Episodes
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Tired of endless applications to big tech companies without any luck? This episode of The Career Strategy Podcast dives into industries outside of tech that are actively hiring for UX, product design, and tech roles. From health care to finance, education to retail, discover real data showing where job seekers are finding success.
Sarah talks through why these industries are ramping up their hiring and how your existing skills can transfer seamlessly. Plus, you’ll get tips on how to refine your resume, portfolio, and LinkedIn to stand out.
Listen in to get to know powerful strategies for tailoring your job search and hear exact companies that have hired within these fields. If you're a career switcher, this episode even covers how to leverage your past experience to gain an edge. Stop spinning your wheels and uncover new opportunities in growing fields.
Timestamps
00:00 Translate experiences; leverage resume, portfolio, LinkedIn.
04:49 Consider branching out from tech industry careers.
07:23 Diverse growth in health tech and fintech.
11:12 Ecommerce growth fuels demand for UX talent.
14:05 Fora Travel offers convenient travel planning services.
19:02 Explore niche job boards like BuiltIn, LinkedIn.
21:01 Follow, engage, and share the podcast.
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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.
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Missing episodes?
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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.
Timestamps
00:00 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.
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Are you falling into the trap of getting career advice from too many sources?
In this episode of The Career Strategy Podcast, Sarah explores why a piecemeal approach to job searches and career advancement can lead to confusion and wasted time.
Join Sarah to discuss the common mistake of piecing together advice from various sources, such as resume reviews, LinkedIn critiques, and one-off coaching sessions, and how this often results in disconnected and conflicting feedback.
After listening, we hope you consider a more holistic approach, where your unique goals and situation are taken into account.
Key Takeaways:
Avoid Conflicting Advice:Gathering input from multiple sources can lead to a lot of conflicting opinions and suggestions, leaving you more confused than when you started. A consistent approach can streamline your path.Tailored Strategy Matters:Just like in physical therapy, personalized plans are crucial. A piecemeal approach may leave you with disconnected advice that doesn’t take your specific goals and situation into account.Long-Term Cost Efficiency:While piecemeal services might seem cost-effective initially, the time and money you spend in the long run—without achieving your goals—can outweigh the benefits. A holistic, personalized approach can provide better ROI.Timestamps
00:00 Piecemeal approaches lead to disconnected and conflicting advice, causing confusion.
03:34 Why individualized professional help yields better results.
09:20 Sending your resume for reviews without providing context leads to conflicting feedback, causes costly rework and delays in job applications prolonging unemployment.
11:14 A piecemeal approach to job searching can be stressful and inefficient.
14:26 Career Strategy Labs' job search accelerator for its holistic approach.
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👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter
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Do you really need 3 to 5 projects in your portfolio before applying for jobs? Could focusing on quantity be a mistake? In today’s episode of the Career Strategy Podcast, Sarah explores why the quality of how you discuss your projects outweighs the sheer number of them.
In this episode, we'll discuss:
- Why “3 to 5 projects” is a myth
- Importance of storytelling in your portfolio
- How to highlight your thought process and impact
- Applying with just one strong project
- Actionable steps to strengthen your portfolio
Tune in to unlock strategies to boost your career and ensure your portfolio stands out to recruiters and hiring managers.
Timestamps
00:49 Quality over quantity matters in portfolios greatly.
05:20 Demonstrate your detailed thought process and decisions clearly.
09:09 Frame your portfolio as an engaging narrative.
10:44 Emphasize storytelling in your portfolio to stand out.
14:21 Prioritize quality over quantity; resources and templates available.
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🎁 Get your free e-book, The UX Career Roadmap
👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter
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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.
Timestamps
00:39 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.
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🎁 Get your free e-book, The UX Career Roadmap
👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter
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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.
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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 [email protected]
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👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter
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Ready to make your resume stand out? In this episode, Sarah walks through a 11-question checklist to transform your resume and boost your chances of landing that dream job. From making sure your bullet points start with engaging action verbs to tailoring your resume for each job application, these tips are straightforward and actionable.
You’ll learn:
Why columns might hurt your resume's chances in applicant tracking systems, and learn the importance of quantifying your achievements, even if the numbers aren’t huge. Why a one-page resume could be holding you backWhy adding space between bullet points is important and so much more…This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to polish their resume and make a strong first impression with recruiters and hiring managers.
Whether you're actively job hunting or preparing for future opportunities, this episode is packed with actionable advice to ensure your resume stands out.
Timestamps
00:49 Optimize your resume with these 11 questions.
04:31 Start resume bullet points with unique action verbs.
08:00 Quantify achievements with specific numbers on resumes.
10:11 Use job description titles for better matching.
15:11 Use action verbs and numbers; tailor resume.
17:30 Avoid columns; they confuse applicant tracking systems.
23:23 Avoid "final," AI-related terms in resume filenames.
24:41 Ensure resume readiness using this detailed checklist.
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👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter
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In today's episode Sarah shares an incredibly practical and efficient tip that's going to revolutionize your job search strategy: batching.
Sarah discusses actionable advice on how to group similar tasks to stay focused and save time, from updating your resume to networking on LinkedIn.
She walks you through different approaches and schedules for organizing these tasks & staying accountable through completion, whether on a weekly or monthly basis.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by your job search, this might be the game-changer you need to take control and reduce stress in your job search.
Timestamps
00:05 Unlocking career success, seeking impact, flexibility, growth, and fair pay.
01:51 Streamline your job search with batching; grouping similar tasks together.
04:05 Effective job search strategies.
06:22 Maximizing job application efficiency by batching cover letters and resumes.
07:18 Protect your calendar, schedule and stick to your job search plan.
08:10 Importance of planning & taking ownership of your calendar for accountability.
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Ever wondered if LinkedIn's "open to work" feature makes you look desperate? In this episode Sarah tackles that question head-on.
You’ll learn why professionals using the green "open to work" banner receive more recruiter messages and have higher chances of engaging with hiring managers.
Sarah also debunks some myths, explaining why being visible and proactive on LinkedIn can outweigh any potential downsides.
Whether you’re considering turning on the green banner or looking for more efficient ways to connect with recruiters, this episode offers valuable insights you won't want to miss.
Timestamps
00:22 LinkedIn's open-to-work feature debated; consider intentions.
04:38 "Open to work" boosts LinkedIn engagement significantly.
08:00 "Open to work” boosts LinkedIn job visibility.
12:22 Be cautious of LinkedIn advice, consider benefits.
Resources Mentioned
3 Tips To Announce You're 'Open For Work' On LinkedIn
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👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter
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Struggling with updating your UX portfolio? This episode of the Career Strategy Podcast dives deep into UX portfolios and offers practical tips for both seasoned professionals and those switching careers.
In this episode, you’ll discover the benefits of customizing your portfolio for each job application and why creating a presentation format might be your secret weapon. Sarah shares advice on aligning your projects with job descriptions, maintaining visibility, and dealing with company policies restricting showcasing your work.
Tune in to get strategies for breaking down large projects and understand the significance of making your work easy to digest for recruiters.
Whether you're a freelancer or job seeker, learn why making yourself visible on platforms like LinkedIn is crucial.
Timestamps
00:00 Updating resumes with years of experience challenges.
06:24 Customize your portfolio to match job description.
09:29 Tailor portfolio to recruiters, case study length.
11:21 Consider UX in all career-related materials.
14:33 Portfolio content: Quality over showing every step.
19:38 Increase visibility for job and freelance opportunities.
22:34 Adding work to your portfolio despite restrictions.
25:10 Conceal sensitive info when discussing healthcare projects.
27:34 Enhance portfolio, career coaching for UX professionals.
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👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter
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Struggling to get responses to your cold emails and messages? This episode of the Career Strategy Podcast dives into practical tips for improving your follow-up game.
In this episode Sarah explores why people might not reply and how you can increase your chances of a response without being annoying.
Sarah also breaks down a 5-day follow-up cadence and suggests experimenting with specific days and shares a simple and effective template for your follow-ups, ensuring you stay clear and direct.
Plus, Sarah shares a handy hack involving TextExpander to make your follow-up process quicker and less stressful.
Tune in to learn why you should stick to one communication channel and avoid bombarding your contacts across multiple platforms.
Timestamps
01:40 Set expectations, use GAIN framework for replies.
05:55 Limit follow-up to original communication method.
07:07 Create reusable email templates to expedite communication.
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👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter
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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.
Timestamps
03:20 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.
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Are you doing enough to stay ahead in your career?
In this episode Sarah discusses why you should always be applying, even if you're happy with your job.
You’ll learn the two main scenarios where this practice can make a difference and why it's important to apply for jobs right up until you start a new role.
Even if you’re comfortably employed, Sarah also shares the benefits of keeping your resume, LinkedIn profile, and interview skills sharp.
Tune in for actionable advice on how to take charge of your career and always be prepared for whatever comes next.
Quotables
“If you're in a job and you really have no plans on leaving, I think it's a very healthy exercise to explore other roles at different companies from time to time."
"It's not until you look outside of the confines of your current job that you realize: wait a sec, I really like the structure of this company's teams or these benefits or their salary or their job title or who knows what."
Timestamps
00:32 Always apply for job opportunities to grow.
04:45 Applying while employed helps gauge worth, reduces anxiety.
08:06 Use job search tools, set up alerts. Apply.
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In today's episode, Sarah addresses a crucial mindset shift for your job search: how your ability to communicate can be more important than your qualifications.
Often times professionals hyperfocus on their credentials but struggle to convey their value effectively.
Sarah explores common pitfalls in resumes and interviews, and actionable tips on improving your communication to boost your job search success.
Quotables
"Your qualifications don't matter unless you can communicate them, right?"
"If you're applying to jobs and not getting interviews it's more than likely a communication problem not a qualification problem."
Timestamps
00:15 Resume should have a clear elevator pitch.
03:15 Effective resume tips.
04:10 Self-audits and communication improvement on resumes and job search.
06:57 Aligned messaging during your job search.
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In today’s episode, Sarah shares how to include numbers on your resume, even if you think you don't have any.
Many people believe that only monumental achievements, like saving or making a million dollars, are worthy of metrics on a resume. But that's far from the truth!
This episode will walk you through a simple mindset shift from focusing on outcomes to showcasing your processes.
Sarah explores practical examples for various roles like user researchers and designers, illustrating how to quantify your work and make your resume stand out.
Ready to boost your career strategy and grab that dream job? Tune in.
Quotables
“When it comes to job applications, change your focus from outcomes to processes."
"Many designers say, for example, I created a design system. Well, great! But let's highlight the scope by telling people more about that design system."
Timestamps
00:53 Elevate your resume with relevant metrics.
01:39 Examples of process metrics for different roles.
04:34 Including numbers enhances the power of resumes.
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If you're someone with 10, 15, or even 20-plus years of experience in user experience or product roles, this episode is tailor-made for you.
Sarah breaks down how experienced professionals like you are still landing great opportunities in diverse industries, the crucial difference between settling and compromising in your job search, how overconfidence can mask underlying fears and why it's essential to embrace modern job search strategies to stand out and succeed.
Whether you're looking to climb higher in your current field or pivot to new opportunities, this episode is packed with actionable advice and real-life examples to help you strategize and thrive.
Quotables
"You have to communicate what you have done. You can't just rely on your qualifications."
"There is a difference between settling or sacrificing and compromise. And with compromise, you still have the power."
Timestamps
00:42 Career climbers: hiring, mindset, imposter syndrome tips.
04:28 Highlight accomplishments, not just qualifications, in resumes.
08:50 Recognizing bills, imposter syndrome, and career challenges.
10:27 Optimize career materials, LinkedIn; mindset essential.
📥 Join 46,000 people who read our free UX career tips newsletter
🎁 Get your free e-book, The UX Career Roadmap
👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter
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In today’s episode Sarah addresses a topic that affects nearly every job seeker: the Applicant Tracking System, or ATS. With so much misinformation and myths swirling around about how ATS works, Sarah spends intentional time cutting through the noise to give you the real story. She’ll break down what an ATS is, how it processes your resume, and why it's crucial to optimize your document for these systems. Sarah also shares actionable tips to increase your visibility to recruiters and hiring managers. If you're in the middle of a job search or gearing up for one, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate the complexities of the ATS and land your next role.
Quotables
“One of the myths out there is that the ATS is a robot rejecting people. And that is not totally true."
"You want to be customizing your resume for every job you apply to. Now that does not mean recreating it from scratch every single time. It could mean that you're just rewriting certain bullet points, reordering bullet points, maybe even removing bullet points to draw attention to the bullet points that are more relevant to that job you are applying to."
Timestamps
00:28 Applicant tracking systems organize and rank candidates.
04:01 Recruiters and managers make final hiring decisions.
08:37 Applicant tracking systems and self-ranking summary in hiring.
12:43 Understanding applicant tracking systems & its human impact.
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👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter
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In today’s episode Sarah shares valuable strategies for analyzing job descriptions in detail, so you understand how to highlight your most relevant skills and experiences.
You’ll learn practical tips for tailoring resumes and portfolios to catch a hiring manager's eye by emphasizing specific examples that match job requirements.
Sarah also addresses the challenge of being perceived as overqualified and offers insights on presenting yourself effectively regardless of extensive experience.
If you’re navigating a job search and wondering how to make your experience count, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help refine your approach and improve your chances of landing interviews.
Quotables
"It's not about your years of experience. It is about how relevant your experience is."
"Read and study the job description and look for things that they've mentioned that you have done and that you have stories to back up the fact that you've actually done those things."
Timestamps
00:38 Experience matters less, relevance is key.
05:11 Customize your resume, portfolio to match the job description.
07:55 Relevance over years of experience in hiring.
10:32 Tailor your approach, highlight stories, get interviews.
📥 Join 46,000 people who read our free UX career tips newsletter
🎁 Get your free e-book, The UX Career Roadmap
👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter
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