113: How a Senior Product Designer got promoted with a 37% increase in total compensation

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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.