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

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 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.

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 | InstagramTired of vague AI tools that spit out generic resume rewrites and surface-level portfolio tips? Meet the smarter alternative.In this episode, Sarah shares the behind-the-scenes strategy behind Sage—the AI agent exclusively available inside Career Strategy Lab—and why it’s already helping job seekers finish their resumes, portfolios, and LinkedIn profiles faster without sacrificing clarity or confidence.You’ll learn why this tool is more than just a shortcut—it’s a UX-informed, coach-trained experience designed to get you unstuck and back into momentum, 24/7.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ The two problems most UX job seekers face: info overload + execution overwhelm✔️ Why most AI job search tools fail (and how Sage is different)✔️ How Sage is trained on CSL’s proven curriculum and thousands of real conversations✔️ Why context-specific feedback beats ChatGPT every time✔️ How CSL members are using Sage to move faster and stop second-guessing✔️ The one mindset shift that will help you use AI effectively in your careerTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and Common Job Search Struggles00:46 Introducing Career Strategy Lab's AI Tools02:01 Why UX Professionals Struggle in Job Searches02:39 The Problems Our AI Tools Aim to Solve06:53 How Our AI Tools Work13:58 Demo of Sage, Our AI Agent27:51 Benefits of Using Sage29:36 Conclusion and Call to Action🎯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.🔔 Follow & Subscribe for weekly strategies and stories to help you grow in your UX career—without the burnout.🎬 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.

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 | InstagramFeel like you’re doing everything “right” and still not getting anywhere? You might be saying yes to too much—and it’s slowing you down.In this episode, Sarah shares how one of Steve Jobs’ greatest strengths—his ability to say no—has shaped the design of Career Strategy Lab and her own career choices. You’ll hear how saying no to shiny objects, distractions, and opportunities that seem exciting on the surface actually leads to deeper results, more momentum, and a better UX for job seekers inside CSL.Whether you’re applying to every job that pops up, overcommitting to upskilling, or trying to be everything to everyone, this episode is a reminder that focus is a strategy—and saying no is a skill.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ What Steve Jobs’ product philosophy can teach you about your UX career✔️ How Sarah decides what to say no to in her business—and why it matters✔️ Why not doing “all the things” actually creates better outcomes for clients✔️ The trade-offs you’re making every time you say yes✔️ How saying no led to CSL’s newest AI tool + all-in-one experience✔️ 3 reflection questions to help you narrow your focus and move forwardTimestamps:01:50 Steve Jobs' Focus Strategy03:55 Applying Focus in My Career08:01 The Importance of Specialization11:47 Real-Life Examples of Saying No13:28 The Ripple Effect of Focus17:50 Final Thoughts and Career Advice20:07 Conclusion and How to Connect⭐ 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 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.

Feel like your UX experience is too complex to explain—or too chaotic to package into a clear story? In this open house interview, Steve Sanshwe shares how he went from a chaotic job search and overwhelming case studies to landing a Principal Product Designer role—faster than he expected and at a higher level than he applied for.Steve explains how he used the Career Strategy Lab to reframe his experience, clarify his story, and attract the right roles (without redesigning his resume 10 times or burning out in the process). Whether you’re drowning in too much experience or unsure how to stand out, Steve’s journey offers practical takeaways and proof that progress—not perfection—is what moves the needle.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why Steve finally stopped rewriting the same case study and joined CSL✔️ The mindset shift that helped him clarify his story and build confidence✔️ How reframing your portfolio can attract better-fit opportunities✔️ Why he landed a higher-level role than he applied for✔️ How he used his Compass Statement to own the interview✔️ Why saying “no” to the wrong roles helped him find the right one—fastTimestamps:01:00 Episode Context and Audience02:09 Steve's Career Journey and UX Experience05:26 The Impact of Career Strategy Lab11:32 Iterative Process and Sprints16:52 Final Tips and Conclusion19:02 Closing Remarks and Podcast Information⭐ 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 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.

What does your UX job search have in common with Peloton? A lot more than you think. In this episode, Sarah shares the behind-the-scenes story of how a treadmill class in NYC and a Peloton bike helped her design Career Strategy Lab. You’ll learn how the principles of group fitness at scale inspired the structure, energy, and effectiveness of this UX job search accelerator—and how applying those same principles to your career can help you get out of your own head, stop procrastinating, and finally make progress.What You'll Learn in This Episode:✔️ The UX behind Sarah’s early inspiration for Career Strategy Lab✔️ How “perceived effort” can help job seekers at every level thrive in the same space✔️ Why group coaching helps beat procrastination and self-doubt✔️ What Peloton and portfolio reviews have in common (hint: shared energy)✔️ The power of community, cognitive offloading, and normalization in your job search✔️ Why DIYing your career might be the thing keeping you stuckTimestamps:00:56 The Inspiration Behind Career Strategy Lab01:29 The Concept of Group Fitness at Scale04:51 Applying Group Fitness Principles to Career Coaching06:50 Benefits of Group Coaching10:20 Normalization in Group Settings13:40 Cognitive Offloading in Group Coaching16:10 Community, Accountability, and Belonging17:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts23:32 Call to Action and Additional Resources24:47 Encouragement for Job SeekersApplied 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.⭐ 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 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.

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 | InstagramNancy Leslie has over 30 years of UX experience—and yet, before joining Career Strategy Lab, she felt irrelevant, overlooked, and unsure of how to position herself in today’s market. In this honest and uplifting open house conversation, Nancy shares how she moved from self-doubt to spaciousness, and why she finally feels like herself again—professionally and personally.Whether you're later in your career or just feeling disconnected from your value, Nancy’s story will remind you that it’s never too late to rewrite your narrative and re-energize your future.What You'll Learn This Episode:✔️ Why years of experience can make job searching harder, not easier✔️ The emotional toll of being a runner-up again and again✔️ How Nancy reframed “aged out” into “experienced pioneer”✔️ The surprising career impact of mindset and community✔️ Why CSL didn’t box her in—but actually set her free✔️ How showing up, experimenting, and getting feedback changed everythingTimestamps:00:58 Episode Overview and Special Format01:42 Introducing Nancy: A UX Veteran02:10 Nancy's Journey in UX03:16 The Impact of Career Strategy Lab04:47 Mindset Shifts and Career Growth12:04 The Role of Community and Coaching15:56 Final Thoughts and Advice17:20 Conclusion and Podcast Outro18:04 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 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.

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 | InstagramStill stuck in job search mode even though you’re “doing all the right things”? This episode might explain why.What if the problem isn’t how hard you’re working—but what you’re working on?In this episode, Sarah unpacks one of the most powerful mindset shifts you can make in your career: moving from working in your career (busywork, perfectionism, burnout) to working on it (strategy, clarity, confidence). Drawing from her own business experience and the journeys of UX professionals she’s coached, Sarah shows you how to stop spinning your wheels and start making high-leverage decisions that move your career forward.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️The difference between working in vs. on your career or job search✔️ Why busy doesn’t equal progress—and what to do instead✔️ The costly habits that keep you stuck (like redesigning your resume for the 10th time)✔️ How to zoom out and make more strategic, long-term career decisions✔️ What cupcake bakers, physical therapists, and UX designers have in common✔️ 3 reflection questions to help you shift into CEO mode for your careerTimestamps:00:00 Introduction: Troubleshooting Formulas and Business Insights01:47 Starting My First Business: The Journey Begins02:13 The Importance of Working On Your Business03:22 Examples of Working In vs. On Your Business09:40 Applying Business Strategies to Your Career17:43 Actionable Tips for Career Growth21:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts🔍 Mid-Year UX Career Audit – Free Live WorkshopFeeling scattered or stuck in your UX career? Join Sarah Doody for a free, live UX Career Audit Workshop to help you pause, reflect, and plan your next move with intention.✔️ Why you need to audit your career like a product roadmap✔️ How to identify what’s working (and what’s not)✔️ Why you need Career Performance Indicators (CPIs)🎯 Register here → maven.com/sarahdoody🗺️ Free UX Career RoadmapNot sure what stage you're in—or what to focus on next in your UX career?Download Sarah Doody’s free UX Career Roadmap to get clarity on where you are and what matters most right now, whether you're job searching, pivoting, or planning ahead.✔️ Identify your current stage in the UX career journey✔️ Prioritize what to work on (and what to ignore)✔️ Avoid wasting time on the wrong things🎯 Download the roadmap → Here⭐ 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 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.

After being laid off from his UX position, Duncan Abel wasn’t sure how to package his 20+ years of UX experience—or if he even wanted to stay in the field. In this candid conversation, Duncan shares how Career Strategy Lab gave him the structure, community, and confidence to move forward and land a global UX leadership role at the British Standards Institute.Whether you're a senior leader navigating change or just unsure how to communicate your value, Duncan’s story will inspire you to stop doubting your experience and start owning your career path.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why being experienced doesn’t always make job searching easier✔️ How Duncan rebuilt his confidence after a layoff✔️ The surprising value of self-reflection in a job search✔️ What made interviews feel radically different this time✔️ Why your “mentor model” and “compass statement” matter more than you think✔️ How Career Strategy Lab helped him clarify, focus, and land a high-level roleTimestamps:00:00 Introduction to Career Strategy Podcast00:40 Meet Duncan Abel: Career Journey and Challenges04:29 The Impact of Career Strategy Lab10:30 Mentorship and Career Roadmap Insights14:09 Global Relevance of Career Strategy Lab16:45 Final Advice and Encouragement19:58 Conclusion and Social Media Call-to-ActionApplied 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.⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.🎬 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.

In this special “coaches takeover” episode, Career Strategy Lab coaches Erin, Steph, and Becca go behind the scenes to talk candidly about what actually happens inside Career Strategy Lab. From client wins and transformations to what makes CSL different from other career programs, you’ll hear their real talk on what works, who thrives, and why this job search container is unlike anything else.Whether you're skeptical of coaching, burnt out from DIYing your job search, or just curious about how CSL works, this episode gives you an inside look from the people who live and breathe it every day.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ What makes CSL truly different (hint: it’s not just the curriculum)✔️ The #1 thing clients think is their problem—and what it actually is✔️ What happens when people stop doom-scrolling and start taking action✔️ The unexpected power of community, mindset support, and critique feedback✔️ How CSL helps you tell a better story—not just land a job✔️ Why the coaches choose to stay (and why that matters)Timestamps:00:53 Meet the Coaches: Erin, Steph, and Becca01:25 First Impressions of Sarah Duty05:05 What Sarah Gets Right in Career Coaching09:47 Behind the Scenes of Career Strategy Lab15:14 Client Success Stories and Transformations17:32 Why We Choose to Stay with CSL24:33 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsApplied 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 | Instagram🎬 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.

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 | InstagramIn this special solo episode, Sarah Doody shares the real story behind her first UX portfolio—and the costly mistakes she made that kept her stuck in interview limbo. From printing screenshots into a binder to learning how to treat her portfolio like a product, Sarah walks you through what finally changed the game and led to job offers, consulting gigs, and even interviews at Google.This episode isn’t just a walk down memory lane—it’s a powerful reminder that timeless UX principles always outperform trends, and that your portfolio is more than a set of case studies—it’s your career’s most important product.Whether you're reworking your portfolio, struggling to get offers, or feeling burnt out by conflicting advice, this episode will give you clarity, focus, and a fresh way forward.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why Sarah's first UX portfolio got interviews—but not offers✔️ The mistake that kept her stuck (and how she fixed it with UX strategy)✔️ Why your portfolio isn’t just a website—it’s a storytelling tool✔️ The five most common portfolio mistakes—and how to avoid them✔️ Why timeless principles beat trendy templates or AI-generated case studies✔️ How Sarah’s 2006 portfolio framework still helps people get hired todayTimestamps:00:15 Sarah Doody's Career Journey00:57 Struggles and Strategies in UX Job Search01:26 Transforming the Portfolio01:57 Early Career and Freelance Work04:11 Portfolio Evolution and Lessons Learned06:36 Modern Portfolio Strategies13:35 The Importance of Timeless Principles20:04 Common Portfolio Mistakes24:55 Final Thoughts⭐ 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 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.