156: From Market Research to UX: How Kellyn Got Hired as a Lead UX Researcher with a 40% Salary Increase

In this episode, Sarah chats with Kellyn, a market researcher who successfully pivoted into a Lead UX Researcher role at Weedmaps, with a 40% salary increase, after feeling stuck, overlooked, and unsure how to position herself for UX roles.

Despite 13+ years of research experience (and a partner who is a career coach) Kellyn wasn’t getting traction when applying to UX research jobs. She knew she had the skills, but lacked the clarity, confidence, and story to prove it. Through Career Strategy Lab, she rebuilt her confidence, clarified her direction, transformed her LinkedIn, and created a portfolio that focused on thinking and storytelling, not flashy visuals.

This episode is a powerful reminder that career pivots don’t require starting over—they require structure, strategy, and the confidence to own your experience.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ How Kellyn reframed market research experience for UX research roles

✔️ Why the Compass Statement was the turning point in her job search

✔️ How narrowing focus saved her time, energy, and burnout

✔️ Why LinkedIn optimization led to real recruiter interest

✔️ How storytelling, not a portfolio website, landed her UX job interviews

✔️ The role of community, coaching, and feedback in rebuilding confidence

✔️ Why CSL is an investment with long-term, compounding career impact

✔️ How clarity led to better interviews, better offers, and better pay

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Sarah Doody and Career Strategy Lab

00:38 Episode Overview and Open House Context

02:10 Kellyn's Career Journey and Success Story

05:00 The Impact of Career Strategy Lab on Confidence and Job Search

13:55 The Importance of LinkedIn Optimization

16:11 Crafting Compelling Case Studies and Portfolios

23:44 Final Thoughts and Advice for Career Strategy Lab Participants

27:08 Conclusion and Additional Resources

27:49 Special Message for Job Seekers

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

👉 Learn more about Sarah Doody's UX job search accelerator, Career Strategy Lab.

👋 Say hi and follow me, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.