Avsnitt

  • Enrollment is OPEN for my UX job search accelerator and will close on Fri, Jun 20 at 8pm PT. Join by Friday and get 1 extra month in the program for free. You can learn more, watch success stories, or enroll here.

    And you can watch to the recording of my UX job search workshop, until this Friday.

    If you have questions about the UX job search accelerator program (aka Career Strategy Lab) you can book a 1:1 call here or use the chat widget on the websites linked above to send us a message.

    🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

    👉 Join Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

    👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and 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 | Instagram

    Still 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 career

    Timestamps:

    00:00 Introduction: Troubleshooting Formulas and Business Insights

    01:47 Starting My First Business: The Journey Begins

    02:13 The Importance of Working On Your Business

    03:22 Examples of Working In vs. On Your Business

    09:40 Applying Business Strategies to Your Career

    17:43 Actionable Tips for Career Growth

    21:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    🔍 Mid-Year UX Career Audit – Free Live Workshop

    Feeling 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 Roadmap

    Not 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.

    🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

    👉 Join Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

    👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

  • Saknas det avsnitt?

    Klicka här för att uppdatera flödet manuellt.

  • 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 role

    Timestamps:

    00:00 Introduction to Career Strategy Podcast

    00:40 Meet Duncan Abel: Career Journey and Challenges

    04:29 The Impact of Career Strategy Lab

    10:30 Mentorship and Career Roadmap Insights

    14:09 Global Relevance of Career Strategy Lab

    16:45 Final Advice and Encouragement

    19:58 Conclusion and Social Media Call-to-Action

    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.

    ⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.

    🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

    👉 Join Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

    👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and 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 Becca

    01:25 First Impressions of Sarah Duty

    05:05 What Sarah Gets Right in Career Coaching

    09:47 Behind the Scenes of Career Strategy Lab

    15:14 Client Success Stories and Transformations

    17:32 Why We Choose to Stay with CSL

    24:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    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 | Instagram

    🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

    👉 Join Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

    👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and 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 | Instagram

    In this special solo episode, Sarah Doody shares the real story behind her first UX portfolio—and the costly mistakes she made that kept her stuck in interview limbo. From printing screenshots into a binder to learning how to treat her portfolio like a product, Sarah walks you through what finally changed the game and led to job offers, consulting gigs, and even interviews at Google.

    This episode isn’t just a walk down memory lane—it’s a powerful reminder that timeless UX principles always outperform trends, and that your portfolio is more than a set of case studies—it’s your career’s most important product.

    Whether you're reworking your portfolio, struggling to get offers, or feeling burnt out by conflicting advice, this episode will give you clarity, focus, and a fresh way forward.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    ✔️ Why Sarah's first UX portfolio got interviews—but not offers

    ✔️ The mistake that kept her stuck (and how she fixed it with UX strategy)

    ✔️ Why your portfolio isn’t just a website—it’s a storytelling tool

    ✔️ The five most common portfolio mistakes—and how to avoid them

    ✔️ Why timeless principles beat trendy templates or AI-generated case studies

    ✔️ How Sarah’s 2006 portfolio framework still helps people get hired today

    Timestamps:

    00:15 Sarah Doody's Career Journey

    00:57 Struggles and Strategies in UX Job Search

    01:26 Transforming the Portfolio

    01:57 Early Career and Freelance Work

    04:11 Portfolio Evolution and Lessons Learned

    06:36 Modern Portfolio Strategies

    13:35 The Importance of Timeless Principles

    20:04 Common Portfolio Mistakes

    24:55 Final Thoughts

    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.

    🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

    👉 Join Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

    👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and 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 | Instagram

    In this special open house episode, Sarah Doody chats with Joshua, a UX design leader with over 20 years of experience, about the reality of navigating a job search after a long career in enterprise environments. Josh opens up about the challenges of staying relevant in a shifting industry, rebuilding his confidence after burnout, and reframing what it means to craft a compelling portfolio—even without flashy Figma work.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    ✔️ How Josh is positioning himself for a new chapter after 20+ years in UX

    ✔️ Why your portfolio doesn’t need to be visual to be powerful

    ✔️ The mindset shift that helped Josh regain clarity and momentum

    ✔️ How asking former colleagues for feedback transformed his self-perception

    ✔️ What it looks like to find leadership roles that align with your values

    ✔️ Tips on managing your time, energy, and expectations in the job search

    Timestamps:

    00:20 Welcome to the Career Strategy Podcast

    00:58 Episode Overview and Listener Engagement

    01:43 Meet Josh Vaughn: UX Design Leader

    02:33 Josh's Career Journey and Challenges

    04:53 The Importance of Storytelling in Portfolios

    06:45 Building Confidence and Career Strategy

    11:55 Reflecting on Career Strategy Lab

    13:23 Final Thoughts and Advice

    14:51 Conclusion and Farewell

    16:05 Podcast Outro

    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.

    🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

    👉 Join Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

    👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and 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 | Instagram

    In this special open house episode, Sarah sits down with Marcus, a UX designer and recent graduate of Career Strategy Lab (CSL), to share his powerful journey from long-term unemployment to landing a meaningful role in government design.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    ✔️ How Marcus turned a cold job market into an opportunity for clarity and growth

    ✔️ Why relationships—not cold DMs—led to the referral that got him hired

    ✔️ How CSL’s portfolio process gave him the tools and confidence to own his value

    ✔️ What mindset shifts helped him stay grounded during an uncertain season

    ✔️ The power of community in navigating the emotional rollercoaster of a UX job search

    Timestamps:

    00:18 Welcome to the Career Strategy Podcast

    00:56 Episode Overview and Listener Engagement

    01:41 Guest Introduction: Marcus' Career Journey

    03:15 Marcus' Experience with Career Strategy Lab

    05:13 The Importance of Relationships and Networking

    06:20 Building Confidence Through Portfolio and Mindset

    10:07 Reflecting on Personal Growth and Community

    11:48 Advice for New Career Strategy Lab Members

    13:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    14:20 Outro and Listener Call to Action

    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.

    🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

    👉 Join Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

    👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

  • In this episode, UX Researcher & Product Designer, Sarah Doody, shares a tool she created to calculate the ROI of your UX job search. You can watch the episode here and if you wish, get your own personalized UX job search calculator.

    You might think your DIY job search is saving you money, but the truth is, it’s likely costing you tens of thousands in lost income, time, and emotional energy. In this eye-opening episode, Sarah Doody breaks down the real cost of an inefficient UX job search using her custom-built UX Job Search ROI Calculator. You’ll follow 3 real-world scenarios, a mid-level designer, a career switcher, and a junior designer, and see how seemingly small inefficiencies (like endless applications and resume rewrites) quickly add up to five-figure losses.

    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.

    🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

    👉 Join Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

    👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and 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 | Instagram

    In this candid and encouraging open house conversation, Sarah Doody interviews Fritz Boyle, a UX researcher and Career Strategy Lab (CSL) graduate who recently landed a program manager role at Amazon—after nearly two years of job searching.

    Fritz shares what changed when he finally stopped spinning his wheels and committed to a strategic process. From rebuilding his portfolio and resume with intention, to regaining confidence through storytelling, community, and reflection, Fritz walks us through the exact mindset and tactical shifts that helped him move from burnout to breakthrough.

    Whether you’ve been job searching for months or you’re just starting out, this episode is a reminder that it’s never too late to get clear, realign your strategy, and step into the next chapter of your career with confidence.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    ✔️ Why applying to every UX job doesn’t work—and what to do instead

    ✔️ How creating a portfolio isn’t just about design—it’s about clarity and confidence

    ✔️ The role of community and coaching in rebuilding after rejection

    ✔️ How Fritz moved from doubt to a leadership role in AI research at Amazon

    ✔️ Why following a structured process made all the difference

    ✔️ What it looks like to think long-term about your UX career (not just your next role)

    Where Fritz Works Now:

    🎯 Program Manager at Amazon, leading AI-powered UX research initiatives for the shopping experience

    Resources & Next Steps:

    💬 Love this episode? Share it and tag @sarahdoody with your favorite insight.

    Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help others discover Career Strategy Podcast.

    🔔 Follow & Subscribe for weekly stories, strategies, and mindset shifts to help you thrive in your UX career.

    Timestamps:

    01:41 Meet the Guest: Fritz's Journey

    02:52 Challenges in the Job Market

    03:15 The Role of Career Strategy Lab

    05:11 Importance of Networking and Feedback

    06:49 Building Confidence and Storytelling

    09:19 Holistic Approach to Career Development

    16:03 Long-Term Career Strategy

    18:59 Final Thoughts and Advice

    22:33 Conclusion 

    🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

    👉 Join Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

    👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and 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 | Instagram

    Would you ever design a product without doing user research first? Of course not. So why do so many UX professionals walk into job interviews without researching their users—the interviewers?

    In this episode, Sarah Doody shares a simple but powerful strategy that can completely change the tone and outcome of your UX job interviews. You’ll learn how to connect on a human level with interviewers by doing just a bit of thoughtful research—and how those small moments of connection can tip the scales in your favor.

    This isn’t about manipulation. It’s about building trust, showing empathy, and making your job search more human.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    ✔️ Why researching your interviewers is a game-changer

    ✔️ How one candidate at Meta used a single question to create a 5-minute connection

    ✔️ What to look for in someone’s LinkedIn, blog, or social posts

    ✔️ Examples of conversation starters that feel natural—not forced

    ✔️ How to show up as thoughtful, intentional, and memorable in your interviews

    Whether you're early in your UX career or a seasoned pro, this episode will help you build stronger relationships—and better results—from every interview.

    Resources & Next Steps:

    💬 Love this episode? Share it and tag @sarahdoody with your favorite insight.

    ⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help others discover Career Strategy Podcast.

    🔔 Follow & Subscribe for weekly stories, strategies, and mindset shifts to help you thrive in your UX career.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 Introduction to Career Strategy

    00:56 The Power of Human Connection in Interviews

    01:29 Real-Life Example: Making a Personal Connection

    02:54 LinkedIn Post Breakdown

    04:05 Why UX Research Matters in Interviews

    05:27 Tactical Tips for Interview Research

    08:18 Creating Conversation Starters

    09:37 Conclusion and Homework

    11:04 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

    🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

    👉 Join Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

    👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and 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 | Instagram

    You might think soap operas have nothing to do with your UX job search, but in this episode, Sarah Doody shows you why that thinking might be keeping you stuck and invisible.

    Back in the 1930s, Procter & Gamble created soap operas to sell, well… soap. But what they really created was one of the most effective audience engagement strategies in marketing history. And today, you can apply the same four principles to dramatically improve your visibility and momentum as a UX job seeker.

    Whether you’re on the job hunt now or preparing for the future, this episode will reframe how you think about visibility, consistency, and strategy—and show you exactly where you might be going wrong.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    ✔️ Why visibility, not just talent, gets you hired

    ✔️ The 4 key takeaways from Procter & Gamble’s soap opera strategy

    ✔️ How to show up where your audience (aka recruiters & hiring managers) are already hanging out

    ✔️ Why timing and repetition are critical to your job search success

    ✔️ What most UX portfolios and resumes get totally wrong

    ✔️ The mindset shift that turns your job search from passive to powerful

    Resources & Links Mentioned:📌Avoid this mistake when writing your LinkedIn profile headline (Podcast)📌How commenting and posting on LinkedIn can land you more interviews and opportunities (Podcast)📌 What to post on LinkedIn to increase your visibility in your job search (Podcast)📌 LinkedIn mistakes to avoid & how to optimize your LinkedIn profile (Podcast)📌Stop Sending Recruiters Cold Emails & Get Them To Reply By Doing This Instead (Podcast)

    💬 Love this episode? Share it and tag @sarahdoody with your favorite insight.

    ⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help others discover Career Strategy Podcast.

    🔔 Follow & Subscribe for weekly stories, strategies, and mindset shifts to help you thrive in your UX career.

    Timestamps:

    00:33 Unlocking Career Success with Strategy

    00:55 Soap Operas and Your UX Job Search

    01:24 The Birth of Soap Operas: A Marketing Masterstroke

    02:13 Applying Soap Opera Strategies to Your Job Search

    03:49 Lesson 1: Go Where Your Audience Is

    05:53 Lesson 2: Design for Your Audience

    08:26 Lesson 3: Repetition Builds Trust

    10:59 Lesson 4: Timing Matters

    13:05 Conclusion: Applying the Soap Opera Strategy

    15:11 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

    🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

    👉 Join Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

    👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and 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 | Instagram

    If you’ve applied to 100+ UX jobs and still haven’t landed an interview or offer… this episode is your wake-up call.

    Sarah Doody shares the tough love and practical insights you need to finally pause, reflect, and strategically pivot your job search. Because applying to more jobs isn’t the answer—strategy is.

    This episode is part pep talk, part intervention, and fully packed with real talk about what it takes to get hired in today’s competitive UX job market.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    ✔️ Why applying to 100+ jobs without results is a sign—not a failure

    ✔️ The difference between a numbers game and a strategy game

    ✔️ Why being great at UX doesn’t mean you’re great at getting hired

    ✔️ How to assess what’s really not working in your job search

    ✔️ The mindset shifts and next steps that will actually move the needle

    If you’re feeling discouraged, stuck, or ready to give up—this one’s for you.

    Resources & Next Steps:

    💬 Love this episode? Share it and tag @sarahdoody with your favorite insight.

    ⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help others discover Career Strategy Podcast.

    🔔 Follow & Subscribe for weekly stories, strategies, and mindset shifts to help you thrive in your UX career.

    Timestamps

    00:59 The Job Search Intervention

    03:13 Identifying the Problem

    04:01 Real-Life Analogies

    06:30 The Need for Change

    08:49 Seeking Expert Help

    09:28 Facts vs. Emotions

    17:05 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

    🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

    👉 Join Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

    👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and 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 | Instagram

    This episode was from a session on Maven! Click here to watch the replay.

    If you’re applying to UX jobs and not getting interviews, your resume might be the problem—specifically, how it interacts with the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).

    In this episode, Sarah Doody breaks down exactly how to format your resume so it gets past ATS filters and lands in front of recruiters and hiring managers.

    You'll learn why you need TWO versions of your resume, what formatting mistakes to avoid, and how to tailor your resume for each job posting—without spending hours on every application.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    ✔️ Why ATS matters and how it scans and ranks resumes

    ✔️ The difference between an ATS-friendly and a human-friendly resume

    ✔️ Why two-column resumes can sabotage your chances

    ✔️ How to use job descriptions to tailor your resume for better results

    ✔️ Three common resume mistakes that could be costing you interviews

    ✔️ Why a one-page resume could be hurting your job search

    Timestamps

    01:04 The Importance of a Strategic Resume

    03:08 Understanding Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

    06:24 How ATS Parses Your Resume

    08:19 Formatting Your Resume for ATS

    16:23 Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid

    24:01 Recap and Final Tips

    25:23 Conclusion and Contact Information

    🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

    👉 Join Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

    👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and 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 | Instagram

    Welcome to another Open House episode of the Career Strategy Podcast! In this episode, Sarah Doody sits down with Jon Simmons, a seasoned product designer currently navigating the UX job search.

    Jon shares his experience of revamping his portfolio, refining his job search strategy, and preparing for senior-level interviews after a layoff. He discusses how shifting his portfolio approach from a website to a presentation format significantly improved his job prospects and how structured storytelling and community support made a difference in his confidence and clarity.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    ✔️ The importance of stepping back from just tweaking your portfolio and doing deeper self-reflection

    ✔️ How portfolio presentations (vs. websites) give you more control over your job search narrative

    ✔️ The role of mindset and confidence in positioning yourself for high-level UX roles

    ✔️ Why community and structured frameworks can prevent burnout and job search frustration

    ✔️ Jon’s insights on interviewing for principal product designer roles and adapting to today’s market

    Timestamps

    01:43 Episode Overview and Open House Context

    03:14 John's Journey in Career Strategy Lab

    07:12 Portfolio Presentation Insights

    15:58 The Importance of Self-Reflection

    18:03 Advice for Prospective Members

    20:06 Conclusion and Community Highlights

    21:47 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

    🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

    👉 Join Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

    👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and 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 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

    In this special Open House episode, Sarah Doody sits down with Career Strategy Lab (CSL) alum Sarah Page to discuss her journey navigating the UX job market. From being laid off as a creative director to landing a Senior UX Designer role in health tech, Sarah shares the mindset shifts, job search strategies, and portfolio insights that helped her stand out.

    She also reveals the unexpected format of her interviews, how she positioned her diverse experience to appeal to hiring managers, and why letting go of what’s out of your control is a game-changer in your job search.

    If you’re struggling with rejection, resume gaps, or feeling “overqualified” and “underqualified” at the same time—this episode is for you!

    What You’ll Learn:

    ✅ Why job rejections often have nothing to do with you (and how to move forward)

    ✅ The power of a well-structured portfolio—and why Figma slides worked better than a website

    ✅ How to confidently position diverse experience (even across industries!)

    ✅ The mental shift that helped Sarah stay motivated through uncertainty

    ✅ How social proof (from hiring managers, peers, and CSL feedback) builds confidence

    ✅ The real role of interviews (hint: sometimes it’s just a vibe check!)

    ✅ Why finding the right company fit matters more than tweaking your resume endlessly

    ✅ How Sarah strategically approached salary negotiation and total compensation

    Timestamps

    01:50 Open House Overview

    03:22 Success Stories and Strategies

    05:47 Navigating the Job Market

    09:15 Interview Experiences

    13:45 Negotiating Job Offers

    17:08 Advice for Job Seekers

    20:45 Conclusion and Farewell

    🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

    👉 Join Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

    👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and 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 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

    Promotions don’t just happen—you have to advocate for yourself! 

    In this episode, Sarah breaks down the inspiring story of Marco, a Senior Product Designer who secured a 37% increase in total compensation by leveraging his annual review process, gathering compelling evidence, and using the tools from Career Strategy Lab to make his case.

    If you’ve ever wondered how to position yourself for a promotion, this episode is a must-listen. Sarah walks through Marco’s exact strategy, from recognizing his value to structuring his performance review, so you can apply the same tactics in your own career.

    What You’ll Learn:

    Why promotions don’t happen by chance—you have to make the case for yourself.How Marco used UX case studies from Career Strategy Lab to showcase his impact.The importance of peer reviews and selecting the right colleagues to vouch for you.How to prepare for performance review season all year round—not just weeks before.Why documenting your achievements is crucial for both promotions and job searches.

    Links & Resources:

    Join Career Strategy Lab to fast-track your job search or promotion

    If this episode resonated with you, tag Sarah on social media or leave a quick review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

    🎧 Listen now and start setting yourself up for your next promotion!

    Timestamps

    00:38 The Importance of Strategy in Career Growth

    01:02 Case Study: Marco's Journey to Promotion

    02:02 Marco's Strategy: Leveraging Career Strategy Lab

    04:15 Steps Marco Took to Secure His Promotion

    07:54 Key Takeaways: How to Advocate for Yourself

    10:28 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

    11:36 Conclusion: Stay Connected and Share Your Thoughts

    🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

    👉 Join Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

    👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

  • Want to get hired in UX faster? Click here.

    Welcome to the Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody, a UX Designer & UX Researcher who also founded the UX job search accelerator Career Strategy Lab. She's been doing UX career coaching since 2017.

    Follow Sarah on: LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram

    In this episode of the Career Strategy Podcast, Sarah Doody breaks down the key steps to getting hired—whether for a full-time job or a freelance contract. Through the story of Emily, a former fashion and beauty marketer turned UX writer, Sarah illustrates how refining your resume, portfolio, and LinkedIn profile can dramatically increase your opportunities and earning potential.

    Emily’s journey highlights the power of strategic career marketing—starting with a $35/hour contract, she grew her rate to $125/hour in under six months. Sarah shares actionable insights on how you can position yourself as the ideal candidate, attract job offers and freelance clients, and confidently communicate your value to decision-makers.

    Key Takeaways

    Why the hiring process for full-time and freelance work follows the same fundamental principles.How Emily used Career Strategy Lab to refine her portfolio, LinkedIn, and resume—unlocking new career opportunities.The importance of treating every professional interaction as a potential interview.How to iterate on your resume, portfolio, and LinkedIn profile based on feedback.Why contract work can be a stepping stone to full-time roles (or a lucrative career path on its own).How Career Strategy Lab can help accelerate your job search—and even count as a tax-deductible expense for freelancers.

    Time Stamps

    00:00 Introduction to Career Strategy

    01:01 Meet Emily: A UX Writing Success Story

    02:34 Emily's Journey to Freelance Success

    05:23 The Financial Upside of Freelancing

    08:21 Key Lessons from Emily's Experience

    11:55 Final Tips and Conclusion

    14:12 Wrap-Up and Contact Information

    🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

    👉 Join Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

    👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and 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 | Instagram

    In this episode, Sarah dives into the hidden costs of navigating your job search alone and why a DIY approach may be holding you back. Many job seekers spend months stuck in a cycle of applying, tweaking resumes, and feeling frustrated—without realizing they’re wasting valuable time, missing opportunities, and facing an unnecessary emotional toll.

    Sarah breaks down why job searching requires strategy, positioning, and persistence—not just endless applications. She also shares what successful job seekers do differently, including treating their job search like a UX project, getting strategic with LinkedIn, and investing in the right tools and guidance to accelerate results.

    If you’re tired of going in circles and want to land a job faster and smarter, this episode is for you!

    What You’ll Learn:

    ✅ The #1 hidden cost of a DIY job search (hint: it’s not just time wasted)

    ✅ Why “busy work” like tweaking your resume daily doesn’t move the needle

    ✅ How to spot FSP activities (False Sense of Progress) and focus on what works

    ✅ The missed opportunities that cost you job leads and interviews

    ✅ The mental and emotional toll of job searching alone—and how to fix it

    ✅ How to structure your job search like a UX project to get hired faster

    ✅ The biggest mistakes job seekers make on LinkedIn (and what to do instead)

    ✅ Why successful job seekers seek feedback early and often

    Resources & Links Mentioned:

    📌 How to Post Strategically on LinkedIn (Podcast

    📌 Steven’s Success Story – How He Landed a UX Research Role

    📌 Join Career Strategy Lab & Get Expert Guidance

    Timestamps:

    00:21 Welcome to the Career Strategy Podcast

    01:04 The Hidden Costs of Navigating Your Job Search Alone

    02:47 The Real Impact of a DIY Job Search

    03:18 Time: The Most Expensive Hidden Cost

    05:59 Missed Opportunities in Your Job Search

    09:58 Mental and Emotional Toll of a DIY Job Search

    13:59 What Successful Job Seekers Do Differently

    14:12 Treating Your Job Search Like a UX Project

    16:08 Understanding the Users of Your Job Search

    18:35 Learning from Proven Tools and Guidance

    20:41 Creating Structure and Accountability

    25:21 Breaking Free from the DIY Approach

    27:42 Conclusion: Reflecting on Your Job Search Approach

    29:05 Career Strategy Lab: Your Next Step

    30:29 Final Thoughts and Farewell

    🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

    👉 Join Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

    👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

  • In this episode, we’re taking you inside a Career Strategy Lab Open House, where we chat with Jane, a UX researcher who landed a Principal UX Researcher role at Whole Foods—despite having no prior U.S. work experience or connections!

    Jane’s story is an incredible example of what’s possible when you shift from a scarcity mindset to a strategic approach in your job search.

    🔹 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    ✔️ Why treating your career like a product roadmap leads to better opportunities

    ✔️ How Jane overcame imposter syndrome and job search doubts

    ✔️ The biggest mistakes she made before joining Career Strategy Lab

    ✔️ The power of clarity in choosing the right roles and companies

    ✔️ How she landed a job above the level she applied for

    ✔️ Why negotiation isn’t just about salary—it’s about strategy

    Whether you're feeling stuck in your job search or just need some motivation, Jane’s experience will inspire you to take action and own your career strategy.

    ✨ Considering Career Strategy Lab? Jane shares why she believes it’s a priceless investment in your future.

    🎧 Tune in now and get ready to rethink how you approach your job search!

    🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

    👉 Join Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

    👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

  • Many career coaching programs use cohort-based models to keep participants accountable. But do they really work? In today’s episode, we’re tackling a common question: Is Career Strategy Lab’s UX Job Search Accelerator run in cohorts? Spoiler alert—it's not! And there’s a very good reason why.

    Host Sarah Doody breaks down why strict cohort schedules can be limiting, how Career Strategy Lab takes a different approach, and why focusing on outcomes over rigid timelines creates a better job search experience. Whether you’re treating your job search like a full-time job or balancing it alongside a 9-to-5, this episode will help you stay accountable without the stress of falling behind.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    ✅ Why traditional cohort-based courses can actually slow you down or leave you behind.

    ✅ How Career Strategy Lab builds daily and weekly habits to keep you accountable.

    ✅ The power of sprint check-ins, deadlines, and structured flexibility for job seekers.

    ✅ Why focusing on outcomes over schedules is key to success.

    ✅ The "Three E’s" method: Execute, Engage, Encourage—and how it keeps you on track.

    Links & Resources:

    🔗 Learn more & apply: careerstrategylab.com/apply

    📩 Questions? Send a message on LinkedIn to Sarah Doody

    🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

    👉 Join Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

    👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.