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

✨Reminder → Enrollment's open for our 3-week UX Portfolio Sprint. Doors close on March 22 or when seats are sold out! In this episode of the Career Strategy Podcast, Sarah explores a crucial aspect of the job search process: attention to detail. Drawing inspiration from a surprising source—the band Van Halen's infamous "no brown M and M's" contract clause—Sarah highlights the importance of demonstrating attentiveness in the job search. Through anecdotes and examples, she illustrates how failure to pay attention to crucial details can speak volumes to potential employers. With actionable advice and thought-provoking insights, this episode offers valuable strategies for job seekers to elevate their approach and stand out in a competitive job market. Tune in as Sarah Doody shares valuable lessons on the power of attention to detail in the job search. Timestamps 01:15 How to stand out in the job search 03:24 Testing attention to detail with Brown M and M's. 05:35 Secret words in instructions 06:09 Attention to detail is crucial in job search. 08:41 Thanks for listening, see you next time!🎬 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.

Reminder → Enrollment's open for our 3-week UX Portfolio Sprint. Doors close on March 22 or when seats are sold out! Feeling worried about explaining career breaks in your resume? You're not alone. In this episode, we debunk the myth that work history gaps are a red flag to hiring managers. With insights from LinkedIn's research, we show how normalizing these breaks is increasingly accepted. In this episode: ➡️ Discover how LinkedIn's career break feature can help you openly represent time off and translate the skills gained during your break to potential employers. ➡️ Learn why embracing your career journey, from caregiving to dealing with pandemic waves, is an asset. ➡️ Dive into why it's crucial to align with companies that value your experiences, and how to spot these opportunities. Ready to reframe your perspective and feel empowered about career breaks? Then this episode is for you. Share it with someone who might be worried about their breaks too! 00:00 Gaps in resume are not a red flag. 05:10 Value career breaks, don't hide them. 07:07 Pandemic normalized career breaks, shift mindset, share.🎬 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.

Discover the essential steps to a successful job search, from defining your career value criteria to building genuine connections. Learn how targeted communication and quality applications can open doors, and turn setbacks into growth opportunities. Find out why researching company culture is crucial, and get tips on navigating rejection with resilience. This episode provides actionable advice to keep you grounded and moving forward in your job hunt.

Today's episode of The Career Strategy Podcast delves into the topic of ghosting in the job search, shedding light on why it happens and how to cope with it.In this episode, Sarah shares a story from a restaurant manager's perspective, emphasizing that ghosting isn't a one-sided issue and is often not intentional.This episode offers practical advice, encouraging listeners not to take ghosting personally, and to take proactive steps to gather context and follow up with potential employers.00:00 Dealing with ghosting in the job search.03:49 Ghosting may not always be intentional in hiring.07:54 Follow up for information, keep it concise.12:34 Control negative thoughts, focus on what's manageable.13:45 Reframing ghosting in the job search.🎬 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.

Learn how to craft personalized and specific follow-up messages after a job interview to stand out. Discover why creative follow-ups can lead to more opportunities and improve your chances. Find out the importance of jotting down key discussion points to create impactful follow-up messages. Dive into practical strategies for boosting your interview game and making a lasting impression in a competitive job market.

Feeling stuck in your career or job search? Overwhelmed by the unknowns? This episode of The Career Strategy Podcast offers a practical tip to help you regain control and make intentional decisions. By focusing on what you can control rather than fixating on outside factors, you can move forward with clearer direction. Learn how to strategically apply to jobs, improve the quality of your application materials, and leverage your network for a competitive edge. Take charge of your attitude and choose who to listen to, minimizing information overload. 00:40 Tips to make clearer, intentional decisions in career. 04:31 Focus on what's within your control. 10:34 Balance information gathering with taking actionable steps. 11:51 Share and discuss to help get unstuck.🎬 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.

Get ready to take control of your career with a 15-minute annual review! This episode is designed to help you reflect on the past year and set intentions for the year ahead. The questions shared in the episode will guide you through a simple yet impactful review of your accomplishments and aspirations. Sarah suggests sharing this exercise with a friend for accountability and fresh perspectives. By focusing on what you did last year, what went well, what to stop and start doing, and the conclusions you reached, you'll gain clarity on your short and long-term goals. Click here to get Sarah’s annual review workshop for just $29! The episode also offers a valuable resource to dive deeper into the annual review process, providing practical tools for strategic career and life planning. Whether you're seeking career growth, work-life balance, or simply a clearer focus, this episode will equip you with actionable steps to steer your career in the right direction. Tune in to kickstart a mindful and intentional year ahead! 02:02 The 5 review questions to ask yourself this year 03:07 Reflect on past year experiences, assign emojis. 08:16 Identify valuable conclusions, visualize 2025, align decisions. 10:29 Reflect on past year to improve 2025.🎬 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.

In this episode of the Career Strategy Podcast, guest host Erin Lindstrom takes over to tackle the topic of imposter syndrome. Erin delves into the origins of imposter syndrome and acknowledges the societal constructs that have contributed to its prevalence, particularly for women and people of color. Erin provides insights into overcoming imposter syndrome from a mindset perspective and highlights the importance of building humble confidence to navigate career challenges. She offers practical advice for individuals at different career stages, such as climbers, switchers, and launchers, and emphasizes the significance of collaborative action and leveraging personal experiences. Erin invites listeners to reflect on their own confidence spectrum and challenges them to explore the boundaries of humble confidence. A message of empowerment and personal growth resonates throughout the episode, providing valuable takeaways for individuals seeking to overcome imposter syndrome in their careers. 00:00 Addressing systemic barriers to leadership, overcoming doubt. 05:19 Overcoming imposter syndrome and self doubt. 09:02 Approach with humble confidence for success. 10:51 Coping mechanisms and building humble confidence. 14:18 Free masterclass on CEO mindset shifts.🎬 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.

Sarah Doody, a UX expert and career coach, discusses building a strong UX portfolio, overcoming imposter syndrome, and positive thinking in the tech industry. They touch on decision-making, growth opportunities, remote job interviews, and the impact of social media on career strategies.

This episode originally aired on the Honest UX Talks Podcast. 🗂 instagram.com/honest_ux_talks This conversation ranges from learning how to position oneself strategically in the competitive job landscape to the art of finessing career materials such as resumes and portfolios. Sarah shares innovative strategies for treating your job hunt as you would a UX project, emphasizing tailored applications, meaningful networking, and the human touch in technology-driven processes. With real-world examples and actionable advice, Sarah addresses common pitfalls and how to craft your narrative beyond checkbox portfolios. Whether you're an aspiring designer eager to break into the industry or a seasoned pro looking to pivot your approach to job applications, today's conversation promises to arm you with the tools you need for success. Tune in as we dissect the fundamentals of creating standout UX portfolios, crafting personalized cover letters, and navigating hiring practices that truly resonate with employers in diverse industries and geography. 01:01 Accidental journey into UX careers, coaching, portfolio. 05:33 Companies hired more despite pandemic; user experience. 09:17 Post-program challenges: job search, self-marketing, competition. 13:15 Focused on career education and personal branding. 17:29 Candidates should consider opportunities beyond fang companies. 21:19 Understanding and empathy for companies in hiring. 24:39 User research portfolio: demonstrate, not just state. 27:56 Portfolio doesn't need every UX process tick. 29:10 Boot camp presentations aren't suitable for portfolios. 32:18 Apply to fewer jobs with more care. 35:21 Customize cover letter, resume, and portfolio strategically. 39:06 Personalize experiences, prioritize people over platforms. 43:03 Effective communication: question, connection, and relevance.🎬 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.