133: How terminal uniqueness keeps you stuck in your job search

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 clearly

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Background

00:38 Understanding Terminal Uniqueness

03:12 Examples of Terminal Uniqueness

04:50 Overcoming Terminal Uniqueness

06:54 Communicating Your Unique Story

08:11 Career Strategy Lab Overview

14:49 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

16:58 Podcast Outro and Additional Resources

17:37 Special Message for Job Seekers

🎬 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.