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

Apple's iconic marketing helps it stand out because it emphasizes it's benefits, not just features. Instead of just listing every feature of it's products, Apple leans into the benefits. And this tactic, is also how you can stand out as a candidate in your job search.In this episode, we'll use resume examples to show how you can highlight your benefits, and not just your responsibilities and features. .What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why listing responsibilities makes your resume blend in (not stand out)✔️ How to turn “feature” statements into compelling benefit-driven bullets✔️ The marketing lesson Sarah borrowed from Steve Jobs✔️ Real before-and-after examples from UX candidates✔️ Why identifying and believing your own value is step #1✔️ How to infuse your unique benefits across every career “touchpoint”Timestamps:00:40 The Importance of Focusing Beyond Responsibilities02:35 Understanding the Product of You04:32 Communicating Benefits Over Features05:43 Real-World Examples of Benefit-Focused Statements09:10 Becoming a Benefit-Focused Candidate18:52 Recap and Final Thoughts21:16 Conclusion and Additional Resources22:04 Special Message for Job Seekers💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

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 | InstagramWondering how to stand out in UX without burning out? Former technical recruiter Ellie shares her story of switching into product design—and how Career Strategy Lab helped her get her confidence back.In this episode, Sarah interviews Ellie, a former technical recruiter turned UX designer, who joined Career Strategy Lab while navigating new motherhood, burnout, and the unpredictable job market. Despite landing interviews, Ellie felt stuck—and knew she needed a structured, supportive way to rebuild confidence and stand out.You’ll hear how she overcame perfectionism, reframed her job search, and built career habits that now extend beyond her portfolio and into her life.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why Ellie left tech recruiting to pursue UX—and doesn’t regret it✔️ What made her say “yes” to CSL (and why she wishes she joined sooner)✔️ How the Compass Statement gave her clarity and saved her time✔️ The unexpected life shifts that came from doing the work with intention✔️ Tips for breaking perfectionism and building habits that stick✔️ What it’s like to join CSL while navigating new parenthood and burnoutTimestamps:00:00 Introduction to Career Strategy Lab00:38 Episode Overview and Open House Context02:23 Meet Ellie: From Technical Recruiter to Product Designer05:19 Ellie's Career Journey and CSL Experience09:16 The Impact of Career Strategy Lab18:47 Advice and Final Thoughts21:32 Conclusion and Next Steps⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.🔔 Follow & Subscribe for weekly strategies and stories to help you grow in your UX career—without the burnout.💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Still waiting for recruiters to notice you? One small change to your LinkedIn profile could change everything.In this episode, Sarah shares a real story from a workshop attendee who updated just one line of their LinkedIn profile and got five solid recruiter leads within 24 hours. You’ll learn what part of your profile to focus on (hint: it’s the headline), how to write it in a way that stands out, and why clarity and positioning matter more than lofty statements like “designing for impact.”Plus, Sarah breaks down the three-part UX job search strategy you need to attract the right opportunities, without burning out, second-guessing, or rewriting your portfolio 100 times.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ The one LinkedIn section that has the biggest impact on recruiter outreach✔️ Why most UX job seekers get their headlines totally wrong✔️ How to apply product strategy thinking to your career✔️ The 3 essential UX job search strategies: Design, Marketing, and Sales✔️ What happens when you’re missing even one of those strategies✔️ How to stand out in a sea of qualified candidates (without starting from scratch)Additional Resources:Episode 18: Avoid This Mistake When Writing Your LinkedIn Profile headlineUX Job Search WorkshopTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and Purpose00:38 The Power of LinkedIn Optimization01:27 Understanding the UX Hiring Process02:45 Crafting a Standout LinkedIn Headline05:33 Three Key Strategies for UX Job Search07:27 Invitation to the Workshop08:10 Final Thoughts and Encouragement09:29 Conclusion and Additional Resources10:09 Special Message for Struggling Job Seekers💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

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 | InstagramLaid off and wondering if you’ve “missed your shot”? This story will change how you think about career momentum.In this Open House conversation, Sarah sits down with Manny, a senior UX designer who transitioned into UX after a decade in graphic design and just landed a role at Fidelity. After getting laid off and spending weeks spinning his wheels, Manny joined Career Strategy Lab to bring clarity, structure, and confidence back to his job search.In this honest and insightful conversation, Manny shares what helped him rebuild momentum, how the Compass Sprint shaped everything from his resume to interviews, and why he wishes he’d joined sooner.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ How Manny landed a UX role at Fidelity after being laid off✔️ The single most valuable CSL exercise (that he didn’t expect)✔️ Why clarity leads to faster progress across your materials✔️ How the Compass Statement helped him shape his story and stand out✔️ Why applying early in your job search saves you time, money, and confidence✔️ How to make the most of CSL—whether you’re employed or notTimestamps:02:28 Meet Manny: A UX Designer's Journey03:51 Navigating Job Search Challenges06:16 The Impact of Career Strategy Lab12:27 Advice for UX Job Seekers14:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts15:07 Podcast Outro and Additional Resources15:47 Special Message for Job Seekers⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.🔔 Follow & Subscribe for weekly strategies and stories to help you grow in your UX career—without the burnout.💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Feeling overwhelmed by how much UX experience you have, or unsure how to translate it in today’s UX job market? This episode is for you.In this episode, Sarah talks with Chris Griffith, a UX professional with over 30 years of experience, about what it really takes to re-enter the job market after a long stretch at one company. Chris shares how he used Career Strategy Lab to reframe his story, create momentum, and build a complete suite of job search materials—from resume to portfolio—without burning out.From tending his “career garden” to turning hikes into problem-solving sessions, Chris offers powerful reminders that progress isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention, space, and support.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ How Chris navigated a layoff after 9 years at the same company✔️ What helped him stay focused and finish his portfolio without burnout✔️ Why the LinkedIn sprint was a game-changer for getting found✔️ The mental shift that helped him stop over-explaining and start storytelling✔️ How nature and structure kept his confidence high and mindset grounded✔️ His top tip for anyone thinking about joining Career Strategy LabTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome00:16 Meet Sarah Doty: Your Career Guide00:54 Episode Overview and Open House Context01:38 Chris's UX Journey: From CD-ROMs to Career Strategy Lab04:05 Navigating Job Search Challenges06:49 The Importance of Diligence and Balance07:21 The Healing Power of Nature08:39 Career Strategy Lab Sprints: A Deep Dive11:54 Final Tips and Encouragement13:03 Conclusion and Farewell13:19 Podcast Outro and Additional Resources13:59 Special Message for Job Seekers🎯Want to learn more about the critiques, community, coaching calls, and everything inside Career Strategy Lab? Apply or learn more.⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Worried your career break in UX has made you unemployable? Let’s talk about what’s actually holding you back.In this episode, Sarah tackles a concern she hears constantly: “Did my career break ruin my chances of getting hired in UX?” Whether you took time off for caregiving, burnout, travel, or health, this episode will help you stop spiraling and start focusing on what really matters, your story.You’ll learn the 3 strategies every UX job seeker needs (Design, Marketing, Sales), how to tell if you’re missing one, and why the story you're telling about your break matters more than the break itself.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why your break isn’t the problem—but your story might be✔️ What “terminal uniqueness” is and how it keeps you stuck✔️ The 3-part strategy you need to get hired (and how to know what’s missing)✔️ How to shift from self-doubt to clarity in your job search✔️ Why visibility and connection matter more than perfection✔️ How to rebuild your momentum with intention—not burnoutTimestamps:00:38 The Impact of Career Breaks on UX Careers00:56 The Importance of Your Personal Story in Job Searches01:22 Addressing Career Break Concerns03:37 LinkedIn's Career Break Feature05:28 Three Essential Strategies for UX Candidates09:53 Identifying Gaps in Your Job Search Strategies12:23 Building and Leveraging Professional Relationships16:51 Final Thoughts and Workshop Invitation18:35 Conclusion and Additional Resources⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Think your UX background is too different to get hired? That mindset might be the real problem. In this episode, Sarah discusses the concept of terminal uniqueness, the belief that your career path is so unusual or messy that none of the strategies that work for others could possibly work for you. Whether you’ve been freelancing, pivoting careers, or have decades of experience, this mindset could be holding you back far more than your resume.You’ll hear real-world examples of how terminal uniqueness shows up, why it's so common (especially in UX), and what to focus on instead so you can finally move forward with clarity and confidence.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ What terminal uniqueness is—and how it sabotages your job search✔️ Why your unconventional path is not the problem (your mindset might be)✔️ How to reframe your “messy” UX story into your biggest asset✔️ Why recruiters and hiring managers aren’t looking for a perfect path✔️ The role of strategy, structure, and storytelling in getting hired✔️ How Career Strategy Lab helps you own your story and communicate it clearlyTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and Background00:38 Understanding Terminal Uniqueness03:12 Examples of Terminal Uniqueness04:50 Overcoming Terminal Uniqueness06:54 Communicating Your Unique Story08:11 Career Strategy Lab Overview14:49 Final Thoughts and Encouragement16:58 Podcast Outro and Additional Resources17:37 Special Message for Job Seekers💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

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 | InstagramTired of vague AI tools that spit out generic resume rewrites and surface-level portfolio tips? Meet the smarter alternative.In this episode, Sarah shares the behind-the-scenes strategy behind Sage—the AI agent exclusively available inside Career Strategy Lab—and why it’s already helping job seekers finish their resumes, portfolios, and LinkedIn profiles faster without sacrificing clarity or confidence.You’ll learn why this tool is more than just a shortcut—it’s a UX-informed, coach-trained experience designed to get you unstuck and back into momentum, 24/7.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ The two problems most UX job seekers face: info overload + execution overwhelm✔️ Why most AI job search tools fail (and how Sage is different)✔️ How Sage is trained on CSL’s proven curriculum and thousands of real conversations✔️ Why context-specific feedback beats ChatGPT every time✔️ How CSL members are using Sage to move faster and stop second-guessing✔️ The one mindset shift that will help you use AI effectively in your careerTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and Common Job Search Struggles00:46 Introducing Career Strategy Lab's AI Tools02:01 Why UX Professionals Struggle in Job Searches02:39 The Problems Our AI Tools Aim to Solve06:53 How Our AI Tools Work13:58 Demo of Sage, Our AI Agent27:51 Benefits of Using Sage29:36 Conclusion and Call to Action🎯Want to learn more about the critiques, community, coaching calls, and everything inside Career Strategy Lab? Apply or learn more.⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.🔔 Follow & Subscribe for weekly strategies and stories to help you grow in your UX career—without the burnout.💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

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 | InstagramFeel like you’re doing everything “right” and still not getting anywhere? You might be saying yes to too much—and it’s slowing you down.In this episode, Sarah shares how one of Steve Jobs’ greatest strengths—his ability to say no—has shaped the design of Career Strategy Lab and her own career choices. You’ll hear how saying no to shiny objects, distractions, and opportunities that seem exciting on the surface actually leads to deeper results, more momentum, and a better UX for job seekers inside CSL.Whether you’re applying to every job that pops up, overcommitting to upskilling, or trying to be everything to everyone, this episode is a reminder that focus is a strategy—and saying no is a skill.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ What Steve Jobs’ product philosophy can teach you about your UX career✔️ How Sarah decides what to say no to in her business—and why it matters✔️ Why not doing “all the things” actually creates better outcomes for clients✔️ The trade-offs you’re making every time you say yes✔️ How saying no led to CSL’s newest AI tool + all-in-one experience✔️ 3 reflection questions to help you narrow your focus and move forwardTimestamps:01:50 Steve Jobs' Focus Strategy03:55 Applying Focus in My Career08:01 The Importance of Specialization11:47 Real-Life Examples of Saying No13:28 The Ripple Effect of Focus17:50 Final Thoughts and Career Advice20:07 Conclusion and How to Connect⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.🔔 Follow & Subscribe for weekly strategies and stories to help you grow in your UX career—without the burnout.💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.

Feel like your UX experience is too complex to explain—or too chaotic to package into a clear story? In this open house interview, Steve Sanshwe shares how he went from a chaotic job search and overwhelming case studies to landing a Principal Product Designer role—faster than he expected and at a higher level than he applied for.Steve explains how he used the Career Strategy Lab to reframe his experience, clarify his story, and attract the right roles (without redesigning his resume 10 times or burning out in the process). Whether you’re drowning in too much experience or unsure how to stand out, Steve’s journey offers practical takeaways and proof that progress—not perfection—is what moves the needle.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why Steve finally stopped rewriting the same case study and joined CSL✔️ The mindset shift that helped him clarify his story and build confidence✔️ How reframing your portfolio can attract better-fit opportunities✔️ Why he landed a higher-level role than he applied for✔️ How he used his Compass Statement to own the interview✔️ Why saying “no” to the wrong roles helped him find the right one—fastTimestamps:01:00 Episode Context and Audience02:09 Steve's Career Journey and UX Experience05:26 The Impact of Career Strategy Lab11:32 Iterative Process and Sprints16:52 Final Tips and Conclusion19:02 Closing Remarks and Podcast Information⭐ Support the show! Leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts to help more UX professionals find this podcast.🔔 Follow & Subscribe for weekly strategies and stories to help you grow in your UX career—without the burnout.💸 See how I help UX & Product people get 5-figure salary increases in my UX job search coaching program👋 Follow me, on LinkedIn, Instagram, & YouTube.