148: From Lost in UX to Confident Systems Designer: How Phoenix Reclaimed His UX Career Identity

In this episode, Sarah sits down with Phoenix, a Career Strategy Lab (CSL) member who shares what it's like to be in the middle of their UX job search transformation.

Phoenix opens up about the identity crisis that came from trying to be what companies wanted and how shifting toward a product-thinking approach—treating their career like a system—led to clarity, confidence, and traction. This is a must-listen for any UX or product professional feeling stuck, unfocused, or uncertain about how to move forward in today’s job market.

You’ll hear Phoenix share the exact moment things started to click, the biggest mindset shifts since joining CSL, and how things like a simple resume rewrite not only clarified their value—but also unlocked a potential $20K salary bump.

Whether you’re pivoting into UX, climbing toward leadership, or simply tired of second-guessing yourself, Phoenix’s story will help you see what’s possible when you stop trying to be someone you’re not and start owning what you bring to the table.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ How Phoenix went from feeling irrelevant to in control of their UX career

✔️ Why “conforming” to what employers want actually backfires—and what to do instead

✔️ The power of the compass statement and how it transforms resumes, portfolios, and interviews

✔️ How systems thinking applies to both UX and job search strategy

✔️ The emotional journey of building a personal brand that reflects your true strengths

✔️ Why clarity is more powerful than pep talks when it comes to confidence

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Career Strategy Lab

00:38 Episode Overview and Open House Context

01:22 Q&A with Phoenix: UX Job Search Insights

03:59 Phoenix's Journey: From Uncertainty to Clarity

07:33 The Power of a Strong Resume and Compass Statement

20:04 Emotional Impact and Personal Growth

24:19 Advice for Job Seekers and Final Thoughts

🎬 Watch Sarah's free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in today's UX job market

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

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