122: How Marcus Got Hired as a UX Researcher After Six Months of Rejection

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.

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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

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