How a UX Researcher & CX Strategist is navigating an international UX job search

Intro: [00:00:00] Hey, I’m Sarah Doody, a user researcher and product designer with 20 years of experience. In 2017, I noticed something a little ironic. UX and product people, despite being great at designing experiences for other people, often struggle to design their own careers. That’s why I created Career Strategy Lab and this podcast to help you navigate your UX job search, grow in your current role, and avoid skill and salary plateaus all in a chill and BS free way.

So whether you’re. Stuck in your job search or wondering what’s next in your UX career. You are in the right place.

Erin Intro: Hey, this is Erin. I am one of the coaches inside of Career Strategy Lab, and I wanna let you know that this episode you’re about to listen to, number one, is awesome. And number two is actually from our open house. So in this conversation, you should know that there were other people on this call and there was a live audience.

So if some of the editing seems a little bit weird or abrupt, that’s why it should still make sense [00:01:00] for you. There’s so many gems of wisdom to grab from this episode, so we hope you enjoy, and if you do like this format where you really can get to know someone and learn more about their career journey, please let us know.

You can send Sarah a LinkedIn message, or you can email hello@sarahdoody.com. We love the feedback and we wanna create more of what you enjoy and find helpful. All right, let’s get into the episode.

General Intro

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Sarah Doody: invited people to share about their experience because I think it’s really valuable to hear, number one, from people at different stages in their career, but also at different stages of their experience with Career Strategy Lab.

And one thing you might be wondering is. How does career strategy work?

If everyone is following the same process, but one person has 10 years of experience and one person maybe has one year of experience or three or something like that. And one question we’re asked all the time is, how does this work [00:02:00] if I, and then insert whatever unique thing might exist about you.

Like you have a lot of experience, you don’t have enough experience, you feel like there’s just all these unique things about you and you wonder how does this consistent process, really our sprint process that we teach in career strategy, lab work, if you. Insert the blank, right? Insert the thing about you.

Mariah Intro

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Sarah Doody: Maria is in Atlanta. Um, User, a researcher with four years experience and then 10 plus years in customer support, client relations, et cetera.

General Q1

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Sarah Doody: but I wanna give of you a chance to tell us a little bit more about you, what you do where you’re at in your journey with Career Strategy Labs.

Mariah Sells: Okay. So I’m Mariah. I’m a user researcher and experienced strategist, and for the past four years I’ve been my own thing and consulting and specifically working with life [00:03:00] coaches, business coaches neurodivergent coaches, like people who are helping people group programs and one-on-one coaching programs.

So, that’s a little bit of background on how I came. Up into user research and experience strategy. I entered into CSL primarily because I was looking for roles in specifically in Copenhagen. That was just my end all, be all destination. Love it there. Uh, in order to be there, I need a work visa, a student visa or marriage.

So I figured the best route for me is going with the work visa. And that’s I’ve been full-time job searching specifically in Koch, in Hagen uh, decided to, to join CSL to help me out with that process. And I ended up wrapping up CSL the program on June 6th. Took about a a week celebratory vacation now am back on, on this call to share my experience, which I’m really excited to [00:04:00] do.

So thank you for inviting me.

Sarah Doody: we’re really excited to hear more about your journey and, you know, what you were able to achieve, not only like tangibly with your resume and portfolio and things, but also like shifts that maybe happen personally and where you are now versus where you are like in December or something like that.

Yeah.

General Q2

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Sarah Doody: I wanna switch gears a little bit and like rewind time and think about like, what was the state of affairs when it came to your job search and, or, you know, your career in general before you join Career Strategy Lab? Because just kind of to clarify some people join Career Strategy Lab, like proactively because they’re in a job search and they need help right now.

And other people join, happy in their job or they’re not actively looking for a job, but they join proactively to get stuff in order now so that if an opportunity [00:05:00] came their way or if a layoff happened or something, they would be ready to go.

Mariah A2

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Mariah Sells: I can do that also excuse me, I’m over caffeinated today and hyperverbal, so buckle up. Alright, we, we are

Sarah Doody: here for it. Okay.

Mariah Sells: So yeah, I came into career strategy lab after experiencing about, I think it was about a year and a half of job searching full time.

specifically with the idea of moving to Copenhagen, and I know somebody had mentioned like being interested in, in moving abroad and how this career strategy lab could potentially help with aspects of that as well. I might touch on that later, but came into career strategy lab because I was an extreme burnout.

I had been trying everything I possibly could on my own. I was like trying to game the system of like, you know, finding resources, figuring out, okay, what worked for other people. Let me find some inspiration from other people’s portfolios [00:06:00] and specifically around research. How do I, how do I implement the things that I’m seeing work for other people into my own materials?

And. I mean, I think everybody, whoever has created a portfolio before can understand the never ending cycle of portfolio iterations. And I had been doing that for 18 months and I was just at my wit’s end. And I ended up attending one of these an open house with a couple of alumni and really got a sense of like, okay, this feels right for exactly what it is that I’m needing right now.

Specifically talking about the mindset calls and the community aspect and feeling less alone in the job search process and learning from one another. And having that cookie cutter standard uh, structure, was really appealing to me because I was like. Chaos brain, just trying to figure out which spaghetti noodles stuck to the [00:07:00] wall.

And that was a recipe for burnout. So, I ended up signing up with CSL uh, also because the house that I attended had Steven on the call. And he ended up going into his own agency. And that was another selling point for me of seeing somebody else who’s done consulting, who went through the program and came out on the other side.

Also as a consultant, it doesn’t have to be full-time job seeking. So, that was like the major selling point for me and ended up joining. Really glad that I, did I say this? I’ve said it before. I’ll say it again. I recommend to like anybody who’s just entering into the job market. Getting involved in, in this type of program right away is so helpful and is like truly worth it in the long run.

From my perspective, from my experience being in the job search for so long without results. that having an impact on my mentality, that having an [00:08:00] impact on my energy levels and resulting in burnout and that’s not good for anybody to, to show up for the job search with. So, yeah, once I started CSLI got uh, immediately involved in the mindset calls, which made a ton of difference and I think that that is a huge thing that sets this program apart from anything else um, that I’ve come across.

So, props to the CSL team for that for sure. that is something that I would recommend to anybody just starting out in the program as well. And I, I, did I answer the question? Yeah.

Sarah Doody: I’m, I’m curious if you can say just like one or two sentences more about like, the mindset calls.

’cause people hear mindset and it’s one of those words, it’s like, are we sitting around like, you know, chanting or like visualizing or like, what does that actually mean? And it’s kind of like a catchall word, but we, we kind of differentiate the calls as like there’s a q and a call where it’s like, here’s a question about my [00:09:00] resume.

We’ll answer the question, we’ll move on. But how would you kind of describe like, what happens on the mindset calls?

Mariah Sells: coaches here up on the mindset calls as kind of being like a, a guide of almost counselor esque of asking the questions and helping ask deeper questions for you to come to your own conclusions.

that also plays a huge role in like. Uplifting self-confidence, self-esteem. It’s really uh, focused around like the challenges, the pain points, the hesitation points that we’re having as participants in this job search strategy. Mm-hmm. While at the same time uplifting and supporting and out all of the strengths and the opportunities and the window openings that we do have as unique individuals.

And so the mindset calls are like an open space for us to come and talk through these things and talk through them in a community space so that you’re not stuck in your head. And so you’re not ruminating on your own thoughts, you’re getting them out into the open, [00:10:00] you’re sharing them, you’re processing them and.

I don’t know about you, but as soon as I start reflecting on like my career journey, some uncomfortable emotions tend to pop up. And that it’s very helpful to be able to process those um, to week with a community. And knowing that like people show up through these calls as open or as closed as they want to, it’s, it’s a safe space to be able to chat through some of these things.

And the thing that I really recognized was you get out what you put in and this specifically the mindset calls. You get out what you put in. And the more that you show up, the more it encourages others to show up, the more that the community actively participates and thrives together. So I, I’ll be promotional [00:11:00] spokesperson.

Sarah Doody: No, we, we love to hear it because, you know, it’s, it’s one thing for me to sit here and like talk all about what happens, but it’s so different to hear, you know, from other people. So I think your perspective is so valuable and like to, to summarize with a super cliche quote or analogy, it’s like, have you ever heard that phrase, like a rising tide lifts all boats.

And I kind of roll my eyes every time I hear that, but it’s true. Right? Yeah.

General Q3

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Sarah Doody: feel like we could keep talking for like three hours here. We don’t have three hours unfortunately. And we’ve, we’ve talked a lot about mindset and, and confidence and feel free to, to add more points to that.

But our next kind of official question, maybe we can talk about like, thinking back to your initial maybe. Four, six weeks in career strategy lab. Like what are some examples of tangible things you did that you really in [00:12:00] hindsight, feel like were very impactful or very memorable or, you know, helped you feel more confident?

I’m not sure what, but kind of just switching from like mindset stuff to more, you came into CSL, there’s these five sprints.

Mariah A3

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Sarah Doody: what was your kind of initial take on the first couple of sprints and thinking back that far, does anything stand out to you?

Mariah Sells: Hell yeah. Yeah, so like coming into this from a state of burnout as well, like that, I can’t overstate that enough. Like I thought I was losing my marbles, like I felt like. the never ending job search, I was like, I feel like I’m super skilled in the job search, but am I, because I still don’t have an outcome?

Like all of that kind of thing. Versus like, you know, experiencing this, I felt this skill regression almost in, in what it is that I actually do because all of my [00:13:00] focus, all of my attention, all of my wheels were spinning around the job search itself. So, when I entered into career strategy lab and, and I also like, like I said, I first jumped into the mindset calls and that had the, like the most major impact on me showing up with motivation to do the actual coursework.

And. That very first sprint, the, the compass statement, the career roadmap again, like that was something that definitely also had an impact on my mindset, on my confidence, on my self-esteem related to being a researcher. Mm-hmm. Uh, Because I was able to reflect on, you know, I know who I am.

I, I’m very confident in knowing who I am, my voice how I show up my personality which is so interesting to, to reflect on that now [00:14:00] after coming into that sprint with this like really low self-esteem, kind of like the complete opposite of like, do I even know what I’m doing? Do I know who I am?

What is going on? The state of the world, it feels like everything’s on fire anyway. Just like so much going on in Mariah’s mind. So that career roadmap and the compass statement helped me to like, synthesize. It really did. It helped me to synthesize like everything that was going on in my head and to help me to, to really guide myself with the structure of the program and like mindset podcast the career roadmap and the Compass statement those.

Things specifically helped me the most throughout my journey of CSL, but also those are also the same things that I’m going to be like back to regularly, like long term. It’s not just a one and done experience. Like those are [00:15:00] really impactful for me forward. Like I’m gonna be using that in my own website, like in my own presentation of myself and, and helping to that be put into words and like a simplified uh, everybody as an individual is very complex and we have all of these desires and we have all of these experiences and, and things that we have faced over time and in our lives and how do we communicate that?

Professionally while balancing, also showing up as a human and connecting with people in our humanity, in our, our individual experiences. And so having that helps me to like also not show up robotically because when I was in that year and a half of job searching, I really felt like I lost myself in that process.

I felt like I had just become this [00:16:00] drone of like job searching, only trying to figure out the a TS light hack of how do I get through this system? And. I, I wasn’t like really doing anything inspired. And so that compass statement helped me to reinspire myself by connecting with myself, connecting with my inner voice, and to help me to feel confident in sharing that inner voice with people um, in a very human way in business and in like job searching.

Sarah Doody: I really like how you said, or how, I remember what, I think you said this like, I. It’s not a one and done type activity and how you plan to revisit a lot of this in the future. And, you know, it kind of reminds me of, of brands that have like brand style guides kind of, and the brand is always evolving and they’re needing to update the style guide, [00:17:00] et cetera.

And, you know, it’s, it’s a very similar right, or very similar thing, like how you communicate to other people about what you do, your strengths, et cetera. And in the same way that a brand evolves, you know, you’re evolving as a professional and as a human too. And I, I love hearing that you’re gonna revisit this on a, on a more regular basis.

Mariah Sells: like balancing that the personal. With the professional, I think has been something that I’ve really been able to get out of CSL and that is like mind blowing to me because I don’t, I don’t know that really comes from in me, but like I, I really witnessed myself like really transforming in how I show up on paper and how I show up in person and really bringing those two versions of me together.

Mm-hmm. To be Mariah in front of you now like that mm-hmm. [00:18:00] That going through this program helped me do that, which is like not, that was my unexpected outcome

Sarah Doody: Yeah. Yeah. Thank you for sharing. I think it’s, it’s really powerful for people to hear especially, you know, the point that you made about this being personal and professional.

’cause sure, everyone wants to tick the boxes of resume portfolio, LinkedIn, et cetera, et cetera. But kind of this unexpected byproduct is in doing all that, you, grow as a person. And I often say, you know, everyone wants confidence, but what people don’t realize is like confidence is the byproduct of action.

And a lot of the action you do in CSL helps generate that, byproduct of confidence.

General Q4

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Sarah Doody: All right, our last question, I think we’ll have time for, I, I think it would be great if we could hear just one piece of advice or wisdom or parting words that each of you have for everyone on this [00:19:00] call, and I will leave it super open-ended.

Mariah A4

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Mariah Sells: Okay. Yes. This is what I’m gonna say. Overthinkers perfectionists and information hoarders. Just do it. Just like keep showing up. Just do it. I think that that’s kind of the main takeaway that I have for myself. And any, like, what I would suggest to anybody who’s thinking of joining and was enough to join in I had six months access to the program. I know that typically it is a three month program. And so, I would also say like to, for the, for the three months to build in breaks as needed, but keep showing up and keep keep coming back to it. But breaks are needed as we are human and as we are processing all of the information, because it is a lot of information.

It’s good information, it’s useful information. But allow your brain to take some [00:20:00] breaks, allow your brain to take some rest so that you can keep showing up and so that you don’t get too stuck on the details in your own head. And take action instead.

Sarah Doody: Mm, great advice. Especially the part about taking breaks and taking time to recharge, right?

Because if you, if you sit down to work on this and your tank is that empty. It’s probably not gonna go well. Right. So, yeah. Thank you, Mariah. I can’t wait to visit you in Copenhagen sometime. I’ve never, never been to Copenhagen, so maybe this fall I’m gonna be in Europe a couple of times, so we’ll see.

Girl, we’re we’re

Mariah Sells: getting on there. Oh yeah.

Sarah Doody: I can’t wait. I’ve heard awesome things. Um,

Outro

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Sarah Doody: And you know, you, you also don’t just have the Career Strategy Lab team. You have our whole alumni community, which is 650 something or 70 something.

I don’t even know what. And so we, I didn’t set out to create a community, but I guess I am creating a UX community in addition to Career Strategy Lab because our alumni community is so [00:21:00] powerful. And these relationships continue long after, long after people end their time in Career strategy lab. And some of them have started to hire each other, which is mind blowing to me.

All right. Mariah, you so much for spending your afternoon a little bit with us. And that’s all. Thanks for joining us. Have a good day and rest of your day, evening, morning, wherever you are in the world.

Outro: Thanks so much for listening to the Career Strategy Podcast. Now make sure to follow so you don’t miss an episode, and you can check out all of our episodes@careerstrategylab.com slash podcasts now to learn more about how to apply UX and product strategy to advancing your career. Whether that means leveling up in your current role, getting a new role, getting freelance work, or just being ready for the unexpected, then I invite you to watch my free UX job search workshop@careerstrategylab.com slash hired.

And please feel free to send me a DM on [00:22:00] LinkedIn. I would love to hear from you.

Post Roll: Hey there. Before I go, I wanna speak to you specifically if you’ve applied to 50, 100, 200 or more jobs and you haven’t secured an offer or interviews yet. First of all, I want you to know it’s not your fault. It is challenging out there and learning how to navigate the job, search, interviews, negotiation, et cetera.

It is not something that we are taught. Your boss is too busy to help you. Your friends just give you vague advice. Your family doesn’t really know how hiring in UX works. This is why I created my career strategy lab, UX job search accelerator. If you are tired of your DIY approach. Not leading to the results you want, then I challenge you to consider.

Maybe it is time for a pivot, just like products pivot. Maybe your job search needs a pivot [00:23:00] too. So head over to career strategy lab.com/apply to learn more or have a call with someone on my team or myself so we can answer all of your questions. Hope to talk to you soon.