Career Strategy Podcast offers actionable tips and strategies to help advance your career, no matter what stage you're at.

What happens when a Senior UX Researcher with 15 years of experience suddenly gets laid off, and spends the next two years sending out applications, going through interviews, and hearing nothing back?

What did one job candidate say that led to a five-minute conversation about skiing before the interview even started, and made them instantly more memorable? It started with researching the interviewer before the job interview.

What do Procter & Gamble’s 1930s radio soap operas have to do with your UX job search? In this episode, we explore three powerful lessons from the original soap opera marketing strategy that UX and product professionals can apply to their job search.

Applied to 50, 100, 200 + UX jobs and not landed interviews? You're not alone, and the UX job market is not hopeless. This your UX job search intervention. 

If you’ve been applying to UX jobs and hearing nothing back, the problem might not be your skills, it could be your resume. Learn how to optimize your resume for the ATS so you stand out and stop being invisible

Jon had over a decade of experience as a Product Designer, but after being laid off, his UX job search stalled. He spent months stuck in a cycle of redesigning his portfolio (3 times), rewriting case studies, and questioning every career move.

Go behind the scenes of Sarah’s UX job search and uncover the shifts that helped her land a UX job faster than expected. Instead of endlessly tweaking her resume and portfolio, she changed her job search strategy and landed her dream UX job.

Getting promoted in UX doesn't happen by chance, it happens by design, which is exactly how a Senior Product Designer got promoted with a 37% increase in total compensation.

If you’re a UX professional considering freelance work, or already doing it but undercharging, you’re not alone. Many UX writers, product designers, and researchers struggle to identify their freelance UX rate and price their services competitively, often settling for lower rates simply because they don’t know what’s possible.

Navigating your UX job search alone might seem like the right move, but it often leads to hidden costs that can hold you back. In this episode, our host Sarah unpacks the real impact of going solo in your job search, from wasting valuable time to missing out on key…

Imagine moving to a new country, with no local professional network, and getting hired as a Principal Product Researcher in just a few months. This episode delves into the inspiring journey of Jane, who emigrated from China to the U.S. and remarkably secured a principal product researcher role at Whole…

The trend of UX career coaching cohorts is on the rise. If you're not familiar, cohort based courses, or CBCs, are structured programs where participants move through the curriculum on a set schedule with a group of peers, often with shared deadlines and milestones.

Tired of redesigning your UX resume for weeks or months without making any progress? Frustrated that your UX resume isn't leading to interviews? This episode explores why chasing the perfect resume may actually delay your UX job search.

Feeling stuck in a UX or Product role that isn’t taking you closer to your career goals? In this episode of Awkward Silences by User Interviews, Sarah shares how to treat your career like a product, offering strategic and intentional moves to advance your professional life.

In this episode, you'll hear how a Career Strategy Lab alumni, Steven Durgin, transitioned from uncertainty about his next UX career move to getting hired as a Design Researcher and then launching his own UX research agency, Affinity UX.

This episode highlights the journey of a seasoned UX specialist, and author of a popular UX book, who successfully navigated this challenge, landing a job with just one case study in his UX portfolio.

Many UX candidates miss the goal of a UX portfolio. UX portfolios don't lead to job interviews or job offers because the case studies read as though they’re selling a product to investors or internal stakeholders.

Feeling stuck in your UX or product career, despite decades of experience? You're not alone. In this episode, Kristin Kaineg, a seasoned UX professional, shares her inspiring journey of transitioning from a graphic design professor to a UX/UI role in a government contract.

Struggling with navigating your UX career? Ready to stop dreading Mondays and take control of your career? In this re-airing of an insightful interview from the Insights Unlocked podcast, the discussion dives deep into the realities of navigating a UX career over the next few years.

In this episode, we re-air Sarah's interview for the AIGA Design Podcast. Sarah Doody and AIGA podcast host, Lee-Sean Huang discuss practical insights on long-term career planning with a focus on treating your career as a product, also known as, The Product of You

Worried about getting hired in UX after an employment gap? This episode dives into real strategies that work, featuring Jaden, a Product Designer who successfully pivoted from apparel design to UX and landed a Senior Product Designer role after a year-long employment gap.

How do you go from being one of two hundred or more applications to receiving a UX job offer? You have to stand out in the UX Job Search Funnel and in this episode we'll explore the details of what the UX job search funnel is, the steps of the…

The episode also explores the importance of nurturing relationships both inside and outside your company. In-demand UX professionals know the value of networking and staying visible. Discover actionable advice on how to maintain meaningful connections and be proactive on platforms like LinkedIn.

Why do your cold emails to recruiters go unanswered? The answer lies in the name "cold emails." When you cold email recruiters you are a cold contact, a stranger in their inbox, which makes it extremely difficult to stand out.

Are you feeling stuck in your UX job search? Get ready to be inspired with this Career Strategy Lab success story. In this episode, Jamie O'Leary, a Senior Product Designer from Ottawa, Canada shares his journey of navigating a UX layoff and getting hired.

Not getting hired for UX jobs in big tech? Or, are you tired of working at big tech companies? This episode dives into the growing demand for UX roles in sectors like healthcare, finance, education, retail, and even travel.

How can a career coach who hasn't actually worked in UX be the secret to your UX job search success?  This episode dives into just that and answers a common question: why are the Career Strategy Lab (CSL) coaches not UX experts? Discover how the CSL program helps mid and…

Hear from Career Strategy Lab alumni Meg and Craig, who successfully landed new senior UX roles despite facing significant challenges. Hear their inspiring journeys of navigating back-to-back layoffs and regaining confidence in a competitive UX job market.

Are you falling into the trap of getting UX career advice from too many sources? Thought it may seem cost and time effective at the time, sometimes piecing together advice from multiple sources only leads to more confusion, information, and inaction.

How many projects should you put in a UX portfolio? It’s a common belief that you need 3-5 projects to start applying for jobs, but that’s simply not true. In this episode, we bust the myth that there’s a magic number of projects required. It’s the quality of your work…

Learn how Career Strategy Lab's 3-month job search accelerator can save you time and money, and in some cases maybe even pay for itself.

Are you debating if you should pause your job search until after the election? Discover why you should keep applying despite politics.

Optimize your resume with this 11 question checklist and ensure you avoid commonly overlooked mistakes so you can stand out.

Discover how batching can streamline your job search. Learn actionable tips to stay focused and reduce stress.

Discover why LinkedIn’s 'Open to Work' feature will not make you look desperate. This episodes dives into the origin of the 'Open To Work' feature, debunks myths, and gives you actionable advice to help yourself become more visible to recruiters and hiring managers so you can get more interviews and…

Struggling with updating your portfolio or resume? Listen in to our UX portfolio Q&A for practical tips and advice on writing effective case studies, tailoring your portfolio, and more.

Discover practical tips to ensure your emails get responses by effectively following up. Learn strategies for perfect timing, crafting concise messages, and using templates to save time.

Hear stories from UX professionals who've experienced firsthand the transformative impact of our program. Learn how Career Strategy Lab alumni have successfully navigated getting hired into new roles in the USA, Canada, and England.

Are you doing enough to stay ahead in your career? We dive into why you should always be applying, even if you're happy with your job.

Think your qualifications alone will land you that dream job? Discover why communication skills can be more crucial in your job search.

Learn how to effectively include numbers on your resume by shifting focus from outcomes to processes. Boost impact with tangible metrics!

Discover strategies for climbing higher in your career, from overcoming obstacles to effective communication and mindset shifts.

Think the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is just a robot rejecting your resume? It’s time to rethink that. We dive into what it really does.

If you're worried you have too few or too many years of experience as a candidate then it's time to shift your focus from the years of experience in your job search to the relevance of your experience when applying for jobs.

Learn what to post on LinkedIn to increase your visibility during your job search so you can stand out, showcase your expertise, and get more interviews.

Is Career Strategy Lab a scam? Join Sarah Doody as she addresses concerns and reveals the truth behind the program's success and other common questions we get about the program.

Learn how to handle large UX projects in your portfolio by breaking them into smaller tasks to apply for jobs faster.

Listen to the Episode Episode SummaryCurious about how the Career Strategy Lab critique process works? Get ready to transform your approach to feedback for your resume, portfolio, etc. This episode delves into the art of giving and receiving critiques on career materials. Career Strategy Lab coaches Erin Lindstrom, Becca Santilli,…

Want to stand out in your job search? This episode breaks down the AIDA framework, a four-letter method used by top companies to capture your attention and spark action.

Advancing your career, building new skills, and nurturing relationships doesn't need to feel overwhelming or like it's a full time job. Learn how to make time for professional development with these practical tips and strategies.

Hear from alumni about how Career Strategy Lab's personalized approach to the job search boosts confidence, optimizes resumes, and transforms careers. In this episode we'll chat with two Product Designers and a Senior UX Designer.

Have you been laid off? Learn how to navigate your job search with ease by following these 9 practical steps to help you avoid overwhelm and save time.

This episode dives into 4-part GAIN framework to help you write emails and messages people actually respond to.

Listen into a candid session from our weekly Career Strategy Lab Q&A calls, showcasing real-world dilemmas professionals like you face.

Cut through the networking noise with these simple, down-to-earth strategies for building meaningful career relationships.

Learn why LinkedIn is not for complaints and how to make a positive first impression. Get practical tips for constructive posting and success.

Gain insider insights on the hiring process, evaluating portfolios, leveraging LinkedIn in your job search and more with hiring manager and Director of UX, Cheryl Platz.

To advance professionally, you need to be the CEO of your career. Let's face it, your boss or manager can give advice, but there's a difference between advice and action. In this insightful episode, Erin Lindstrom, a seasoned CEO and coach, reveals the strategies for becoming the CEO of your…

What is career compound interest? In this episode, we explore the concept of compound interest in your career, drawing parallels between investing money and investing in your career. We learn how small moves today can lead to long-term professional success.

Your portfolio isn't just a showcase of your work—it's a sales tool.  In this episode, you'll learn how to create a portfolio that stands out by focusing on your benefits, not just your features as a candidate. Dive into the psychology behind sales and how it can transform your career…

What format should your UX portfolio be? Learn how to make a strategic choice that resonates with potential employers & helps you stand out.

Learn how first impressions people have about you are directly related to whether or not you sweat the details in your day to day role, job search, or any scenario.

Feeling worried about explaining career breaks in your resume? You're not alone. We debunk the myth that work history gaps are a red flag.

Explore the job search process, from establishing your career value criteria to networking and handling rejection effectively.

Learn how to deal with ghosting in your job search with practical tips to help you reframe ghosting and what you can do to minimize it by strategically following up.

Discover practical tips for improving post-interview visibility and making a lasting impression in your job search.

Feeling career overwhelm and unsure what to do next? This episode offers 2 questions to help you regain control and make intentional decisions.

This episode is designed to help you reflect on the past year and set intentions for the year ahead so you can have more clarity and focus on your career in the year to come.

Overcome Imposter Syndrome with actionable mindset advice and strategies on the Career Strategy Podcast with CSL coach Erin Lindstrom.

Listen in to Sarah Doody's guest appearance on the Ironhack podcast where she discusses strategies for building a UX portfolio to get hired.

Unlock effective strategies to streamline your job search. Join Sarah on the Honest UX Podcast to learn how to stop applying for hundreds of jobs.

Explore the journey into UX design, career satisfaction, education, & skill-building with Sarah Doody's guest appearance on the NNg Podcast. This popular episode originally aired in May 2022.

Discover how CSL alumni Melody went from dreaming about a career in art to landing her ideal job in UX design with Career Strategy Lab.

Overcome job search fears and boost confidence with insights and strategies from Career Strategy Lab alumni Laura, Malavika and Carlos.

From a start up to a dream job, get inspired by a Career Strategy Lab alumni's journey from layoffs to landing her ideal role.

Discover how creating a LinkedIn strategy can make you more visible to hiring managers and the LinkedIn algorithm.

Is it a myth or fact that recruiters spend six seconds on your resume? While it's true that recruiters face a high volume of resumes, the key to get them to spend more than six seconds on your resume is to give them a reason to. To stand out and…

Unlocking a successful career switch can be a challenging task, but it's not impossible. Rather than casting a wide net and hoping for the best, people switching careers or advancing their careers need to look at a strategic advance they have.

Are you tired of receiving conflicting career advice that leaves you feeling confused and wasting time? In this episode of the podcast, we explore the importance of vetting career advice and knowing who to trust.

Find out how to start your job search when you’re brand new to UX, the importance of your portfolio, and more.

Ever feel like you are drowning in information about how to advance your career and get unstuck? If you're honest with yourself, your quest for the magic solution, tip, or trick hasn't worked yet ... which is why you're on this webpage!

Not sure what to do if your job offer is rescinded or how to respond? Here's what you need to think about if your job offer is withdrawn and what steps you can take.

From switching careers to finding the job of her dreams, our latest episode features an insightful interview with Senior UX Researcher Katie Miller.

Spoiler alert, your resume does not need to be one page. In this episode, we debunk the myth of the one page resume. Host Sarah Doody dives into why this outdated advice can actually hinder your chances of landing interviews and advancing your career.

Let's face it, rejection is a common part of the job search journey. But here's the thing: rejection doesn't define your worth as a professional. Learn practical ways to handle rejection and turn it into a growth opportunity.

Unlock the secrets of how to research company culture before you apply for a job. We share tips to help you make informed decisions.

Playing the numbers game in your job search is not a good strategy because it leads to more rejections and less success. Discover why applying to a large number of jobs can be detrimental to your mental health and overall job search experience.

Did you know that 85% of jobs are found and filled through relationships and word of mouth? This statistic highlights the significance of building and leveraging connections in your job search.

Looking for a job can be overwhelming, but before you apply for a job, there's one crucial thing you should do. Most candidates don't consider what exactly they are looking for in their next role and how a job might set them up for future success in their career. 

Discover a common mistake to avoid when crafting your LinkedIn headline and learn how to write a headline that doesn't sound like every other candidate so you catch the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.

Feeling stuck in your career? Unsure of how to move forward and get unstuck? In this episode of the Career Strategy Podcast, we explore three powerful questions that can help you navigate your current situation and create a plan for the future. We take you through a step-by-step process to…

Are you feeling burnt out from your job search? You're not alone. In this episode, we tackle the issue of job search burnout and provide you with three practical tips to help manage and minimize it.

Discover how to optimize your LinkedIn profile and effectively use the platform to enhance your job search. This episode tackles common LinkedIn mistakes made by job seekers and provides actionable tips to stand out from the crowd with a strong LinkedIn headline and about section.

You've finally received a job offer! But before you jump in headfirst, you need to figure out how to decide whether you should accept the job offer or not and if it's right for you. In this episode, we dive into the factors beyond salary and job title that can…

Discover the job search strategy that will set you apart from other candidates that goes against one of the most popular job search tips out there. Join us as we delve into why the numbers game leads to candidate burnout and rejection in the job search.

Struggling to make it past the second job interview? Discover the significance of verbal delivery, confidence, and body language in creating a positive impression during interviews.

Looking to stand out in your job search? In this episode, we dive into the minds of hiring managers and recruiters to uncover what they really want to hear and how you can increase your chances of landing that dream job.

The tech industry is not only about big-name companies like Amazon and Google. Many lesser-known companies in sectors like healthcare and ecommerce are desperate for skilled tech professionals.

Investing in your career, and your future, is a big decision. In this episode of the Career Strategy Podcast, we dive into three crucial questions you need to ask yourself before making any big decisions about investing in your career. Whether you're a career switcher, climber, or launcher, these questions…

Forget endlessly rewriting your resume or portfolio – the key to advancing further in interviews lies in connecting the dots between your work experience and the job you're applying to. We delve into how to craft a compelling career story that showcases your skills and resonates with recruiters and hiring…

Tired of feeling stuck and lacking confidence in your job search? In this episode, we tackle the age-old question of how to build and maintain confidence for the job search. Whether you're a career switcher, climber, or launcher, we've got you covered.