105: How a UX Specialist With 20+ Years Experience Got Hired After A Layoff With Only 1 Project In His UX Portfolio

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

#Careers #Business #Sarah Doody #Arts #Graphic Design #Job Search

22:42

Bob Stobener , a seasoned leader celebrated for his adept communication skills, has a unique perspective on improving communication as a means to foster understanding and collaboration. Drawing from his creative background in cartooning and strategic advertising at a successful comedy club, Stobener believes that effective communication is essential not only for resolving conflicts but also for enhancing personal and professional growth. He emphasizes the importance of listening and forming genuine connections, demonstrating how these practices can lead to positive outcomes, as seen in his ability to guide team members toward fulfilling career paths. By advocating for open and honest dialogue, Stobener illustrates how strong communication skills can support individual success and organizational excellence across various industries. (00:01:52) Communication Skills: Comedy Club to Corporate Success (00:14:21) Transparent Interactions: The Foundation of Leadership Success (00:14:21) Transformative Impact of Transparent Leadership Communication (00:19:41) Mastering Communication Skills for Multifaceted Success Hosted by Larry Wilson Produced by: Verbal Ninja Productions Producer: R. Scott Edwards Sponsored by: The Wilson Method **Check out NEW upgraded website with FREE offer !! Visit: https://theWilsonMethod.com Link: TheWilsonMethod.com…

il y a un an 20:59

MP3•Maison d'episode

In this episode of the Career Strategy Podcast, host Sarah Doody dives into the transformative journey of Leon, a Career Strategy Lab (CSL) participant who navigated the ux jobs search after an unexpected layoff. Leon shares insights into how creating a career roadmap, leveraging a standout resume and portfolio, and embracing community support helped him secure a role in UX design at a government contractor. Sarah and Leon discuss actionable strategies, including the importance of aligning your job search with a clear vision, the value of mindset work, and breaking the myth of needing multiple projects in your portfolio.

Timestamps

01:01 Meet the Coaches

01:12 Open House Insights

03:14 Career Roadmap Creation

06:43 The Importance of Community

09:31 Tactical Resume and Portfolio Tips

16:33 Navigating the Job Market

20:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How a career roadmap can serve as your "North Star" in the job search.
The impact of combining tactical elements (resume, portfolio) with mindset and confidence-building.
Why one excellent portfolio project can trump multiple mediocre ones.
The importance of persistence and deliberate job applications.
How community support and structure can keep you motivated during challenging times.

Key Takeaways:

Focus on Vision: Start with a career roadmap to clarify your direction before tackling resumes or LinkedIn profiles.
Quality Over Quantity: A single well-crafted portfolio project can land you your dream job if it clearly highlights your skills and fit.
Stay Structured: Treat your job search like a job or school to maintain routine and productivity.
No Shortcuts: Success comes from following proven, structured approaches rather than chasing hacks.
Community Counts: Sharing struggles and wins within a supportive group builds confidence and accountability.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Career Strategy Lab – Learn more about Sarah’s program that helps professionals level up their job search.

Share Your Feedback:

Did this episode resonate with you? Tag Sarah on social media or email at hello@sarahdoody.com. If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to rate us on Spotify or review us on Apple Podcasts.

🎬 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.

💬 Did this episode resonate with you? Tag Sarah on social media and share your biggest takeaway!

123 episodes

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

105: How a UX Specialist With 20+ Years Experience Got Hired After A Layoff With Only 1 Project In His UX Portfolio

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

published il y a un an

MP3•Maison d'episode

Timestamps

01:01 Meet the Coaches

01:12 Open House Insights

03:14 Career Roadmap Creation

06:43 The Importance of Community

09:31 Tactical Resume and Portfolio Tips

16:33 Navigating the Job Market

20:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How a career roadmap can serve as your "North Star" in the job search.
The impact of combining tactical elements (resume, portfolio) with mindset and confidence-building.
Why one excellent portfolio project can trump multiple mediocre ones.
The importance of persistence and deliberate job applications.
How community support and structure can keep you motivated during challenging times.

Key Takeaways:

Focus on Vision: Start with a career roadmap to clarify your direction before tackling resumes or LinkedIn profiles.
Quality Over Quantity: A single well-crafted portfolio project can land you your dream job if it clearly highlights your skills and fit.
Stay Structured: Treat your job search like a job or school to maintain routine and productivity.
No Shortcuts: Success comes from following proven, structured approaches rather than chasing hacks.
Community Counts: Sharing struggles and wins within a supportive group builds confidence and accountability.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Career Strategy Lab – Learn more about Sarah’s program that helps professionals level up their job search.

Share Your Feedback:

Did this episode resonate with you? Tag Sarah on social media or email at hello@sarahdoody.com. If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to rate us on Spotify or review us on Apple Podcasts.

🎬 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.

💬 Did this episode resonate with you? Tag Sarah on social media and share your biggest takeaway!

123 episodes

#Careers #Business #Sarah Doody #Arts #Graphic Design #Job Search

كل الحلقات

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

1
114: From Laid Off to Senior UX Designer: How Sarah Landed Her Dream Role 21:41

il y a 2 hours21:41

21:41

In this special Open House episode, Sarah Doody sits down with Career Strategy Lab (CSL) alum Sarah Page to discuss her journey navigating the UX job market. From being laid off as a creative director to landing a Senior UX Designer role in health tech, Sarah shares the mindset shifts, job search strategies, and portfolio insights that helped her stand out. She also reveals the unexpected format of her interviews, how she positioned her diverse experience to appeal to hiring managers, and why letting go of what’s out of your control is a game-changer in your job search. If you’re struggling with rejection, resume gaps, or feeling “overqualified” and “underqualified” at the same time—this episode is for you! What You’ll Learn: ✅ Why job rejections often have nothing to do with you (and how to move forward) ✅ The power of a well-structured portfolio —and why Figma slides worked better than a website ✅ How to confidently position diverse experience (even across industries!) ✅ The mental shift that helped Sarah stay motivated through uncertainty ✅ How social proof (from hiring managers, peers, and CSL feedback) builds confidence ✅ The real role of interviews (hint: sometimes it’s just a vibe check!) ✅ Why finding the right company fit matters more than tweaking your resume endlessly ✅ How Sarah strategically approached salary negotiation and total compensation Timestamps 01:50 Open House Overview 03:22 Success Stories and Strategies 05:47 Navigating the Job Market 09:15 Interview Experiences 13:45 Negotiating Job Offers 17:08 Advice for Job Seekers 20:45 Conclusion and Farewell 🎬 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 . 💬 Did this episode resonate with you? Tag Sarah on social media and share your biggest takeaway!…

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

1
113: How a Senior Product Designer got promoted with a 37% increase in total compensation 12:06

il y a environ 7 jours12:06

12:06

Promotions don’t just happen—you have to advocate for yourself! In this episode, Sarah breaks down the inspiring story of Marco, a Senior Product Designer who secured a 37% increase in total compensation by leveraging his annual review process, gathering compelling evidence, and using the tools from Career Strategy Lab to make his case. If you’ve ever wondered how to position yourself for a promotion, this episode is a must-listen. Sarah walks through Marco’s exact strategy, from recognizing his value to structuring his performance review, so you can apply the same tactics in your own career. What You’ll Learn: Why promotions don’t happen by chance—you have to make the case for yourself. How Marco used UX case studies from Career Strategy Lab to showcase his impact. The importance of peer reviews and selecting the right colleagues to vouch for you. How to prepare for performance review season all year round—not just weeks before. Why documenting your achievements is crucial for both promotions and job searches. Links & Resources: Join Career Strategy Lab to fast-track your job search or promotion If this episode resonated with you, tag Sarah on social media or leave a quick review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! 🎧 Listen now and start setting yourself up for your next promotion! Timestamps 00:38 The Importance of Strategy in Career Growth 01:02 Case Study: Marco's Journey to Promotion 02:02 Marco's Strategy: Leveraging Career Strategy Lab 04:15 Steps Marco Took to Secure His Promotion 07:54 Key Takeaways: How to Advocate for Yourself 10:28 Final Thoughts and Encouragement 11:36 Conclusion: Stay Connected and Share Your Thoughts 🎬 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 . 💬 Did this episode resonate with you? Tag Sarah on social media and share your biggest takeaway!…

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

1
112: How Emily tripled her UX freelance rate from $35 to $125 / hour (and got a full time job too) 14:43

il y a environ 14 jours14:43

14:43

In this episode of the Career Strategy Podcast , Sarah Doody breaks down the key steps to getting hired—whether for a full-time job or a freelance contract. Through the story of Emily, a former fashion and beauty marketer turned UX writer, Sarah illustrates how refining your resume, portfolio, and LinkedIn profile can dramatically increase your opportunities and earning potential. Emily’s journey highlights the power of strategic career marketing—starting with a $35/hour contract, she grew her rate to $125/hour in under six months. Sarah shares actionable insights on how you can position yourself as the ideal candidate, attract job offers and freelance clients, and confidently communicate your value to decision-makers. Key Takeaways Why the hiring process for full-time and freelance work follows the same fundamental principles. How Emily used Career Strategy Lab to refine her portfolio, LinkedIn, and resume—unlocking new career opportunities. The importance of treating every professional interaction as a potential interview. How to iterate on your resume, portfolio, and LinkedIn profile based on feedback. Why contract work can be a stepping stone to full-time roles (or a lucrative career path on its own). How Career Strategy Lab can help accelerate your job search—and even count as a tax-deductible expense for freelancers. Time Stamps 00:00 Introduction to Career Strategy 01:01 Meet Emily: A UX Writing Success Story 02:34 Emily's Journey to Freelance Success 05:23 The Financial Upside of Freelancing 08:21 Key Lessons from Emily's Experience 11:55 Final Tips and Conclusion 14:12 Wrap-Up and Contact Information 🎬 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 . 💬 Did this episode resonate with you? Tag Sarah on social media and share your biggest takeaway!…

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

1
111: Hidden costs of navigating your UX job search alone 31:06

il y a environ 21 jours31:06

31:06

In this episode of the Career Strategy Podcast,, Sarah dives into the hidden costs of navigating your job search alone and why a DIY approach may be holding you back. Many job seekers spend months stuck in a cycle of applying, tweaking resumes, and feeling frustrated—without realizing they’re wasting valuable time, missing opportunities, and facing an unnecessary emotional toll. Sarah breaks down why job searching requires strategy, positioning, and persistence —not just endless applications. She also shares what successful job seekers do differently , including treating their job search like a UX project, getting strategic with LinkedIn, and investing in the right tools and guidance to accelerate results. If you’re tired of going in circles and want to land a job faster and smarter , this episode is for you! What You’ll Learn: ✅ The #1 hidden cost of a DIY job search (hint: it’s not just time wasted) ✅ Why “busy work” like tweaking your resume daily doesn’t move the needle ✅ How to spot FSP activities (False Sense of Progress) and focus on what works ✅ The missed opportunities that cost you job leads and interviews ✅ The mental and emotional toll of job searching alone—and how to fix it ✅ How to structure your job search like a UX project to get hired faster ✅ The biggest mistakes job seekers make on LinkedIn (and what to do instead) ✅ Why successful job seekers seek feedback early and often Resources & Links Mentioned: 📌 How to Post Strategically on LinkedIn (Podcast 📌 Steven’s Success Story – How He Landed a UX Research Role 📌 Join Career Strategy Lab & Get Expert Guidance Timestamps: 00:21 Welcome to the Career Strategy Podcast 01:04 The Hidden Costs of Navigating Your Job Search Alone 02:47 The Real Impact of a DIY Job Search 03:18 Time: The Most Expensive Hidden Cost 05:59 Missed Opportunities in Your Job Search 09:58 Mental and Emotional Toll of a DIY Job Search 13:59 What Successful Job Seekers Do Differently 14:12 Treating Your Job Search Like a UX Project 16:08 Understanding the Users of Your Job Search 18:35 Learning from Proven Tools and Guidance 20:41 Creating Structure and Accountability 25:21 Breaking Free from the DIY Approach 27:42 Conclusion: Reflecting on Your Job Search Approach 29:05 Career Strategy Lab: Your Next Step 30:29 Final Thoughts and Farewell Take Action: 🚀 If you’ve been stuck in your job search, don’t DIY it anymore! Career Strategy Lab provides the coaching, curriculum, critiques, and community to help you land a role faster —and potentially with a five-figure salary increase. 🎯 Visit careerstrategylab.com to apply today! 🎬 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 . 💬 Did this episode resonate with you? Tag Sarah on social media and share your biggest takeaway!…

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

1
110: How Jane Got Hired As A Principal Product Researcher After Emigrating To The USA With No Professional Network 21:34

il y a environ 28 jours21:34

21:34

In this episode, we’re taking you inside a Career Strategy Lab Open House, where we chat with Jane, a UX researcher who landed a Principal UX Researcher role at Whole Foods—despite having no prior U.S. work experience or connections! Jane’s story is an incredible example of what’s possible when you shift from a scarcity mindset to a strategic approach in your job search. 🔹 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔️ Why treating your career like a product roadmap leads to better opportunities ✔️ How Jane overcame imposter syndrome and job search doubts ✔️ The biggest mistakes she made before joining Career Strategy Lab ✔️ The power of clarity in choosing the right roles and companies ✔️ How she landed a job above the level she applied for ✔️ Why negotiation isn’t just about salary—it’s about strategy Whether you're feeling stuck in your job search or just need some motivation, Jane’s experience will inspire you to take action and own your career strategy . ✨ Considering Career Strategy Lab? Jane shares why she believes it’s a priceless investment in your future. 🎧 Tune in now and get ready to rethink how you approach your job search! 🎬 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 . 💬 Did this episode resonate with you? Tag Sarah on social media and share your biggest takeaway!…

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

1
109: How cohorts can hold you back and why Career Strategy Lab takes a different approach 20:27

il y a 5 weeks20:27

20:27

Many career coaching programs use cohort-based models to keep participants accountable. But do they really work? In today’s episode, we’re tackling a common question: Is Career Strategy Lab’s UX Job Search Accelerator run in cohorts? Spoiler alert—it's not! And there’s a very good reason why. Host Sarah Doody breaks down why strict cohort schedules can be limiting, how Career Strategy Lab takes a different approach, and why focusing on outcomes over rigid timelines creates a better job search experience. Whether you’re treating your job search like a full-time job or balancing it alongside a 9-to-5, this episode will help you stay accountable without the stress of falling behind. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why traditional cohort-based courses can actually slow you down or leave you behind. ✅ How Career Strategy Lab builds daily and weekly habits to keep you accountable. ✅ The power of sprint check-ins, deadlines, and structured flexibility for job seekers. ✅ Why focusing on outcomes over schedules is key to success. ✅ The "Three E’s" method: Execute, Engage, Encourage —and how it keeps you on track. Links & Resources: 🔗 Learn more & apply: careerstrategylab.com/apply 📩 Questions? Send a message on LinkedIn to Sarah Doody 🎬 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 . 💬 Did this episode resonate with you? Tag Sarah on social media and share your biggest takeaway!…

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

1
108: Why you're stuck redesigning your UX resume & how to get out of a career rut 24:24

il y a 6 weeks24:24

24:24

If you’ve been stuck in an endless cycle of tweaking, redesigning, and overanalyzing your UX resume, this episode is for you. Sarah breaks down why perfectionism keeps you from landing interviews, how to shift your mindset, and what you should focus on instead. She also shares why conflicting resume advice from too many sources slows you down and how Career Strategy Lab can help you streamline your job search with a clear, strategic approach. Plus, Sarah announces the 1-Week Resume Sprint happening February 10-14, 2025 , where you’ll create a recruiter-ready, ATS-optimized resume in just five days. Save 35% with the code RESUMELASTCALL. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why endlessly tweaking your resume is delaying your job search ✅ The dangers of Frankensteining feedback from multiple sources ✅ How to create a minimum viable resume and start applying now ✅ The biggest resume myths that might be holding you back ✅ Why clarity in your resume, LinkedIn, and portfolio is crucial for landing interviews ✅ How Career Strategy Lab can help you build a job search strategy that works Join the 1-Week Resume Sprint (Feb 10-14, 2025): If you’re ready to stop overthinking your resume and start getting interviews, join Sarah for a 5-day Resume Sprint inside Career Strategy Lab. You’ll get step-by-step lessons, feedback, and expert guidance to create a recruiter-friendly resume that actually works. 👉 Sign up now at careerstrategylab.com/maven Timestamps: 01:08 The Resume Sprint Announcement 02:45 The Resume Rut: Why Perfection is the Enemy 04:09 Breaking Down the Resume Rut 09:20 The Importance of a Clear Career Strategy 12:07 How Career Strategy Lab Can Help 15:53 Community Support and Feedback 20:32 Conclusion: Get Out of the Resume Rut Resources & Links: 🔹 Sign up for the 1-Week Resume Sprint 🔹 Related Episode: Why One-Page Resumes Are Overrated 🔹 Learn more about Career Strategy Lab → careerstrategylab.com 🎬 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 . 💬 Did this episode resonate with you? Tag Sarah on social media and share your biggest takeaway!…

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

1
107: Your UX Career Is a Product (Sarah Doody's interview on the Awkward Silences podcast by User Interviews) 50:34

il y a 6 weeks50:34

50:34

This episode of the Career Strategy Podcast features Sarah's interview on the Awkward Silences Podcast by User Interviews . In this episode, Sarah Doody is interviewed by Erin May, the CMO of User Interviews, and John-Henry Forster, who at the time of recording was the SVP of Product at User Interviews. Join them as they dive deep into treating your UX research career like a product and the pivotal strategies to become a UX research manager. 🧠 6 Key takeaways 1) Treating Your Career as a Product Your career should be managed like a product, focusing on continuous improvement, setting goals, and building a road map. Consider the skills, experiences, and networks you want to develop for your future roles. 2) Creating a Career Road Map Just like products have roadmaps, your career should have one too. Create a timeline of your career, noting your happiness, satisfaction, work-life balance, and other personal values. 3) Do some UX Research on Yourself Conduct a self-assessment to map out where you’ve been in your career. Seek feedback from past colleagues to identify your strengths and areas of improvement. 4) Minimum Viable Resume and Portfolio Focus on creating a "minimum viable" resume and portfolio to quickly test their effectiveness. This involves starting with a good enough version to see if it generates interviews, and then iterating based on feedback. 5) Relevance in Applications Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight experiences and skills relevant to the job you’re applying for. Avoid creating generic applications that don’t adequately showcase your suitability for the role. 6) Job Market Insights Despite recent layoffs in tech companies, the long-term demand for UX roles is expected to grow as businesses continue to prioritize digital transformation. ⏰ Timestamps Discussing treating your career like a product: 00:00:59 Identifying the importance of creating a career road map: 00:04:35 How to do user research on yourself: 00:07:23 Creating a minimum viable resume and portfolio: 00:16:21 Insights on the current job market: 00:10:45 Treating your application strategy as a marketing effort: 00:04:23 The importance of having questions for your potential employer: 00:38:35 Statements on learning vs. earning: 00:44:00 Parting advice for listeners: 00:48:43 🎬 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 . 💬 Did this episode resonate with you? Tag Sarah on social media and share your biggest takeaway!…

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

1
NOW OPEN: We have 20 spots in our UX Job Search Accelerator (doors close Jan 31 at 8pm PT) 11:29

il y a 7 weeks11:29

11:29

This is a reminder that enrollment opens TODAY (Jan 29) at 4pm ET Career Strategy Lab's 3-month UX Job Search Accelerator. Here is the page to learn more or join: www.careerstrategylab.com/sprint ... enrollment will close on Fri, Jan 31 at 8pm PT. Career Strategy Lab helps you optimize and finish your resume, portfolio, LinkedIn, etc and position yourself for a 5-figure salary increase, just like these people did: A Senior UX Researcher from Denver got hired at an insurance company with a salary increase of $15,000 A UX Designer from Washington DC got hired at a digital strategy company with a salary increase of $25,000 A Senior UX Researcher from San Francisco got hired at a real estate company with a salary increase of $75,000 A Senior Product Designer from Seattle got hired at an e-commerce company with a salary increase of $19,000 Career Strategy Lab is the ONLY program that addresses everything in the UX job search and helps you look at it holistically ... so you can stop having one-off calls, getting conflicting advice on Reddit and LinkedIn, and finally stop the second-guessing that's caused you to re-do your resume, portfolio, etc 15 times (or more?!) Here is the page to learn more or join: www.careerstrategylab.com/sprint ... enrollment will close on Fri, Jan 31 at 8pm PT. Questions? Send me a DM on LinkedIn or email me at hello@sarahdoody.com 🎬 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 . 💬 Did this episode resonate with you? Tag Sarah on social media and share your biggest takeaway!…

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

1
106: How Steven Navigated ADD In His UX Job Search & Got Hired As a Design Researcher 19:21

il y a 7 weeks19:21

19:21

In this inspiring episode of the Career Strategy Podcast , Sarah sits down with Steven, a Career Strategy Lab (CSL) alum who transitioned from uncertainty to launching his own UX research agency. Steven reflects on his journey, from overcoming self-doubt as a career switcher to building confidence, leveraging mentorship, and creating a sustainable business model. Sarah and Steven explore the role of community, structured career tools, and storytelling in navigating the job search and scaling an agency. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How to balance career switching and climbing in your professional narrative. The power of mentorship and community in building confidence and finding opportunities. How CSL’s structured resources and critiques accelerate career progress. Tips for marketing and storytelling as a freelancer or agency owner. Why action, not perfection, is key to career success. Key Takeaways: Mentorship Creates Opportunities: Proactively seeking mentorship can open doors to projects and collaborations you may not have anticipated. Community Matters: A supportive environment accelerates learning, boosts confidence, and helps you see new possibilities for growth. Storytelling Sells: Strong communication and storytelling skills, honed through CSL, are vital for job seekers and agency owners alike. Action Over Perfection: A bias toward action—leveraging critiques and taking small steps—yields measurable results in the job market and beyond. Structure is Transformational: Tools like the career roadmap and portfolio critiques help organize thoughts and focus efforts for maximum impact. Timestamps 00:30 Meet Your Hosts 01:08 Episode Overview and Audience Context 02:03 Steven's Career Journey 02:55 Navigating Career Challenges 07:57 Building Confidence and Community 12:30 Applying Career Strategy to Business 16:19 Final Thoughts and Advice 18:50 Conclusion and Farewell Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Career Strategy Lab – Transform your job search with step-by-step support and actionable insights. Connect with Sarah: LinkedIn , Instagram , Twitter . Share Your Feedback: Did you enjoy this episode? Let Sarah know! Email her at hello@sarahdoody.com or tag her on social media. Don’t forget to rate us on Spotify or review us on Apple Podcasts if you found this episode helpful. 🎬 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 . 💬 Did this episode resonate with you? Tag Sarah on social media and share your biggest takeaway!…

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

1
105: How a UX Specialist With 20+ Years Experience Got Hired After A Layoff With Only 1 Project In His UX Portfolio 20:59

il y a 8 weeks20:59

20:59

In this episode of the Career Strategy Podcast , host Sarah Doody dives into the transformative journey of Leon, a Career Strategy Lab (CSL) participant who navigated the ux jobs search after an unexpected layoff. Leon shares insights into how creating a c areer roadmap , leveraging a standout resume and portfolio, and embracing community support helped him secure a role in UX design at a government contractor. Sarah and Leon discuss actionable strategies, including the importance of aligning your job search with a clear vision, the value of mindset work, and breaking the myth of needing multiple projects in your portfolio. Timestamps 01:01 Meet the Coaches 01:12 Open House Insights 03:14 Career Roadmap Creation 06:43 The Importance of Community 09:31 Tactical Resume and Portfolio Tips 16:33 Navigating the Job Market 20:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How a career roadmap can serve as your "North Star" in the job search. The impact of combining tactical elements (resume, portfolio) with mindset and confidence-building. Why one excellent portfolio project can trump multiple mediocre ones. The importance of persistence and deliberate job applications. How community support and structure can keep you motivated during challenging times. Key Takeaways: Focus on Vision: Start with a career roadmap to clarify your direction before tackling resumes or LinkedIn profiles. Quality Over Quantity: A single well-crafted portfolio project can land you your dream job if it clearly highlights your skills and fit. Stay Structured: Treat your job search like a job or school to maintain routine and productivity. No Shortcuts: Success comes from following proven, structured approaches rather than chasing hacks. Community Counts: Sharing struggles and wins within a supportive group builds confidence and accountability. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Career Strategy Lab – Learn more about Sarah’s program that helps professionals level up their job search. Share Your Feedback: Did this episode resonate with you? Tag Sarah on social media or email at hello@sarahdoody.com. If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to rate us on Spotify or review us on Apple Podcasts. 🎬 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 . 💬 Did this episode resonate with you? Tag Sarah on social media and share your biggest takeaway!…

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

1
104: Your UX portfolio isn't about selling the product you worked on, it's about selling YOU 11:38

il y a 9 weeks11:38

11:38

In this episode, Sarah Doody delivers a hot take on a common mistake in UX portfolios: focusing too much on showcasing the product and not enough on showcasing the designer . Drawing on her experience reviewing thousands of portfolios since 2017, Sarah explains why it's critical to highlight your decision-making process, iterations, and problem-solving skills to stand out to recruiters and hiring managers. Timestamps 00:44 Understanding the Recruiter's Perspective 02:41 Key Elements to Highlight in Your Portfolio 03:00 Showcasing Your Decision-Making Process 03:49 The Importance of Iteration and Trade-offs 06:42 Collaboration and Learning from Projects 08:40 Conclusion and Additional Resources Key Takeaways: Sell Yourself, Not Just the Product Your portfolio should showcase how you think, not just the shiny end results. Recruiters and hiring managers are the users of your portfolio, and their needs differ from internal stakeholders. Common Portfolio Pitfalls Reusing slides and presentations designed for team meetings or stakeholder updates. Treating your portfolio like an investor pitch deck, focusing on visuals rather than process. What Recruiters and Hiring Managers Want to See: Decision-Making Process: Explain why you chose specific methods or solutions. Iterations and Evolution: Show how your designs evolved and improved. Trade-offs: Highlight how you handled constraints like budget, time, or team capacity. Challenges: Share how you navigated setbacks or unexpected problems. Collaboration: Demonstrate how you worked with peers or across departments. Lessons Learned: Reflect on what you gained from the project and how it informs your future work. Reframe Your Portfolio: Treat it as a showcase of your thinking and not just your output. Avoid the temptation to make it a "Shark Tank" pitch for your project. Resources Mentioned: E91: No, you don’t need 3-5 projects in your UX Potfolio to apply for a job E85: Q&A about UX portfolio formats, case studies, tailoring your portfolio, & more E60: Create a portfolio that stands out by focusing on your benefits, not features as a candidate Blog: 8 UX Portfolio Website Mistakes To Avoid Career Strategy Lab : A 3-month UX career coaching program to help mid and senior-level professionals navigate their job search and secure roles with five-figure salary increases. Connect with Sarah: Instagram , YouTube , LinkedIn : @SarahDoody Enjoyed the Episode? Share it with a friend or colleague! Rate us on Spotify or review us on Apple Podcasts. Thanks for listening! Catch you next week. 🎙️ 🎬 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 . 💬 Did this episode resonate with you? Tag Sarah on social media and share your biggest takeaway!…

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

1
103: How Kristin Landed Her Dream Role with Two Portfolio Projects and a Clear Roadmap 18:57

il y a 10 weeks18:57

18:57

In this special "Open House" episode, Sarah sits down with Career Strategy Lab alum, Kristin, a former graphic design professor turned UX professional, who joined Career Strategy Lab (CSL) as a “switcher”—someone transitioning to a new role or industry. Despite her extensive experience, Kristin found herself stuck in a role where her creative skills were underutilized. After 165 days in the program, Kristin successfully landed a government contract position with the Department of Energy, achieving a 25% salary increase and a significant shift in her responsibilities. In this conversation, Kristin shares insights on how she leveraged CSL’s structured approach, community support, and resources to transform her career trajectory. Key Highlights Career Roadmap: Kristin explains how creating a detailed career roadmap helped her clarify her goals, target her job search, and develop a focused strategy for her resume, LinkedIn, and portfolio. Community Support: The importance of accountability, shared experiences, and inspiration from the CSL community in staying motivated and improving her work. Portfolio Design: Why you don’t need five projects in your portfolio to land a job—quality and clarity trump quantity every time. Kristin shares how she successfully showcased her skills with just two solid case studies and a smaller management-focused project. Mindset Shift: How CSL's mindset coaching calls provided support through the ups and downs of her job search, transforming feelings of inadequacy into confidence and resilience. Lessons Learned: Kristin’s advice for future CSL participants: embrace structure, take feedback, and focus on progress over perfection. Takeaways for Listeners A career roadmap is essential for clarity and strategic job searching. Community and accountability can boost confidence and help you refine your work. Tailoring portfolios and resumes to hiring managers’ needs leads to better results. Mindset work is as critical as tactical execution in a successful job search. Kristin's Advice for future CSL Members Embrace the Process: “The structure and critiques were key for me. Any little bit of progress is progress, so take advantage of the feedback and focus on moving forward.” Leverage the Templates: “The templates provided a foundation that made my work more focused and impactful.” Join the Community: “The mindset calls and peer feedback were game-changers for staying motivated and refining my approach.” Be Open to Growth: “It’s okay to ask for help, and it’s okay if it’s not perfect. Focus on progress over perfection.” Timestamps 02:11 Kristin's Current Role and Background 03:54 Creating a Career Roadmap 07:30 The Importance of Community and Accountability 11:28 Tactical Advice for Job Seekers 14:03 Final Thoughts and Advice 18:02 Conclusion and Farewell Resources Mentioned Career Strategy Lab Connect with Sarah Doody Follow Sarah on Instagram , YouTube , or LinkedIn for more career insights. Tag Sarah with your takeaways from this episode or send her a DM! 🎬 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 . 💬 Did this episode resonate with you? Tag Sarah on social media and share your biggest takeaway!…

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

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102: Navigating Your UX Career in Challenging Times (Sarah Doody's episode on the Insights Unlocked Podcast) 27:34

il y a 11 weeks27:34

27:34

This special episode of the Career Strategy Podcast features an episode of the Insights Unlocked Podcast powered by UserTesting. In this episode, Sarah Doody is interviewed by UserTesting’s CEO, Andy McMillan. They discuss navigating your UX career over the next one to two years and dive into crucial themes that resonate with UX researchers, designers, and product managers from coping with tech layoffs to understanding the impact of AI. Key Topics Covered: The State of UX Careers in 2024 Insights from UX professionals on career satisfaction and challenges. Exploring opportunities beyond traditional tech companies. Impact of Layoffs and AI on UX Careers How tech layoffs and the rise of AI are reshaping career trajectories. Leveraging AI as a tool rather than a threat. Building a Career Roadmap The importance of long-term planning and acquiring transferable skills. Timeless skills like communication and critical thinking as career accelerators. Opportunities in Non-Tech Industries High-impact roles in healthcare, government, and education sectors. The growing value of research-first mindsets in non-tech companies. Practical Advice for Career Growth Keeping your resume, portfolio, and LinkedIn profile updated. Building business acumen and aligning research with organizational strategy. The Role of AI in Research AI’s potential in idea generation and data synthesis. Why human context and critical analysis remain irreplaceable. Actionable Takeaways: Create a career roadmap to strategically build skills for long-term growth. Regularly update your career materials to be ready for new opportunities. Expand your impact by developing business acumen and aligning UX practices with company strategies. View AI as a tool to enhance efficiency, not as a replacement for human expertise. Time Stamps: 01:36 UX Professionals Share Their Career Insights 03:41 Navigating Layoffs and Economic Challenges 05:21 Exploring Opportunities Beyond Big Tech 09:49 The Role of AI in UX Research 14:30 Building a Resilient Career Strategy 18:54 Opportunities and Challenges in UX 26:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 🎬 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 . 💬 Did this episode resonate with you? Tag Sarah on social media and share your biggest takeaway!…

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

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101: Creating a UX Career Roadmap: Sarah Doody's Episode on the AIGA Design Podcast 42:43

il y a 12 weeks42:43