Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody | UX, Product Design, UX Research

Think you need a perfect UX portfolio and hundreds of job applications to land a senior UX role? Think again.In this episode, UX career coach Sarah Doody talks with Laura, a former physician turned UX designer, about how she landed a Principal Product Design role, without even applying.Laura shares how she turned a contract job into a 2.5-year role at Cisco, why she joined Sarah Doody's UX career coaching program, Career Strategy Lab, twice. Laura also shares how staying ready (not scrambling) made all the difference when her UX contract ended. Spoiler: she was hired again within two weeks, and her new VP of Product found her on LinkedIn.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ How Laura pivoted from medicine to UX and built her confidence along the way✔️ Why having just one solid case study was enough to land multiple interviews✔️ The key mindset shift that helped her stand out—even in a competitive market✔️ How staying visible on LinkedIn led to a job offer without applying✔️ Why portfolio perfectionism keeps talented UXers stuck✔️ The benefit of specializing in a niche like cybersecurity or networking✔️ How CSL’s frameworks helped her lead, mentor, and present more confidentlyTimestamps:02:06 Laura's Career Journey and Success with Career Strategy Lab05:23 Importance of Testing and Networking09:06 Specialization and Job Search Strategy12:53 Applying Career Strategy Lab Skills in the Workplace17:39 Final Thoughts and Advice for Job Seekers19:29 Conclusion and Podcast Information20:09 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👉 Join Sarah Doody's 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.

If you've ever wondered why your UX or product design portfolio isn't getting attention, this episode is your answer.In this mini workshop, Sarah walks you through the most critical and overlooked fix you can make to your portfolio right now. It’s simple, strategic, and backed by nearly a decade of hiring results.Spoiler: This isn’t about adding more screens or showing more visuals. It’s about how you tell the story of your work—and it all starts with how you use headlines.Whether you’re mid-job search or quietly preparing for your next move, this portfolio tip will make your work easier to read, more memorable, and more effective for all 3 types of portfolio users: recruiters, hiring managers, and future colleagues.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ The 3 users of your portfolio—and what they actually need✔️ Why most portfolios fail the “headline” test (and how to fix yours today)✔️ How to use the inverted pyramid framework from journalism to structure your slides✔️ Why a single, sentence-style headline can change how long someone spends with your work✔️ The easiest way to assess and upgrade your portfolio in under 30 minutesTimestamps:00:00 Introduction to Sarah Doty and Career Strategy Lab00:43 Starting the UX Portfolio Mini Workshop03:23 Understanding the Users of Your Portfolio06:57 The Inverted Pyramid Framework10:59 Practical Portfolio Tips and Examples17:33 The Importance of Headlines in Your Portfolio30:03 Q&A and Additional Advice33:22 Conclusion 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.👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

Applied to 50+ UX or Product jobs & still no interviews or offers? Get UX job search help.Welcome to the Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody, a UX Designer & UX Researcher with 20 years of experience who founded the UX job search accelerator, Career Strategy Lab. She's been doing UX career coaching since 2017.Follow Sarah on: LinkedIn | YouTube | InstagramAfter 18 months of job searching with no results, Mariah was out of steam and questioning everything—until she joined Career Strategy Lab.In this Open House conversation, Sarah talks with Mariah, a UX researcher and experience strategist with a background in customer support and consulting. Mariah came to CSL after burning out from a year and a half of job searching while trying to relocate to Copenhagen. In this honest episode, she shares what finally helped her stop spinning, reconnect with herself, and gain the clarity, confidence, and support she’d been missing.Whether you’re new to UX or deep in burnout, Mariah’s story will remind you that it’s not too late—and you don’t have to figure it out alone.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ What job searching for 18+ months taught Mariah about burnout and boundaries✔️ Why trying to “game the system” kept her stuck and exhausted✔️ How the Compass Sprint reconnected her to her voice, identity, and strengths✔️ Why the mindset calls inside CSL helped her finally feel like herself again✔️ How to balance personal and professional identity in your job search✔️ Her advice for perfectionists and overthinkers: take action, even when it’s messyTimestamps:02:27 Mariah's Background and Career Journey04:21 Joining Career Strategy Lab: Initial Experiences08:09 Impact of Mindset Calls11:50 Tangible Actions and Career Roadmap18:43 Final Advice and Closing Remarks21:22 Podcast Outro and Additional Resources22:03 Special Message for Job Seekers⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.🔔 Follow & Subscribe for weekly strategies and stories to help you grow in your UX career—without the burnout.🎬 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.👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

Apple's iconic marketing helps it stand out because it emphasizes it's benefits, not just features. Instead of just listing every feature of it's products, Apple leans into the benefits. And this tactic, is also how you can stand out as a candidate in your job search.In this episode, we'll use resume examples to show how you can highlight your benefits, and not just your responsibilities and features. .What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why listing responsibilities makes your resume blend in (not stand out)✔️ How to turn “feature” statements into compelling benefit-driven bullets✔️ The marketing lesson Sarah borrowed from Steve Jobs✔️ Real before-and-after examples from UX candidates✔️ Why identifying and believing your own value is step #1✔️ How to infuse your unique benefits across every career “touchpoint”Timestamps:00:40 The Importance of Focusing Beyond Responsibilities02:35 Understanding the Product of You04:32 Communicating Benefits Over Features05:43 Real-World Examples of Benefit-Focused Statements09:10 Becoming a Benefit-Focused Candidate18:52 Recap and Final Thoughts21:16 Conclusion and Additional Resources22:04 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👉 Join Sarah Doody's 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.

Applied to 50+ UX or Product jobs & still no interviews or offers? Get UX job search help.Welcome to the Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody, a UX Designer & UX Researcher with 20 years of experience who founded the UX job search accelerator, Career Strategy Lab. She's been doing UX career coaching since 2017.Follow Sarah on: LinkedIn | YouTube | InstagramWondering how to stand out in UX without burning out? Former technical recruiter Ellie shares her story of switching into product design—and how Career Strategy Lab helped her get her confidence back.In this episode, Sarah interviews Ellie, a former technical recruiter turned UX designer, who joined Career Strategy Lab while navigating new motherhood, burnout, and the unpredictable job market. Despite landing interviews, Ellie felt stuck—and knew she needed a structured, supportive way to rebuild confidence and stand out.You’ll hear how she overcame perfectionism, reframed her job search, and built career habits that now extend beyond her portfolio and into her life.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why Ellie left tech recruiting to pursue UX—and doesn’t regret it✔️ What made her say “yes” to CSL (and why she wishes she joined sooner)✔️ How the Compass Statement gave her clarity and saved her time✔️ The unexpected life shifts that came from doing the work with intention✔️ Tips for breaking perfectionism and building habits that stick✔️ What it’s like to join CSL while navigating new parenthood and burnoutTimestamps:00:00 Introduction to Career Strategy Lab00:38 Episode Overview and Open House Context02:23 Meet Ellie: From Technical Recruiter to Product Designer05:19 Ellie's Career Journey and CSL Experience09:16 The Impact of Career Strategy Lab18:47 Advice and Final Thoughts21:32 Conclusion and Next Steps⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.🔔 Follow & Subscribe for weekly strategies and stories to help you grow in your UX career—without the burnout.🎬 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.👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

Still waiting for recruiters to notice you? One small change to your LinkedIn profile could change everything.In this episode, Sarah shares a real story from a workshop attendee who updated just one line of their LinkedIn profile and got five solid recruiter leads within 24 hours. You’ll learn what part of your profile to focus on (hint: it’s the headline), how to write it in a way that stands out, and why clarity and positioning matter more than lofty statements like “designing for impact.”Plus, Sarah breaks down the three-part UX job search strategy you need to attract the right opportunities, without burning out, second-guessing, or rewriting your portfolio 100 times.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ The one LinkedIn section that has the biggest impact on recruiter outreach✔️ Why most UX job seekers get their headlines totally wrong✔️ How to apply product strategy thinking to your career✔️ The 3 essential UX job search strategies: Design, Marketing, and Sales✔️ What happens when you’re missing even one of those strategies✔️ How to stand out in a sea of qualified candidates (without starting from scratch)Additional Resources:Episode 18: Avoid This Mistake When Writing Your LinkedIn Profile headlineUX Job Search WorkshopTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and Purpose00:38 The Power of LinkedIn Optimization01:27 Understanding the UX Hiring Process02:45 Crafting a Standout LinkedIn Headline05:33 Three Key Strategies for UX Job Search07:27 Invitation to the Workshop08:10 Final Thoughts and Encouragement09:29 Conclusion and Additional Resources10:09 Special Message for Struggling Job Seekers🎬 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.👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

Applied to 50+ UX or Product jobs & still no interviews or offers? Get UX job search help.Welcome to the Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody, a UX Designer & UX Researcher with 20 years of experience who founded the UX job search accelerator, Career Strategy Lab. She's been doing UX career coaching since 2017.Follow Sarah on: LinkedIn | YouTube | InstagramLaid off and wondering if you’ve “missed your shot”? This story will change how you think about career momentum.In this Open House conversation, Sarah sits down with Manny, a senior UX designer who transitioned into UX after a decade in graphic design and just landed a role at Fidelity. After getting laid off and spending weeks spinning his wheels, Manny joined Career Strategy Lab to bring clarity, structure, and confidence back to his job search.In this honest and insightful conversation, Manny shares what helped him rebuild momentum, how the Compass Sprint shaped everything from his resume to interviews, and why he wishes he’d joined sooner.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ How Manny landed a UX role at Fidelity after being laid off✔️ The single most valuable CSL exercise (that he didn’t expect)✔️ Why clarity leads to faster progress across your materials✔️ How the Compass Statement helped him shape his story and stand out✔️ Why applying early in your job search saves you time, money, and confidence✔️ How to make the most of CSL—whether you’re employed or notTimestamps:02:28 Meet Manny: A UX Designer's Journey03:51 Navigating Job Search Challenges06:16 The Impact of Career Strategy Lab12:27 Advice for UX Job Seekers14:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts15:07 Podcast Outro and Additional Resources15:47 Special Message for Job Seekers⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.🔔 Follow & Subscribe for weekly strategies and stories to help you grow in your UX career—without the burnout.🎬 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.👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

Feeling overwhelmed by how much UX experience you have, or unsure how to translate it in today’s UX job market? This episode is for you.In this episode, Sarah talks with Chris Griffith, a UX professional with over 30 years of experience, about what it really takes to re-enter the job market after a long stretch at one company. Chris shares how he used Career Strategy Lab to reframe his story, create momentum, and build a complete suite of job search materials—from resume to portfolio—without burning out.From tending his “career garden” to turning hikes into problem-solving sessions, Chris offers powerful reminders that progress isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention, space, and support.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ How Chris navigated a layoff after 9 years at the same company✔️ What helped him stay focused and finish his portfolio without burnout✔️ Why the LinkedIn sprint was a game-changer for getting found✔️ The mental shift that helped him stop over-explaining and start storytelling✔️ How nature and structure kept his confidence high and mindset grounded✔️ His top tip for anyone thinking about joining Career Strategy LabTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome00:16 Meet Sarah Doty: Your Career Guide00:54 Episode Overview and Open House Context01:38 Chris's UX Journey: From CD-ROMs to Career Strategy Lab04:05 Navigating Job Search Challenges06:49 The Importance of Diligence and Balance07:21 The Healing Power of Nature08:39 Career Strategy Lab Sprints: A Deep Dive11:54 Final Tips and Encouragement13:03 Conclusion and Farewell13:19 Podcast Outro and Additional Resources13:59 Special Message for Job Seekers🎯Want to learn more about the critiques, community, coaching calls, and everything inside Career Strategy Lab? Apply or learn more.⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.🎬 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.👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

Worried your career break in UX has made you unemployable? Let’s talk about what’s actually holding you back.In this episode, Sarah tackles a concern she hears constantly: “Did my career break ruin my chances of getting hired in UX?” Whether you took time off for caregiving, burnout, travel, or health, this episode will help you stop spiraling and start focusing on what really matters, your story.You’ll learn the 3 strategies every UX job seeker needs (Design, Marketing, Sales), how to tell if you’re missing one, and why the story you're telling about your break matters more than the break itself.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why your break isn’t the problem—but your story might be✔️ What “terminal uniqueness” is and how it keeps you stuck✔️ The 3-part strategy you need to get hired (and how to know what’s missing)✔️ How to shift from self-doubt to clarity in your job search✔️ Why visibility and connection matter more than perfection✔️ How to rebuild your momentum with intention—not burnoutTimestamps:00:38 The Impact of Career Breaks on UX Careers00:56 The Importance of Your Personal Story in Job Searches01:22 Addressing Career Break Concerns03:37 LinkedIn's Career Break Feature05:28 Three Essential Strategies for UX Candidates09:53 Identifying Gaps in Your Job Search Strategies12:23 Building and Leveraging Professional Relationships16:51 Final Thoughts and Workshop Invitation18:35 Conclusion and Additional Resources⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.🎬 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.👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

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 clearlyTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and Background00:38 Understanding Terminal Uniqueness03:12 Examples of Terminal Uniqueness04:50 Overcoming Terminal Uniqueness06:54 Communicating Your Unique Story08:11 Career Strategy Lab Overview14:49 Final Thoughts and Encouragement16:58 Podcast Outro and Additional Resources17:37 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👉 Join Sarah Doody's 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.