leads to deeper results, more momentum, and a better UX for job seekers inside CSL.Whether you’re applying to every job that pops up, overcommitting to upskilling, or trying to be everything to everyone, this episode is a reminder that focus is a strategy—and saying no is a skill.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ What Steve Jobs’ product philosophy can teach you about your UX career✔️ How Sarah decides what to say no to in her business—and why it matters✔️ Why not doing “all the things” actually creates better outcomes for clients✔️ The trade-offs you’re making every time you say yes✔️ How saying no led to CSL’s newest AI tool + all-in-one experience✔️ 3 reflection questions to help you narrow your focus and move forwardTimestamps:01:50 Steve Jobs' Focus Strategy03:55 Applying Focus in My Career08:01 The Importance of Specialization11:47 Real-Life Examples of Saying No13:28 The Ripple Effect of Focus17:50 Final Thoughts and Career Advice20:07 Conclusion and How to Connect⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.🔔 Follow & Subscribe for weekly strategies and stories to help you grow in your UX career—without the burnout.💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Feel like your UX experience is too complex to explain—or too chaotic to package into a clear story? In this open house interview, Steve Sanshwe shares how he went from a chaotic job search and overwhelming case studies to landing a Principal Product Designer role—faster than he expected and at a higher level than he applied for.Steve explains how he used the Career Strategy Lab to reframe his experience, clarify his story, and attract the right roles (without redesigning his resume 10 times or burning out in the process). Whether you’re drowning in too much experience or unsure how to stand out, Steve’s journey offers practical takeaways and proof that progress—not perfection—is what moves the needle.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why Steve finally stopped rewriting the same case study and joined CSL✔️ The mindset shift that helped him clarify his story and build confidence✔️ How reframing your portfolio can attract better-fit opportunities✔️ Why he landed a higher-level role than he applied for✔️ How he used his Compass Statement to own the interview✔️ Why saying “no” to the wrong roles helped him find the right one—fastTimestamps:01:00 Episode Context and Audience02:09 Steve's Career Journey and UX Experience05:26 The Impact of Career Strategy Lab11:32 Iterative Process and Sprints16:52 Final Tips and Conclusion19:02 Closing Remarks and Podcast Information⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.🔔 Follow & Subscribe for weekly strategies and stories to help you grow in your UX career—without the burnout.💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

What does your UX job search have in common with Peloton? A lot more than you think. In this episode, Sarah shares the behind-the-scenes story of how a treadmill class in NYC and a Peloton bike helped her design Career Strategy Lab. You’ll learn how the principles of group fitness at scale inspired the structure, energy, and effectiveness of this UX job search accelerator—and how applying those same principles to your career can help you get out of your own head, stop procrastinating, and finally make progress.What You'll Learn in This Episode:✔️ The UX behind Sarah’s early inspiration for Career Strategy Lab✔️ How “perceived effort” can help job seekers at every level thrive in the same space✔️ Why group coaching helps beat procrastination and self-doubt✔️ What Peloton and portfolio reviews have in common (hint: shared energy)✔️ The power of community, cognitive offloading, and normalization in your job search✔️ Why DIYing your career might be the thing keeping you stuckTimestamps:00:56 The Inspiration Behind Career Strategy Lab01:29 The Concept of Group Fitness at Scale04:51 Applying Group Fitness Principles to Career Coaching06:50 Benefits of Group Coaching10:20 Normalization in Group Settings13:40 Cognitive Offloading in Group Coaching16:10 Community, Accountability, and Belonging17:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts23:32 Call to Action and Additional Resources24:47 Encouragement for Job SeekersApplied to 50+ UX or Product jobs & still no interviews or offers? Get UX job search help.Welcome to the Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody, a UX Designer & UX Researcher with 20 years of experience who founded the UX job search accelerator, Career Strategy Lab. She's been doing UX career coaching since 2017.⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.🔔 Follow & Subscribe for weekly strategies and stories to help you grow in your UX career—without the burnout.💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Applied to 50+ UX or Product jobs & still no interviews or offers? Get UX job search help.Welcome to the Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody, a UX Designer & UX Researcher with 20 years of experience who founded the UX job search accelerator, Career Strategy Lab. She's been doing UX career coaching since 2017.Follow Sarah on: LinkedIn | YouTube | InstagramNancy Leslie has over 30 years of UX experience—and yet, before joining Career Strategy Lab, she felt irrelevant, overlooked, and unsure of how to position herself in today’s market. In this honest and uplifting open house conversation, Nancy shares how she moved from self-doubt to spaciousness, and why she finally feels like herself again—professionally and personally.Whether you're later in your career or just feeling disconnected from your value, Nancy’s story will remind you that it’s never too late to rewrite your narrative and re-energize your future.What You'll Learn This Episode:✔️ Why years of experience can make job searching harder, not easier✔️ The emotional toll of being a runner-up again and again✔️ How Nancy reframed “aged out” into “experienced pioneer”✔️ The surprising career impact of mindset and community✔️ Why CSL didn’t box her in—but actually set her free✔️ How showing up, experimenting, and getting feedback changed everythingTimestamps:00:58 Episode Overview and Special Format01:42 Introducing Nancy: A UX Veteran02:10 Nancy's Journey in UX03:16 The Impact of Career Strategy Lab04:47 Mindset Shifts and Career Growth12:04 The Role of Community and Coaching15:56 Final Thoughts and Advice17:20 Conclusion and Podcast Outro18:04 Special Message for Job Seekers⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.🔔 Follow & Subscribe for weekly strategies and stories to help you grow in your UX career—without the burnout.💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Applied to 50+ UX or Product jobs & still no interviews or offers? Get UX job search help.Welcome to the Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody, a UX Designer & UX Researcher with 20 years of experience who founded the UX job search accelerator, Career Strategy Lab. She's been doing UX career coaching since 2017.Follow Sarah on: LinkedIn | YouTube | InstagramStill stuck in job search mode even though you’re “doing all the right things”? This episode might explain why.What if the problem isn’t how hard you’re working—but what you’re working on?In this episode, Sarah unpacks one of the most powerful mindset shifts you can make in your career: moving from working in your career (busywork, perfectionism, burnout) to working on it (strategy, clarity, confidence). Drawing from her own business experience and the journeys of UX professionals she’s coached, Sarah shows you how to stop spinning your wheels and start making high-leverage decisions that move your career forward.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️The difference between working in vs. on your career or job search✔️ Why busy doesn’t equal progress—and what to do instead✔️ The costly habits that keep you stuck (like redesigning your resume for the 10th time)✔️ How to zoom out and make more strategic, long-term career decisions✔️ What cupcake bakers, physical therapists, and UX designers have in common✔️ 3 reflection questions to help you shift into CEO mode for your careerTimestamps:00:00 Introduction: Troubleshooting Formulas and Business Insights01:47 Starting My First Business: The Journey Begins02:13 The Importance of Working On Your Business03:22 Examples of Working In vs. On Your Business09:40 Applying Business Strategies to Your Career17:43 Actionable Tips for Career Growth21:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts🔍 Mid-Year UX Career Audit – Free Live WorkshopFeeling scattered or stuck in your UX career? Join Sarah Doody for a free, live UX Career Audit Workshop to help you pause, reflect, and plan your next move with intention.✔️ Why you need to audit your career like a product roadmap✔️ How to identify what’s working (and what’s not)✔️ Why you need Career Performance Indicators (CPIs)🎯 Register here → maven.com/sarahdoody🗺️ Free UX Career RoadmapNot sure what stage you're in—or what to focus on next in your UX career?Download Sarah Doody’s free UX Career Roadmap to get clarity on where you are and what matters most right now, whether you're job searching, pivoting, or planning ahead.✔️ Identify your current stage in the UX career journey✔️ Prioritize what to work on (and what to ignore)✔️ Avoid wasting time on the wrong things🎯 Download the roadmap → Here⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.🔔 Follow & Subscribe for weekly strategies and stories to help you grow in your UX career—without the burnout.💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

After being laid off from his UX position, Duncan Abel wasn’t sure how to package his 20+ years of UX experience—or if he even wanted to stay in the field. In this candid conversation, Duncan shares how Career Strategy Lab gave him the structure, community, and confidence to move forward and land a global UX leadership role at the British Standards Institute.Whether you're a senior leader navigating change or just unsure how to communicate your value, Duncan’s story will inspire you to stop doubting your experience and start owning your career path.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why being experienced doesn’t always make job searching easier✔️ How Duncan rebuilt his confidence after a layoff✔️ The surprising value of self-reflection in a job search✔️ What made interviews feel radically different this time✔️ Why your “mentor model” and “compass statement” matter more than you think✔️ How Career Strategy Lab helped him clarify, focus, and land a high-level roleTimestamps:00:00 Introduction to Career Strategy Podcast00:40 Meet Duncan Abel: Career Journey and Challenges04:29 The Impact of Career Strategy Lab10:30 Mentorship and Career Roadmap Insights14:09 Global Relevance of Career Strategy Lab16:45 Final Advice and Encouragement19:58 Conclusion and Social Media Call-to-ActionApplied to 50+ UX or Product jobs & still no interviews or offers? Get UX job search help.Welcome to the Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody, a UX Designer & UX Researcher with 20 years of experience who founded the UX job search accelerator, Career Strategy Lab. She's been doing UX career coaching since 2017.⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

In this special “coaches takeover” episode, Career Strategy Lab coaches Erin, Steph, and Becca go behind the scenes to talk candidly about what actually happens inside Career Strategy Lab. From client wins and transformations to what makes CSL different from other career programs, you’ll hear their real talk on what works, who thrives, and why this job search container is unlike anything else.Whether you're skeptical of coaching, burnt out from DIYing your job search, or just curious about how CSL works, this episode gives you an inside look from the people who live and breathe it every day.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ What makes CSL truly different (hint: it’s not just the curriculum)✔️ The #1 thing clients think is their problem—and what it actually is✔️ What happens when people stop doom-scrolling and start taking action✔️ The unexpected power of community, mindset support, and critique feedback✔️ How CSL helps you tell a better story—not just land a job✔️ Why the coaches choose to stay (and why that matters)Timestamps:00:53 Meet the Coaches: Erin, Steph, and Becca01:25 First Impressions of Sarah Duty05:05 What Sarah Gets Right in Career Coaching09:47 Behind the Scenes of Career Strategy Lab15:14 Client Success Stories and Transformations17:32 Why We Choose to Stay with CSL24:33 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsApplied to 50+ UX or Product jobs & still no interviews or offers? Get UX job search help.Welcome to the Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody, a UX Designer & UX Researcher with 20 years of experience who founded the UX job search accelerator, Career Strategy Lab. She's been doing UX career coaching since 2017.Follow Sarah on: LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.