Podcasts about career strategy lab

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

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.

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 open house episode, Sarah Doody chats with Joshua, a UX design leader with over 20 years of experience, about the reality of navigating a job search after a long career in enterprise environments. Josh opens up about the challenges of staying relevant in a shifting industry, rebuilding his confidence after burnout, and reframing what it means to craft a compelling portfolio—even without flashy Figma work.What You'll Learn in This Episode:✔️ How Josh is positioning himself for a new chapter after 20+ years in UX✔️ Why your portfolio doesn't need to be visual to be powerful✔️ The mindset shift that helped Josh regain clarity and momentum✔️ How asking former colleagues for feedback transformed his self-perception✔️ What it looks like to find leadership roles that align with your values✔️ Tips on managing your time, energy, and expectations in the job searchTimestamps:00:20 Welcome to the Career Strategy Podcast00:58 Episode Overview and Listener Engagement01:43 Meet Josh Vaughn: UX Design Leader02:33 Josh's Career Journey and Challenges04:53 The Importance of Storytelling in Portfolios06:45 Building Confidence and Career Strategy11:55 Reflecting on Career Strategy Lab13:23 Final Thoughts and Advice14:51 Conclusion and Farewell16:05 Podcast Outro⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.

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 open house episode, Sarah sits down with Marcus, a UX designer and recent graduate of Career Strategy Lab (CSL), to share his powerful journey from long-term unemployment to landing a meaningful role in government design.What You'll Learn in This Episode:✔️ How Marcus turned a cold job market into an opportunity for clarity and growth✔️ Why relationships—not cold DMs—led to the referral that got him hired✔️ How CSL's portfolio process gave him the tools and confidence to own his value✔️ What mindset shifts helped him stay grounded during an uncertain season✔️ The power of community in navigating the emotional rollercoaster of a UX job searchResources & Next Steps:

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 | InstagramYou might think your DIY job search is saving you money—but the truth is, it's likely costing you tens of thousands in lost income, time, and emotional energy.In this eye-opening episode, Sarah Doody breaks down the real cost of an inefficient UX job search using her custom-built UX Job Search ROI Calculator. You'll follow three real-world scenarios—a mid-level designer, a career switcher, and a junior designer—and see how seemingly small inefficiencies (like endless applications and resume rewrites) quickly add up to five-figure losses.Whether you're just starting your job search or you've been at it for months, this episode will help you stop making emotionally driven decisions and start using data to drive your next move.What You'll Learn in This Episode:✔️ The hidden financial and emotional cost of a prolonged job search✔️ How many hours and dollars you're actually spending applying to jobs✔️ Why rejection often triggers unnecessary upskilling and overlearning✔️ The ROI of getting strategic job search help (with real numbers)✔️ Why clarity and confidence—not more courses—are what actually get you hiredResources & Next Steps:

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 candid and encouraging open house conversation, Sarah Doody interviews Fritz Boyle, a UX researcher and Career Strategy Lab (CSL) graduate who recently landed a program manager role at Amazon—after nearly two years of job searching.Fritz shares what changed when he finally stopped spinning his wheels and committed to a strategic process. From rebuilding his portfolio and resume with intention, to regaining confidence through storytelling, community, and reflection, Fritz walks us through the exact mindset and tactical shifts that helped him move from burnout to breakthrough.Whether you've been job searching for months or you're just starting out, this episode is a reminder that it's never too late to get clear, realign your strategy, and step into the next chapter of your career with confidence.What You'll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why applying to every UX job doesn't work—and what to do instead✔️ How creating a portfolio isn't just about design—it's about clarity and confidence✔️ The role of community and coaching in rebuilding after rejection✔️ How Fritz moved from doubt to a leadership role in AI research at Amazon✔️ Why following a structured process made all the difference✔️ What it looks like to think long-term about your UX career (not just your next role)Where Fritz Works Now:

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 | InstagramWould you ever design a product without doing user research first? Of course not. So why do so many UX professionals walk into job interviews without researching their users—the interviewers?In this episode, Sarah Doody shares a simple but powerful strategy that can completely change the tone and outcome of your UX job interviews. You'll learn how to connect on a human level with interviewers by doing just a bit of thoughtful research—and how those small moments of connection can tip the scales in your favor.This isn't about manipulation. It's about building trust, showing empathy, and making your job search more human.What You'll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why researching your interviewers is a game-changer✔️ How one candidate at Meta used a single question to create a 5-minute connection✔️ What to look for in someone's LinkedIn, blog, or social posts✔️ Examples of conversation starters that feel natural—not forced✔️ How to show up as thoughtful, intentional, and memorable in your interviewsWhether you're early in your UX career or a seasoned pro, this episode will help you build stronger relationships—and better results—from every interview.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Career Strategy00:56 The Power of Human Connection in Interviews01:29 Real-Life Example: Making a Personal Connection02:54 LinkedIn Post Breakdown04:05 Why UX Research Matters in Interviews05:27 Tactical Tips for Interview Research08:18 Creating Conversation Starters09:37 Conclusion and Homework11:04 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

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 who founded the UX job search accelerator, Career Strategy Lab. She's been doing UX career coaching since 2017.Follow Sarah on: LinkedIn | YouTube | InstagramYou might think soap operas have nothing to do with your UX job search, but in this episode, Sarah Doody shows you why that thinking might be keeping you stuck and invisible.Back in the 1930s, Procter & Gamble created soap operas to sell, well… soap. But what they really created was one of the most effective audience engagement strategies in marketing history. And today, you can apply the same four principles to dramatically improve your visibility and momentum as a UX job seeker.Whether you're on the job hunt now or preparing for the future, this episode will reframe how you think about visibility, consistency, and strategy—and show you exactly where you might be going wrong.What You'll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why visibility, not just talent, gets you hired✔️ The 4 key takeaways from Procter & Gamble's soap opera strategy✔️ How to show up where your audience (aka recruiters & hiring managers) are already hanging out✔️ Why timing and repetition are critical to your job search success✔️ What most UX portfolios and resumes get totally wrong✔️ The mindset shift that turns your job search from passive to powerfulResources & Links Mentioned:

Enrollment is OPEN for my UX job search accelerator and will close on Friday, April 11 at 8pm PT. Join by Friday and get 1 extra month in the program for free. You can learn more, watch success stories, or enroll here.And you can watch to the recording of my UX job search workshop, until deadline Friday.If you have questions about the UX job search accelerator program (aka Career Strategy Lab) you can book a 1:1 call here or use the chat widget on the websites linked above to send us a message.

Want to get hired in UX faster? Click here.Welcome to the Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody, a UX Designer & UX Researcher with 20 years of experience who also founded the UX job search accelerator Career Strategy Lab. She's been doing UX career coaching since 2017.Follow Sarah on: LinkedIn | YouTube | InstagramIf you've applied to 100+ UX jobs and still haven't landed an interview or offer… this episode is your wake-up call.Sarah Doody shares the tough love and practical insights you need to finally pause, reflect, and strategically pivot your job search. Because applying to more jobs isn't the answer—strategy is.This episode is part pep talk, part intervention, and fully packed with real talk about what it takes to get hired in today's competitive UX job market.What You'll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why applying to 100+ jobs without results is a sign—not a failure✔️ The difference between a numbers game and a strategy game✔️ Why being great at UX doesn't mean you're great at getting hired✔️ How to assess what's really not working in your job search✔️ The mindset shifts and next steps that will actually move the needleIf you're feeling discouraged, stuck, or ready to give up—this one's for you.Timestamps00:59 The Job Search Intervention03:13 Identifying the Problem04:01 Real-Life Analogies06:30 The Need for Change08:49 Seeking Expert Help09:28 Facts vs. Emotions17:05 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Want to get hired in UX faster? Click here.Welcome to the Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody, a UX Designer & UX Researcher who also founded the UX job search accelerator Career Strategy Lab. She's been doing UX career coaching since 2017.Follow Sarah on: LinkedIn | YouTube | InstagramThis episode was from a session on Maven! Click here to watch the replay.If you're applying to UX jobs and not getting interviews, your resume might be the problem—specifically, how it interacts with the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).In this episode, Sarah Doody breaks down exactly how to format your resume so it gets past ATS filters and lands in front of recruiters and hiring managers.You'll learn why you need TWO versions of your resume, what formatting mistakes to avoid, and how to tailor your resume for each job posting—without spending hours on every application.What You'll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why ATS matters and how it scans and ranks resumes✔️ The difference between an ATS-friendly and a human-friendly resume✔️ Why two-column resumes can sabotage your chances✔️ How to use job descriptions to tailor your resume for better results✔️ Three common resume mistakes that could be costing you interviews✔️ Why a one-page resume could be hurting your job searchTimestamps01:04 The Importance of a Strategic Resume03:08 Understanding Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)06:24 How ATS Parses Your Resume08:19 Formatting Your Resume for ATS16:23 Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid24:01 Recap and Final Tips25:23 Conclusion and Contact Information

Want to get hired in UX faster? Click here.Welcome to the Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody, a UX Designer & UX Researcher who also founded the UX job search accelerator Career Strategy Lab. She's been doing UX career coaching since 2017.Follow Sarah on: LinkedIn | YouTube | InstagramWelcome to another Open House episode of the Career Strategy Podcast! In this episode, Sarah Doody sits down with Jon Simmons, a seasoned product designer currently navigating the UX job search.Jon shares his experience of revamping his portfolio, refining his job search strategy, and preparing for senior-level interviews after a layoff. He discusses how shifting his portfolio approach from a website to a presentation format significantly improved his job prospects and how structured storytelling and community support made a difference in his confidence and clarity.What You'll Learn in This Episode:✔️ The importance of stepping back from just tweaking your portfolio and doing deeper self-reflection✔️ How portfolio presentations (vs. websites) give you more control over your job search narrative✔️ The role of mindset and confidence in positioning yourself for high-level UX roles✔️ Why community and structured frameworks can prevent burnout and job search frustration✔️ Jon's insights on interviewing for principal product designer roles and adapting to today's marketTimestamps01:43 Episode Overview and Open House Context03:14 John's Journey in Career Strategy Lab07:12 Portfolio Presentation Insights15:58 The Importance of Self-Reflection18:03 Advice for Prospective Members20:06 Conclusion and Community Highlights21:47 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Sarah Doody, CEO of Career Strategy Lab, sat down with Product Momentum co-hosts Sean Murray and Dan Sharp to offer advice to UX designers out there who are frustrated by the volatility in today's job market. Treat your career like a product you're designing, Sarah says, and focus on the essential skills you need in … The post 160 / Designing Your Career: Pro Tips for Navigating Today's Job Market, with Sarah Doody appeared first on ITX Corp..

Until Friday, you can listen to the audio of my free workshop about the UX job search and Q&A about "The 4C Framework To Get Hired In UX" ... list by Saturday, March 15 at 9am PT.

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 promotionIf this episode resonated with you, tag Sarah on social media or leave a quick review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

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 TakeawaysWhy 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 Stamps00:00 Introduction to Career Strategy01:01 Meet Emily: A UX Writing Success Story02:34 Emily's Journey to Freelance Success05:23 The Financial Upside of Freelancing08:21 Key Lessons from Emily's Experience11:55 Final Tips and Conclusion14:12 Wrap-Up and Contact Information

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 oftenResources & Links Mentioned:

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:

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 worksJoin 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.

Available until Fri, Jan 31 at 8pm PT, listen to my UX Portfolio Workshop. If you want to watch the video and see the slides, please email or have questions about Career Strategy Lab, email me at hello@sarahdoody.com and mention this podcast episode.

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 $15,000A UX Designer from Washington DC got hired at a digital strategy company with a salary increase of $25,000A Senior UX Researcher from San Francisco got hired at a real estate company with a salary increase of $75,000A Senior Product Designer from Seattle got hired at an e-commerce company with a salary increase of $19,000Career 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

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 HighlightsCareer 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 ListenersA 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 MembersEmbrace 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.”Timestamps02:11 Kristin's Current Role and Background03:54 Creating a Career Roadmap07:30 The Importance of Community and Accountability11:28 Tactical Advice for Job Seekers14:03 Final Thoughts and Advice18:02 Conclusion and FarewellResources MentionedCareer Strategy LabConnect with Sarah DoodyFollow Sarah on Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn for more career insights. Tag Sarah with your takeaways from this episode or send her a DM!

In this milestone 100th episode of the Career Strategy Podcast, we sit down with Jaden, a Career Strategy Lab alumni, who shares their transformative journey from apparel design to landing a senior product designer role at Zipline as a Senior Product Designer with a 15% pay increase from her previous role. Sarah and Jaden discuss the struggles of job searching, the importance of a strong LinkedIn presence, navigating a career gap, and the power of storytelling in portfolios. Jaden emphasizes the value of investing in oneself and the benefits of the Career Strategy Lab curriculum, which helped shift their mindset and secure a job quickly. 01:04 Celebrating Episode 10001:37 Listener Engagement and Support03:01 Case Study: Landing a UX Job03:18 Introduction to Career Strategy Lab03:39 Jaden's Career Journey07:37 The Importance of Owning Your Story09:18 Key Sprints in Career Strategy Lab14:31 Advice for New and Prospective Members17:10 Final Thoughts and Encouragement17:38 Closing Remarks

In this episode, Sarah explains the 2 types of weekly calls in Career Strategy Lab and shares examples of questions we've answered. Enrollment is OPEN until Wed, Nov 20. Visit www.careerstrategylab.com/sprint to learn more or join.Career Strategy Lab helps mid and senior UX and Product people be ready to apply in 3 months or less and get hired with a 5-figure salary increases without applying to hundreds of jobs.If you have any questions, feel free to email us at hello@sarahdoody.com

In this episode, Sarah explains how the critiques in Career Strategy Lab work, including how many critiques you can submit, what you can submit, how you'll receive feedback, and more. Enrollment is OPEN until Wed, Nov 20. Visit www.careerstrategylab.com/sprint to learn more or join.Career Strategy Lab helps mid and senior UX and Product people be ready to apply in 3 months or less and get hired with a 5-figure salary increases without applying to hundreds of jobs.If you have any questions, feel free to email us at hello@sarahdoody.com

Ever wondered how to finally break through in your career when things seem tough? In this episode, Jamie, a senior product designer from Ottawa, shares his journey of navigating job loss and finding success. Jamie recounts his struggles with imposter syndrome and unemployment, sharing how he applied for hundreds of jobs without landing one.Jamie found his turning point by joining Career Strategy Lab, where the community and structured guidance helped him rebuild confidence. He talks about the importance of reflecting on past experiences, both good and bad, and how this self-assessment improved his job interviews.The conversation touches on the importance of analyzing past experiences, building confidence, and leveraging community support. This episode includes insights and actionable advice for anyone looking to take charge of their career strategy.Tune in to hear Jamie's honest account and actionable tips for career growth.Timestamps01:00 Special Episode Announcement01:50 Meet Jamie: A Career Journey03:50 The Power of Community in Career Strategy Lab05:41 Mindset Shifts and Career Roadmaps11:25 The Impact of Detailed Case Studies13:33 Global Relevance of Career Strategy Lab14:33 Final Advice and Encouragement16:45 Closing Remarks

In this episode, Sarah shares the story of a Lead Design Researcher who got hired with a 35% salary increase. This person, an alumni of Career Strategy Lab, said a that major factor in securing the role was relationships. In the episode, you'll learn the role of relationships in this person's job search and interviews.Career Strategy Lab helps mid and senior UX and Product people be ready to apply in 3 months or less and get hired with a 5-figure salary increases without applying to hundreds of jobs.Enrollment is OPEN for Career Strategy Lab until Wed, Nov 20. Visit www.careerstrategylab.com/sprint to learn more or join.If you have any questions feel free to email us at hello@sarahdoody.com

In this episode, Sarah details the extra traits of who Career Strategy Lab was designed for. Enrollment is OPEN until Wed, Nov 20. Visit www.careerstrategylab.com/sprint to learn more or join.Career Strategy Lab helps mid and senior UX and Product people be ready to apply in 3 months or less and get hired with a 5-figure salary increases without applying to hundreds of jobs.If you have any questions feel free to email us at hello@sarahdoody.com

In this episode, Sarah shares the story of Dan, a Lead UX Designer who got hired in 56 days. In Dec 2023, he was laid off and joined Career Strategy Lab. A few weeks later, he saw a role and applied despite his UX portfolio not being finished and being "far from perfect." To his surprise, he moved along in the interview process and was offered a job in February 2024 as a Lead UX Designer at a large healthcare company.THIS is what can happen when you stop trying to make a "perfect" portfolio and instead focus on "good enough" ... because if you don't stop perfecting, you won't start applying. And it is possible to get hired with a "good enough" portfolio.Career Strategy Lab helps mid and senior UX and Product people be ready to apply in 3 months or less and get hired with a 5-figure salary increases without applying to hundreds of jobs.Enrollment is OPEN for Career Strategy Lab until Wed, Nov 20. Visit www.careerstrategylab.com/sprint to learn more or join.If you have any questions feel free to email us at hello@sarahdoody.com

Missed our UX Portfolio Workshop from Thu, Nov 14? Or, prefer to listen on the go versus watch the video? Listen to the workshop until Wed, Nov 20th! If you want to watch the video or have questions about Career Strategy Lab or want to enroll, just email us at hello@sarahdoody.com

Ever wondered why a coach without UX experience might be the secret to your job search success? This episode dives into just that, answering a common question: why are the Career Strategy Lab (CSL) coaches not UX experts? Discover how the CSL program helps people in user experience, product design, and tech fields navigate their job searches. The episode explains the importance of thinking of yourself as "the product of you” and why great job search coaching involves more than just industry-specific advice.The episode uses a wedding planner analogy to explain why hiring someone with broad coaching experience is often more valuable than someone with deep but narrow expertise. Listeners will learn that the CSL team is carefully chosen to cover three crucial elements: design, marketing, and sales. Each coach brings a unique set of skills, from sales and storytelling to higher education and hiring experience. The team approach helps candidates market themselves effectively and build strong, authentic relationships. If you're stuck in your job search, this episode provides a fresh perspective on the diverse skills needed to succeed.Timestamps 00:00 Career Strategy Lab guides tech job searches.03:52 Think of yourself as a marketable product.07:31 Experienced planners can better fulfill your needs.12:35 Steph helps personalize marketing for job seekers.15:52 Holistic coaching goes beyond traditional UX feedback.19:36 Contact us for job search guidance and support.

Navigating a career change or climbing the job ladder can be daunting, but guidance and support make all the difference. In this episode of The Career Strategy Podcast we take you behind the scenes into an Open House for CSL where you'll meet 2 professionals, a Senior User Researcher and a Lead UX Designer, who worked with Sarah and her team directly to improve their career materials and stand out in the crowded job market.In this episode we'll dive into the unique structure of the Career Strategy Lab, the proven program that breaks down job searching into manageable sprints, from creating a career roadmap to showcasing your portfolio. Sarah also leads a detailed discussion on the "inverted pyramid" approach for creating impactful portfolios that grab the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.You'll hear firsthand from CSL alumni, Meg and Craig, as they share their breakthrough moments and mindset shifts that propelled their careers forward. Tune in to this episode to learn strategies for crafting compelling resumes, portfolio headlines, and maintaining progress without striving for perfection. Timestamps00:00 Exciting alumni experiences, portfolio workshop, Career Strategy Lab.08:16 Program guides career path through structured process.11:38 CSL program helps build materials, provides support.16:39 Career Strategy Lab: Community-focused career development support.21:50 Mindset calls tackle career-related emotional barriers.26:58 Experienced in process; not alone finding work.35:37 Focus on communication strategies for career advancement.42:20 Inverted pyramid structure delivers info strategically.47:54 Craft headlines, supporting content, and proof carefully.50:55 Inverted pyramid structure for effective storytelling and presentations.57:11 Break down tasks; use templates; weekly support calls.01:03:18 Career Strategy Lab benefits all career stages.

Miss our UX portfolio workshop from Thu, Oct 17? Or, prefer to listen on the go versus watch the video? Listen to the workshop until Wednesday, October 23! If you want to watch the video or have questions about Career Strategy Lab or want to enroll, just email us at hello@sarahdoody.com

Are you stuck in a never-ending job search and unsure if investing in a career program is worth it? In this episode of the Career Strategy Podcast, Sarah breaks down the real cost of DIY-ing your job hunt and how a 3-month job search accelerator can actually pay for itself. In this episode, you'll discover three crucial ways to rethink investing in your career. First, learn how the time spent job hunting affects your potential earning and find out why landing a job faster can mean extra cash in your pocket. Second, see how programs like the Career Strategy Lab can lead to significant salary bumps—enough to cover the program's cost. Finally, explore flexible payment options to make career investments more manageable. Tune in to understand how smart investments can shorten your job search and boost your income. Don't miss the chance to turn strategic career thinking into real financial gains."If you get hired faster, like in 3 months instead of 6 or 9 or 12, that means you are now earning a salary, which then you can use to do a variety of things. Right? Obviously, you know, pay for your living expenses and such. But you might be able to pay down debt or invest in your retirement portfolio and things like that. And the sooner you can start doing those things, the more time that you have to leverage that principle of compound interest." - Sarah Doody, Host of the Career Strategy Podcast. Timestamps00:39 Exploring Career Strategy Lab investment vs. DIY job search costs.03:38 Invest time in career growth for faster, more effective job placements.06:49 Evaluate job search costs; consider investing in Career Strategy Lab for significant benefits.12:17 Flexible, interest-free payment plans enable affordable career advancement programs.

Sarah explains why UX researchers struggle with building effective portfolios and marketing themselves. She highlights common mistakes researchers make, offers tips for navigating NDAs, and suggests ways to showcase the business impact of their work. Sarah also provides strategies for standing out in a competitive job market and advice for freelancers.

Thinking about pausing your job search until after the election? You might want to think again.This episode of The Career Strategy Podcast tackles the common question: Should you wait until political uncertainty settles to move forward in your job search? Get ready to learn why holding off could actually set you back and why companies aren't hitting pause on hiring. The key is to stay proactive and not fall into the "election waiting game” because job markets don't stop for elections and continuing your job search now can give you a competitive edge. Sarah shares actionable tips like updating your resume, enhancing your portfolio, and reconnecting with your network, all of which can set you up for success even during uncertain times.Why wait for a job rush post-election when you can get ahead now?Timestamps 00:45 Businesses are hiring now to meet goals for 2025, independent of political outcomes. Delaying job applications until after elections increases competition.07:05 Focus on what you can control: prepare your resume, update your portfolio, optimize LinkedIn, build relationships, and start applying for jobs now, regardless of external uncertainties like the election.08:30 Despite uncertainty in the job market, people are still being hired, especially in UX and product roles, even outside the tech industry. The Career Strategy Lab program helps job seekers build resilience and stand out regardless of external circumstances.11:41 Job search shouldn't stop for elections; starting now is strategic.

Miss our UX careers workshop from Thu, Sep 26, about how to advance your career with UX and product principles? Or, prefer to listen on the go versus watch the video? Listen to the workshop until Wednesday, October 2! If you want to watch the video or have questions about Career Strategy Lab, just email us at hello@sarahdoody.com

In today's special episode, we dive into the raw, unfiltered experiences of alumni from the Career Strategy Lab who have recently secured new roles and transformed their careers. Our guests share their personal journeys and the pivotal moments that propelled their career success. From overcoming the fear of posting on LinkedIn to mastering the art of storytelling in portfolios and resumes, this episode highlights the importance of community, mentorship, and structured support. Listen as Senior Product Designer at Contact Monkey, Jamie, Global Head of Product Design & Experience at DSI, Duncan, and Product Designer at Zipline Retail, Jaden, discuss how Career Strategy Lab's curated curriculum and 5-sprint program helped them gain confidence, clarity, and authentic self-presentation in interviews.Whether you're looking to switch careers, enhance your job search strategies, or build a standout portfolio, this episode is packed with actionable advice and real-life insights. Stay tuned as we uncover the transformative power of investing in oneself and the invaluable role of a supportive community in achieving career success. Timestamps03:20 Left previous job, struggled, found new role.09:00 Laid off while pregnant, found new job.15:39 Mindset shift in job search for designers.17:16 Emphasizing self-recognition and value in past work.22:58 Support and connection in overcoming career challenges.30:37 Owning your story is important in career.37:04 Impactful case study sprint improved job prospects.43:33 Choose best option for best results.46:28 Investing in career advice paid off well.55:48 Join strategylab.com/applyv2 for info and updates.58:30 Course is primarily self-paced with weekly Q&A.01:03:37 Portfolio important for interviews and confidence boost.

In today's episode Sarah addresses this question head-on!Tune in to learn what Career Strategy Lab offers and how the unique group coaching program and community designed for UX, design, and tech professionals helps clients increase their confidence and achieve their career goals. Sarah also addresses the lack of negative reviews and discusses why some people choose not to publicly share their experiences.If you've ever been skeptical or simply curious, this fully transparent episode provides the clarity you need to get a real sense of what's inside the Career Strategy Lab.Quotables"Whether you are marketing a physical product, a service, or yourself as a candidate, the principles of marketing still stay the same. You still need to do things that help you become more visible as a new business or a new product or a candidate. You need to catch people's attention. You need to make it easy for them to contact you.""I am the marketing firm. And if you want to learn how to market yourself as a candidate, then career strategy lab is going to help you do that."Timestamps00:39 Addressing the Scam Question00:58 Understanding Career Strategy Lab02:36 Handling Negative Feedback05:58 Marketing Insights and Transparency☎️ Book a free Career Strategy Call to learn how we can help

Sarah Doody is a user research experience designer and researcher. She's also the founder of Career Strategy Lab, a UX career coaching program. In 2011, she co-created the curriculum and taught for General Assembly's first 11-week UX intensive program in New York City. She has extensive experience doing experience design, product strategy, and user research for companies including Fatherly, Sling, Citi Bike, We Work, Domino Magazine, Tictail, the Muse, Dow Jones and more. She speaks at conferences and teaches workshops worldwide. Today, we talk about designing your career and user experience for small businesses. Listen to learn about: >> Creating a career roadmap >> Career marketing materials and messaging >> The importance of stories and storytelling when interviewing Our GuestSarah Doody is the founder of Career Strategy Lab™, a program that helps UX and product professionals at all career stages navigate their job search and articulate their skills and experience through individualized and group coaching. She is also the host of the Career Strategy Lab podcast. Since 2021, professionals who have worked with Sarah have increased their salaries by 40% on average and have been hired at prestigious brands such as Microsoft, Amazon, Salesforce, Nordstrom, Spotify, Blue Origin on average in 3.5 months. She has been featured as an expert in Forbes, Fast Company, Insider, Fox Business, and more.  Show Highlights [01:43] Sarah originally planned to have a career in neuroscience. [02:19] During a gap year, she ended up in graphic and web design instead, which led to a focus on information architecture. [2:50] From there, Sarah turned to product and user experience design and user research. [3:43] Launching her own consulting company. [04:40] How creating and teaching a workshop about building a design portfolio launched Sarah's new career coaching business. [06:07] One mistake many make when it comes to their careers. [07:57] Sarah's company helps people do research on themselves to help them find jobs and careers that fulfill them professionally and personally. [09:04] Being more intentional when thinking about your career. [10:47] Creating a career roadmap. [15:08] Sarah's advice for those who are trying to figure out their next career moves. [15:30] The importance of business relationships. [18:01] The three core career marketing materials. [19:41] Focus on outcomes. [21:31] Tailoring messaging for the job you want next. [26:26] As a job candidate, you're a product and companies hiring are your customers. [27:35] Researching companies before the interview. [29:16] Anders Ericsson and the 10,000 hour rule. [30:30] Using stories in interviews. [34:09] Think like a lawyer when interviewing. [39:16] How Sarah and her team work on projects. [42:02] Where to find out more about Sarah and her work. [43:27] Sarah's last advice about career planning. Links Sarah on LinkedIn Sarah's website Sarah on YouTube Sarah on Instagram Sarah on Medium Sarah on Forbes Sarah on Inside Design Sarah on UX Magazine Career Strategy Lab Career Strategy Podcast Sarah Doody on the democratization of UX and thinking like a designer 3 Signs Your Team Isn't Doing Enough User Research The NN/g UX Podcast: Designing a UX Career The UX Growth Podcast, Season 2 Episode 12 People of Product: How to Finally Land a Job in UX DT 101 EpisodesUX + Design Teams with Nick Finck — DT101 E117 UX + Into, Through, and (Almost) Out of Design with Kara DeFrias — DT101 E103 UX Research + Research Teams + UX Camp DC with Glenette Clark — DT101 E80

Sarah Doody is a user research experience designer and researcher. She's also the founder of Career Strategy Lab, a UX career coaching program. In 2011, she co-created the curriculum and taught for General Assembly's first 11-week UX intensive program in New York City. She has extensive experience doing experience design, product strategy, and user research for companies including Fatherly, Sling, Citi Bike, We Work, Domino Magazine, Tictail, the Muse, Dow Jones and more. She speaks at conferences and teaches workshops worldwide. Today, we talk about designing your career and user experience for small businesses. Listen to learn about: >> Creating a career roadmap >> Career marketing materials and messaging >> The importance of stories and storytelling when interviewing Our GuestSarah Doody is the founder of Career Strategy Lab™, a program that helps UX and product professionals at all career stages navigate their job search and articulate their skills and experience through individualized and group coaching. She is also the host of the Career Strategy Lab podcast. Since 2021, professionals who have worked with Sarah have increased their salaries by 40% on average and have been hired at prestigious brands such as Microsoft, Amazon, Salesforce, Nordstrom, Spotify, Blue Origin on average in 3.5 months. She has been featured as an expert in Forbes, Fast Company, Insider, Fox Business, and more.  Show Highlights [01:43] Sarah originally planned to have a career in neuroscience. [02:19] During a gap year, she ended up in graphic and web design instead, which led to a focus on information architecture. [2:50] From there, Sarah turned to product and user experience design and user research. [3:43] Launching her own consulting company. [04:40] How creating and teaching a workshop about building a design portfolio launched Sarah's new career coaching business. [06:07] One mistake many make when it comes to their careers. [07:57] Sarah's company helps people do research on themselves to help them find jobs and careers that fulfill them professionally and personally. [09:04] Being more intentional when thinking about your career. [10:47] Creating a career roadmap. [15:08] Sarah's advice for those who are trying to figure out their next career moves. [15:30] The importance of business relationships. [18:01] The three core career marketing materials. [19:41] Focus on outcomes. [21:31] Tailoring messaging for the job you want next. [26:26] As a job candidate, you're a product and companies hiring are your customers. [27:35] Researching companies before the interview. [29:16] Anders Ericsson and the 10,000 hour rule. [30:30] Using stories in interviews. [34:09] Think like a lawyer when interviewing. [39:16] How Sarah and her team work on projects. [42:02] Where to find out more about Sarah and her work. [43:27] Sarah's last advice about career planning. Links Sarah on LinkedIn Sarah's website Sarah on YouTube Sarah on Instagram Sarah on Medium Sarah on Forbes Sarah on Inside Design Sarah on UX Magazine Career Strategy Lab Career Strategy Podcast Sarah Doody on the democratization of UX and thinking like a designer 3 Signs Your Team Isn't Doing Enough User Research The NN/g UX Podcast: Designing a UX Career The UX Growth Podcast, Season 2 Episode 12 People of Product: How to Finally Land a Job in UX DT 101 EpisodesUX + Design Teams with Nick Finck — DT101 E117 UX + Into, Through, and (Almost) Out of Design with Kara DeFrias — DT101 E103 UX Research + Research Teams + UX Camp DC with Glenette Clark — DT101 E80

Eager to boost your professional growth but struggling to find the time and right flow for your life? Figuring out how to best use your time is a regular topic inside of Career Strategy Lab as we help clients navigate how to focus on progress over perfection while juggling the realities of life.In this episode of the Career Strategy Podcast, Sarah shares practical strategies to fit professional development into your life regardless of what your calendar looks like. From tips on scheduling dedicated time for growth to managing perfectionism and expectations, you'll learn how to navigate either a jam-packed schedule or, the ample free time a lay-off presents, to invest in yourself. Whether you're balancing a full-time job and other commitments or have an open calendar to focus on growth, this episode provides actionable advice catered to your unique situation. Get ready to uncover the importance of setting priorities, build a supportive community, and break tasks into manageable sprints to maximize your efforts. 00:56 Making time for professional development: actionable tips.03:46 Schedule professional development with focus and energy.08:22 Commit to intentional, efficient professional development.11:25 Break tasks, focus on energy, quality work.13:17 Prioritize tasks, schedule and say no.17:31 Learn practical tips for professional development journey.☎️ Book a free Career Strategy Call to learn how we can help

A few times a year we open the doors to Career Strategy Lab and host an Open House so prospective clients can learn about the program and get to know some of our clients. In this episode, we're sharing the audio from our last Open House (it's an imperfect podcast episode but we think the stories are worth sharing!) During this episode, you'll hear from three Career Strategy Lab clients (two Product Designers and a Senior UX Designer) on how to tackle mindset issues like imposter syndrome and procrastination as well as how they improved their communication skills and confidence in CSL.Tune in to hear how these three women accepted new job opportunities by applying the “Product of You” framework Sarah teaches in Career Strategy Lab. 02:00 Work meeting, questions, introductions, Career Strategy Lab.05:26 Enhancing communication skills through enrolling in CSL.09:08 Focused on single case study with significant impact.13:01 Surrounding with career-focused community creates accountability.14:22 Embrace promoting yourself to communicate your value.18:04 Consistency in touch points shapes brand perception.23:36 Coaching and CSL sessions significantly improved performance.25:35 Optimize resume for ATS, keep it simple.30:33 Mindset calls provided support and guidance.34:45 Program rekindled confidence and passion for work.37:17 Allie found his flow; advice on sprints.40:54 Organize sprints for career roadmap and job search.43:36 Detailed course materials for career development available.45:51 Weekly sprint check-ins, events, job alerts available.49:35 3-month CSL course requires dedication.51:35 Encouraging self-compassion and growth in career.55:42 Private questions? Use the email or link.57:44 Thank you for listening to career strategy podcast.☎️ Book a free Career Strategy Call to learn how we can help

Struggling with getting responses to your cold messages? Discover a straightforward approach to crafting communication that's more likely to get you a reply. This episode dives into a four-part structure called the GAIN framework, designed to hone your messages to be concise, clear, and effective. Learn why keeping things short is critical and how specificity in your queries can significantly up your chances of receiving the response you need. Plus, avoid common mistakes like overly long messages or unclear intent that might be sending your emails straight to the ignored pile. Want more support? Grab our communication swipe files and so much more inside of Career Strategy Lab.00:00 Be clear, concise, and specific in messaging.05:45 Use strong anchor when reaching out professionally.09:18 Efficient email communication framework for networking.10:32 Use GAIN framework for clearer, impactful messages.☎️ Book a free Career Strategy Call to learn how we can help

Unlocking potential in your career can often feel like a maze with no clear exit. This episode takes you inside one of our weekly Q&A calls that we do with our Career Strategy Lab clients. These calls allow our Career Strategy Lab members to come together in real-time to talk through their wins, struggles, and questions. Forget edited scenarios; you're getting the raw and real questions that our clients grapple with, and the practical advice provided by our expert coaching team.In this episode of the Career Strategy Lab, you'll hear from individuals in different stages of their UX careers as they tackle challenges like articulating work, determining the ideal number of bullet points for their resume, and curating a UX portfolio with just the right amount of case studies. The discussions delve into whether it's better to stick to a career path closely or to pivot when unique opportunities arise, even if they don't perfectly align with long-term goals.Have questions? Join us in Career Strategy Lab to get your questions answered and career materials critiqued!00:00 Tips to improve your "about me" or what we refer to as a Compass Statement03:39 Suggest 2-3 bullet points, vary by content and context.08:47 Portfolios vary, no set limit. Tailor to showcase skills. No one-size-fits-all.10:33 Submit assets after going through the curriculum to match CSL standards, avoid quadruple work for feedback.16:07 Discussion about decision-making mindset and past experience parallels.20:22 People are encouraged to share and listen to others' experiences for support.☎️ Book a free Career Strategy Call to learn how we can help

How do you package your unique career journey? In this episode, Sarah Doody, founder of Career Strategy Lab™, and Lee-Sean Huang, senior director of learning and programs at AIGA, delve into the intricacies of crafting a career roadmap to navigate your professional journey. Join us as we explore the importance of setting short and long-term goals, building your compass statement, and leveraging unique strategies to stand out in the design industry. Topics include: 1️⃣ Crafting a career roadmap: Discover the value of setting short and long-term goals to guide your professional journey. 2️⃣ Building your compass statement: Learn how to articulate your vision and filter opportunities that align with your career aspirations. 3️⃣ The power of anti-networking: Explore strategies for building meaningful relationships and standing out in a crowded job market.

On the next episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, guest Sarah Doody discusses applying product design principles to your career, crafting a career roadmap, and more. Full episode release: March 18, 2024.

In this conversation, Danielle is joined by Sarah Doody. Sarah is the founder of Career Strategy Lab™, a program that helps UX and product professionals at all career stages navigate their job search and articulate their skills and experience through individualized and group coaching. She is also the host of the Career Strategy Lab podcast. Sarah has been named a Future of Work expert by Forbes and is a regular Forbes.com contributor. She has also been featured in Fast Company, Insider, Fox Business, and more. Sarah is also to author her first book, The Product of You: How to Design, Market, and Sell Yourself in Your Career, forthcoming in 2024. Highlights from the discussion include (1) the viral blog post that changed the trajectory of Sarah's career, (2) the importance of building an email list, (3) why we should design our work to fit our life, and (4) how to make a mindset shift to find a fulfilling career. Learn more about Sarah Doody at www.sarahdoody.com/the-product-of-you/.

Welcome back to Insights Unlocked and a very happy holidays to everyone. For many people, the holiday season is a time for taking a break from work as we visit friends and loved ones and otherwise recharge our batteries.  In this short encore episode, we listen to the conversation UserTesting's CEO Andy MacMillan had with Sarah Doody from Career Strategy Lab about making ourselves recession proof. One recommendation they had was investing time at least once a year in updating your LinkedIn profile, resume or CV.  Seems like these slow days between the holidays are a perfect opportunity to track your accomplishments over the past year, update your LinkedIn profile, and make a plan for the new year.  Enjoy the show. 

This week's episode is an interview with product designer and Career Strategy Lab alumni, Melody. The job search can be a whirlwind of ups and downs. Melody shares how she kept a level head and used what she learned in our career coaching program to land a job with a company she had already applied to and been rejected from! Listen to hear the real experiences, obstacles, and victories of a CSL Alumni! 00:38 A quick intro with Erin 02:21 Let's meet Melody! 04:28 Interaction design is the future of design 08:31 The CSL crossover of art and business 11:15 The frustrating job search before joining CSL 15:07 Well made career materials can carry you a long way 19:43 The job search roller coaster 23:12 Keep applying, it can work out! 26:36 Melody's tips for keeping a healthy mindset!

In this "Open House" episode, we're joined by Career Strategy Lab alumni, Laura, Malavika , and Carlos, who each have their unique stories of transformation and success to share with you. Laura, a product designer at Cisco in Miami, shares her journey through the lab and the remarkable turnaround from nearly 60 job applications to landing interviews and a coveted job offer. Carlos talks about his career aspirations, the battle with rejection, and the momentous shift he accomplished with the help of CSL, now finding his groove at Covenant Eyes. And Malavika, whose persistence and newfound confidence through CSL led her to stand out among over 800 applicants to join Health Equity as a senior UX designer. We discuss the value of experience, the importance of maintaining consistency, and the courage to confidently wait for the right job opportunity. 05:32 Deciding to switch jobs, facing role mismatches. 08:02 Job search frustration transformed by mentor program. 11:39 Gained confidence, stood out in designer career. 13:05 Rejection letter led to self-confidence and clarity. 19:03 Contract to full-time transition at Cisco. 22:58 Structured, relevant case study impressed interviewers. 24:55 Preparing to document for future case studies. 29:40 Fear of not landing job or mentorship. 30:57 Facing hesitation but achieved good investment outcomes. 36:19 Challenges for career switchers in framing experience. 39:57 Excitement for career strategy lab and alumni feedback. 42:53 Hiring doesn't slow down during holidays. Be ready to apply for jobs at any time.

This week's episode is hosted by CSL Coach Erin Lindstrom with special guest, Malavika Oak, a CSL Alumni! Tune in to hear what led Malavika to UX and her career journey from working at startups, getting laid off, and with the help of Career Strategy Lab, landing a new role that she describes as a “dream job.” 00:38 Intro with Erin 01:55 Meet Malavika 04:51 Looking for mentorship in the UX world 07:26 Being the only designer at a startup 11:25 Her new role 14:29 Slowly getting better and better at interviews 17:03 Tips for parents and other who are juggling multiple responsibilities 19:25 But why UX?

In today's episode, Sarah shares a mindset coaching call that the CSL Coaching Team hosted for people interested in CSL to give them a taste of the kind of calls we host on a weekly basis. Each week (and on this call) our coaches discuss a myriad of topics including; your relationship with your past work, confidence in yourself and your materials, and many other challenges you may face while developing your career strategy. Tune in and let us know what you think! 02:00 Introduction 05:42 Sarah speaks about developing your career as the product of you. 09:48 Let's talk about staying motivated during the job search. 16:48 Layoffs are absolutely happening and we're also seeing a lot of people get hired. 20:54 Consistency is not the same as perfection. 23:26 Jobs are one of those things where there's beginnings and endings and there's often grief. 27:59 The period between finishing an education and building up a portfolio slash publishing that portfolio, what framing recommendations do you have around thinking about this and not getting bogged down? 29:12 How do I work on my confidence in the workplace? I feel scared to contribute to conversations because I'm scared that my ideas aren't good enough. 30:42 Let's talk about where confidence comes from. 36:04 What happens when we build self-trust? Your confidence goes up because you trust yourself to do your best in this situation. 40:18 “Enoughness” and ageism. 44:06 Rejection and the job search. 49:41 Rejection is excellent data, and it can be hard on our feelings.

It can feel difficult to break into the tech field, or any industry, when you reach a certain age. You may feel like you're being overlooked for simply your age. Let's talk about that! This week Sarah discusses the topic of ageism in the tech industry and some misconceptions people have about it. You can't control your age, so instead you should concentrate on things you can change. Leverage the extensive experience you have. Soft skills learned through a lifetime of work are some of the hardest to obtain. 00:38 Am I too old to get hired in tech or user experience or really any field for that matter? 02:20 So how old you are is not within your control. You can't change that, right? what you can change is how you talk about experience 03:37 If you are a little older and worried about how your age might be perceived by a potential employer, et cetera, I want you to know that with more experience comes more skills and more knowledge. 04:39 Resilience, work ethic and other factors that might make someone a good team member, employee, manager, et cetera. These are skills that someone who might be just starting out in their career might not have developed as much as someone like you. 06:37 I thought it would be just interesting to highlight two people from my career coaching program, career strategy lab who were older and did get hired. 07:04 Ashley was in her sixties when she joined Career Strategy Lab. 08:36 David was in his fifties when he joined Career Strategy Lab 09:58 It costs companies a lot of money to hire employees, and the average cost in the United States is about $4,500 to hire a new employee 11:24 So the three things that I want you to think about concerning ageism in getting hired and in the tech and UX or frankly any industry

Have you ever wondered why so many people fail to land their dream job after attending a boot camp or taking an online course? In this episode of Unlearn Podcast, Barry O'Reilly chats with Sarah Doody, a UX researcher and designer, and the founder and CEO of the Career Strategy Lab, a program that helps UX and product professionals at all career stages navigate the job search and articulate their skills and experience to help them grow. Sarah talks about her journey of designing her career and helping others do the same. She and Barry discuss the need for ongoing career development, the importance of setting boundaries, and why systems and design thinking is important in building a successful business and career. Designing Your Career “When I think back, I realized that I've always been designing my career,” Sarah remarks. She describes herself as a systems thinker who can spot problems and opportunities in sales, marketing, product, and engineering. However, her multi-talented nature often meant people didn't know what to do with her, and she had to design her own roles at different startups. Barry recalls how when he joined ThoughtWorks in 2010, only engineers were considered essential, and designers were struggling to find a place. He comments that the talent to design from experience to prototype is a core skill, and one of the main reasons his former colleague went on to become CEO of Thoughtworks. “When I think of design, it's not like just designing products, it's designing processes,” Barry comments. “It's designing onboarding experiences for people, …to know what the needs are, and then to create a solution that creates this great experience.”  Career Strategy Lab Sarah shares her journey from UX consulting to building her education business, Career Strategy Lab, which helps job seekers and professionals find purpose, reward, and recognition in their careers. She describes the evolution of the lab, from creating online classes and in-person workshops to running a six-month career incubator. “We go through creating all kinds of the assets you need for your job search,” she tells Barry. “It's a joy to watch,” Barry remarks, “but also to see the results, creating social mobility for all these people, helping them figure out what they actually want to do and enjoy, and then actually creating better opportunities for them. It's tangible. Not many people get to build products where they really can see how they're helping their users.” Looking Ahead Sarah's new podcast, Career Strategy Podcast, is a strategic marketing move for her business. She plans to repurpose the podcast content to create social media content and she has designed a system to make this happen. She also talks about her upcoming book with Rosenfeld, The Product of You, and how she plans to use the podcast interviews as content for the book. A special message to listeners Nobody Studios is a new venture studio, co-founded by Barry, with the purpose of derisking pre-seed stage business ideas. Our goal is to create 100 compelling companies in the next five years. We believe we can achieve this by minimizing the time, speed, and capital required to validate truly repeatable and scalable business models before any significant venture investment. We're excited about radically changing how companies are built and funded, and even democratizing wealth creation. If you share our passion and want to contribute your talent, capital, or influence, we would love to hear from you! Contact us at: Nobody Studios | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest  Find full show notes at BarryO'Reilly.com Resources Sarah Doody on LinkedIn Career Strategy Lab | Career Strategy Podcast The Product of You

In this episode, Pascal Potvin (https://twitter.com/loves_pixels) and Mitchell Bernstein (https://twitter.com/mitchbernstein) chat with Sarah Doody (https://twitter.com/sarahdoody) who runs Career Strategy Lab, helping creatives land their next UX or Product job. She's hosting a live cohort course with Maven.com, on creating a standout resume & LinkedIn.

If you've ever considered joining CSL (or any career development program, really) you've likely wondered if it's for YOU. In this episode, Sarah shares reflection questions to ask yourself to help discern if investing in a program is right for you. 1:20: Today I want to invite you to consider three questions to ask yourself instead of this common question 2:14: In design, we rely on research to make decisions all the time, and it's smart. 2:44: There is probably no perfect case study. No perfect example I could give you that is going to fully convince you that this will work for you. 3:45: Everyone has different circumstances and skills and variables and strengths that. Impact how they got to their end result. 4:38: The 3 types of people we support in CSL. 5:38: How to get access to the 4C Training. 6:20 Imagine we're in a workshop together and I want this to be very interactive. So grab a piece of paper, pause this if you need to. 6:50 I want to invite you to take a moment and do a quick little career assessment, if you will, and think about your career story so far. 6:58: How did you get to where you are today? 7:45: Notice what comes up as you start to think and reflect on your career story so far. 9:18: Question number one is, what are other times in your life or career when you've taken on some type of challenge and come out successful on the other side? 9:56: Question two is what other projects have you started and actually gotten your desired result? 10:41: Think back and imagine how you felt when you actually did those things right? That's gonna give you some confidence that you can do hard and challenging things in the future. 10:54: The third question I want you to ask yourself is, what is an example of something else you've learned? 12:21: When you have evidence from yourself about you, that you have the right character traits to do stuff, and you combine that with the testimonials of people similar to you then I can say with confidence that Career Strategy Lab, or frankly any other program or thing you do in the future, it will likely work for you.

In episode 39 of The Product Design Podcast, Seth Coelen interviews Sarah Doody, Founder and CEO of Career Strategy Lab, a job search and career accelerator program for people in UX, tech, and product. Sarah started as a UX Researcher and Designer with different startups in New York City. She opened a research and design consultancy in 2012 and is now focused on career development and coaching with Career Strategy Lab.During our chat, Sarah shares how she strategically designed her career path and grew her network while honing a critical skill she believes launched her into her successful career! We also discussed Sarah's 3-part product strategy to propel your career path, and the top myth UX professionals believe about recruiters.During our interview with Sarah, you will learn:

In today's episode, I chat with Sarah Doody. Sarah is the Founder & CEO of Career Strategy Lab, a UX career accelerator that helps UX and product professionals navigate their job search and get hired without applying to hundreds of jobs. Professionals that have worked with Sarah have landed jobs at Amazon, Blue Origin, Home Depot, IBM, Microsoft, Salesforce, and more and on average, they increase their salaries by 40%.She is also a User Experience designer, researcher, and educator. Having worked in the UX industry for more than 18 years, she began her career by working at large corporations and startups before launching her own product design consultancy business in 2012.For more information on Sarah please visit www.careerstrategylab.com or www.sarahdoody.com. She can also be found on Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. We dive into what are the timeless skills that you need to excel in your career, how to go about creating a product roadmap for your career, and much much more.

One of the original course creators for General Assembly's UX Bootcamp in 2011, Sarah Doody has long held a passion for helping UX Designers learn the skills to grow their careers and increase their potential. Sarah is now the Founder and CEO of Career Strategy Lab, a job search accelerator and recruiting agency that helps you design your career and get hired without applying to hundreds of jobs. In this conversation, Sarah and Nadia discuss the evolution of Career Strategy Lab, Sarah's career pathway and founder journey, and share job search strategies and tips for designers.  Here's a look at our discussion: 0:00 : What is Career Strategy Lab?  5:10 : Sarah's background and career journey 7:18 : The evolution of Career Strategy Lab's curriculum 10:48 : Sarah's pricing strategy 16:06 : Designers as business builders & entrepreneurs 18:36 : Similarities and differences in job search strategies for junior and senior designers, and how to decide what job to take next 24:23 : Career Strategy Lab's recruiting services 28:18 : How Sarah calculates and balances her time as a founder & CEO 30:16 : Influencers for the Career Strategy Lab business model and how they're scaling the business 37:00 : How to get in touch with Sarah & Career Strategy Lab 44:00 : Next steps for Sarah & Career Strategy Lab Links mentioned in this episode: Career Strategy Lab Website Sarah Doody's Website Sarah's YouTube Channel Sarah's LinkedIn Profile

An interview with Sarah Doody. Sarah is a former UX practitioner and leader who started out trying to help UX pros with their portfolios before realising there's an even bigger problem to solve; how to help designers & product managers optimise for success and give themselves the best chance of getting that next career move. We speak about a lot, including: The origin story behind Career Strategy Lab, how they can help you get a new job, and whether it's just designers or everyone in the product trio That chicken & egg scenario when you can't get a job without experience, but you can't get experience without a job, and whether this is just something that affects PMs or hits designers too Whether UX job descriptions are any better than Product Management job descriptions and some of the reasons we have poor job specs and poor interviewing process How job specs are really just wish lists and the importance of actually reading them rather than just clicking "Quick Apply" to anything with a matching job title The importance of customising resumes, CVs and cover letters, why this sounds controversial, and how to make it scale Why it might be OK to interview for jobs that you don't actually want to get some practice, and the benefits of taking an MVP approach to your job application Whether ATS systems are really the gatekeeping problem that some people make them out to be, and the importance of making personal connections where you can And much more! A brief interruption from my sponsor - me! I'm terrible at asking for money but if you would like to throw any spare change at me to prevent me having to read out tiresome generic podcast ads, you can buy me a coffee. If not, I love you all anyway! Contact Sarah You can find Sarah on her personal website or check out Career Strategy Lab. Sarah is also active on Twitter.

The job market in tech is volatile. But there are factors within your control to land the gig you're looking for. In this episode, Sarah Doody - Founder & CEO of Career Strategy Lab - shares advice from years of talking with candidates, hiring managers, and UX teams. Hear what you can do to escape the all-too-common journey of 100 plus failed applications.

Most people—including product people—don't think of their career as a product. And even the best researchers often neglect to do the research to identify suitable roles and opportunities. The result? They stay in roles for too long, or accept one that simply doesn't align with their career goals, interest, or values. They burn out and feel stuck. Sarah Doody, Founder and CEO of Career Strategy Lab, joins us to share why you should start thinking of your User Research career as a product and how you can start doing so today. In this episode: How to treat your UX career like a product How to build (and follow) your career roadmap Managing the UX role application process --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/awkwardsilences/message

Sarah Doody at Career Strategy Lab™ helps UX graduates get hired. In this episode, she shares priceless tips on how to land the UX gig of your dreams. The bottom line? Writing is a superpower.Your portfolio is your best chance to show that you understand UX concepts. Just as in any UX project, it's best to write it before you design it. And you need to make sure you write for the target audience (the recruiter). In other words, UX writing is a career superpower. You'll also hear Sarah talk about:Impostor syndrome and what you can do about itHow to make the most of your non-UX experienceSalaries for UX jobs and how to ask for a pay riseAbout SarahSarah Doody is the founder & CEO of Career Strategy Lab™. She specializes in helping UX people create effective portfolios and resumes, articulate their experience, and get paid what they're worth.LinksFollow Sarah on LinkedInCheck out Career Strategy LabSarah's article How to write a UX case studyTry our free UX writing course

Sarah Doody joins us this week to talk about UX career and job search. She tells us about how we can benefit from treating our career like a product and gives many valuable advice to designers in search for their next role. Sarah is the founder and CEO of the Career Strategy Lab™. Articles and videos mentioned in the episode can be found right here: how to write a case study, how to create a UX resume and how to optimise your LinkedIn profile We are @UX_Maturity on Twitter and UX Maturity on LinkedIn — follow us there for the latest updates. New episode every Friday.

Sarah Doody gives her assessment of UX education, shares how she's helping UXers to have brave career conversations, and what it's really like being a creative entrepreneur. Highlights include: ⭐ Is the lack of standards in UX education a good thing? ⭐ How do you help people to have brave career conversations? ⭐ Does having a strong vision blind you from our customers' needs? ⭐ How do we help people to slow down and focus on problems first? ⭐ What framework have you used to understand your users better? ====== Who is Sarah Doody? Sarah is the Founder and CEO of Career Strategy Lab, the business she started in 2017 as a 45-minute lunch and learn, that has since grown into a leading career coaching company for user experience professionals. By helping her clients to develop career skills and confidence, Sarah's clients have secured jobs at companies including Google, Amazon, American Express, Home Depot, Harvard, Warner Brothers Entertainment and Salesforce. Sarah has been invited to give talks and to teach workshops all over the world, including across the pond at UX London, at Start Con in Australia and at Productized in Portugal, to name a few. ====== Find Sarah here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdoody/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahdoody Career Strategy Lab: https://www.uxportfolioformula.com/ Personal website: https://www.sarahdoody.com/  ====== Liked what you heard and want to hear more? Subscribe and support the show by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen). Follow us on our other social channels for more great Brave UX content! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TheSpaceInBetween/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-space-in-between/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespaceinbetw__n/  ====== Hosted by Brendan Jarvis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/ Website: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/brendanjarvis/

Sarah Doody, a UX Researcher, Experience Designer, and Founder of Career Strategy Lab, gets in a conversation with Alessio on what hiring managers at top brands are looking for, and how you can design your own career. YouTube videos of hiring managers Playlist of interviews with UX hiring managers: https://bit.ly/3JdyYPt How to write an effective LinkedIn headline: https://bit.ly/3NSgJmb Articles Should you choose a UX specialization or remain a generalist https://bit.ly/3Jd8iy3 How to write a resume that showcases your skills and experience https://bit.ly/3r4aqlw More advice by Balsamiq Wireframing Academy on how to get started in UX: https://balsamiq.com/learn/resources/advice-for-UX/.

How can UX designers position themselves to land the best suitable roles? Our guest today is Sarah Doody, UX researcher, designer and founder of Career Strategy Lab. You'll learn what companies look for when they are hiring designers, tips for crafting your portfolio, creative ways to scope projects before starting, and more.Download the MP3 audio file: right-click here and choose Save As.Podcast feed: subscribe to https://feeds.simplecast.com/4MvgQ73R in your favorite podcast app, and follow us on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts.Show NotesCareer Strategy Lab — Sarah's six month UX career acceleratorEpisode 42: Hiring for UX Positions with Sarah DoodyShopify, Gusto — examples of companies who build reputations as employersHelp! Is There a Cardiothoracic Surgeon in the Room? — an article by Jared Spool on T-shaped professionalsDon't Make Me Think — a book by Steve KrugFollow Sarah on TwitterFollow Sarah on InstagramSubscribe to Sarah on YouTubeToday's SponsorThis show is brought to you by Userlist — the best way for SaaS founders to send onboarding emails, segment your users based on events, and see where your customers get stuck in the product. Start your free trial today at userlist.com.Interested in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here.Leave a ReviewReviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a review on iTunes. Here's how.

Have you thought about your career lately? Chances are, you have - given the buzz around the record high voluntary resignation rates during this “Great Resignation.” In this episode, Sarah Doody, UX Researcher, Experience Designer, and Founder of the Career Strategy Lab, shares her thoughts on how UX professionals can design their ideal careers, whether they're in the market for a new role or not. Read more about Sarah Doody: Website (sarahdoody.com) Twitter (@sarahdoody) LinkedIn (/in/sarahdoody) Instagram (@sarahdoodyux) NN/g Resources on UX Careers: Jakob Nielsen: How to Start A New Career in UX (2-min video) UX Careers (free 90-page report) Growing in your UX Career: A Study Guide (article) Portfolios for UX Researchers (article) Interested in working with us? Apply to this posting by April 4th

Strategies on how to get hired for a UX position without applying to hundreds of roles How to make less mistakes by applying UX and Product Management principles to job search process How to create a portfolio not just with deliverables but articulating your decision making process behind that The importance of building connections with people in the field This episode's guest is Sarah Doody - founder and CEO of Career Strategy Lab

”Most people make the mistake of thinking design is what it looks like. People think it's this veneer — that the designers are told, 'Make it look good!' That's not what design is. It's not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works,” - Steve Jobs  In this episode, you''ll hear from Sarah Doody, a UX designer who has worked for the likes of Vice Media and Dow Jones. Today Sarah runs Career Strategy Lab, a school for UX designers.  Learning notes from this episode: "User experience design is how you interact with a product, whether it's digital, physical or a mix of both," Sarah Doody. When hiring a UX designer, think about the outcome that you want, rather than the process. E.g. Do you want a prototype to test an idea? Then you don't need the same level of attention to graphics as you would for a design you would give to developers.  If you want to transition into a career in UX design, your experience in another field can be the perfect way in. E.g. if you're a journalist and want to work in UX, you could begin by designing products for journalists. Check out Sarah's Career Strategy Lab and say hi to her on Twitter.   Join the Tech for Non-Techies membership community. As a community member, you'll get: Monthly coaching with Sophia Matveeva Live masterclasses with global experts Supportive Online Community Library of masterclasses Exclusive Resources & Perks Learn more and sign up at https://www.techfornontechies.co/membership   Say hi to Sophia on Twitter. Following us on Facebook and Instagram will make you smarter.