The Product of You: Design, Market, & Sell with Sarah Doody

Nov 20, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Sarah Doody, a UX researcher and career strategist, reveals why many designers feel stagnant and how they can break free. She introduces her innovative 'Product of You' framework, encouraging professionals to treat themselves like a product in their careers. Topics include overcoming 'identity fog,' the importance of a clear career roadmap, and practical advice on tailoring application materials. Sarah emphasizes the value of experimentation and metrics in job searches, helping designers realign their paths for success.

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INSIGHT

Apply UX To Your Career

Designers stop using their own UX processes on their careers and then feel stuck.
Sarah Doody frames career success as design + marketing + sales for the "Product of You."

ANECDOTE

Pivot Fueled By Inbox Demand

Sarah's inbox flooded in 2017 with designers asking for portfolio help, which sparked her pivot to career coaching.
She noticed identity fog and lack of process repeated across many job-search struggles.

ADVICE

Write A Compass Statement

Prepare a concise elevator pitch or "compass statement" that summarises who you are and your value.
Believe your pitch, because confidence shows up on screening calls and first interviews.

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This week, I sit down with Sarah Doody to talk about why so many designers feel stuck, and why it has nothing to do with talent. We explore how designers can apply their own UX process to their careers, create clarity through “compass statements,” and build a roadmap that actually leads somewhere.

What would happen if you stopped treating your portfolio like the product—and started treating yourself like the product?

This week, I’m joined by UX researcher, product designer, and career strategist Sarah Doody to unpack a hard truth: most designers aren’t broken; they’re just not applying their own process to their careers. After years of helping teams build the right products, Sarah noticed the same patterns designers use at work rarely show up in their job search. That gap is exactly what inspired her to start Career Strategy Lab.

In our conversation, we dig into the symptoms of “identity fog,” why so many designers struggle to articulate their own value, and how the industry’s obsession with FANG feeds unrealistic expectations. Sarah breaks down her “Product of You” framework—designing yourself, marketing yourself, and selling yourself—and shows how a single compass statement can influence everything from what projects you showcase to which jobs you apply for.

We also talk about experimentation, metrics, tailoring your materials, and the surprising reasons why designers waste months tweaking their portfolios without improving their outcomes. If you’ve ever felt stuck, lost, or unsure how to stand out in a crowded market, this episode will give you the clarity and the next steps you’ve been missing.

Give it a listen. You might walk away with a completely new way to think about your career.

Topics:
• 01:57 – Feeling Stuck in Your UX Career
• 03:28 – Understanding Career Identity Fog
• 06:00 – The Importance of an Elevator Pitch
• 09:57 – Applying UX Processes to Your Career
• 23:24 – Experimentation and Metrics in Job Search
• 26:39 – Tailoring Your Resume and Portfolio
• 34:02 – The Role of ATS and AI in Job Applications
• 37:47 – Rethinking Success Beyond FANG Companies
• 39:40 – Golden Handcuffs: The Reality of Working at FANG
• 41:17 – Creating a Life Roadmap Before a Career Roadmap
• 43:39 – Defining Your Perfect Day and Career Goals
• 45:17 – The Importance of Total Compensation Packages
• 46:57 – Effective Job Search Strategies and Networking
• 48:47 – Documenting Your Work and Portfolio Tips
• 53:56 – The Value of Paid Career Coaching

Helpful Links:
• Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn
• The Career Strategy Lab
• The Career Strategy Podcast

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