Let’s dive into the hotly debated topic of portfolio formats. In this episode, Sarah provides valuable insights into the strategic considerations that professionals should keep in mind when considering how to put together their UX Portfolio.

Sarah discusses the pros and cons of website portfolios versus presentations and explores crucial factors to consider, such as time, cost, customization, user experience, and accessibility.

This episode is a valuable guide in making informed decisions about your portfolio format. Tune in to gain a fresh perspective on this critical aspect of your career development journey.

00:00 Choose portfolio format strategically for the best reception.

05:34 Portfolio not for learning code, consider costs.

07:58 Customize portfolio to match each job's requirements.

12:07 Use job application portfolio for interview presentation.

16:02 Portfolio on website for job opportunities unlikely.

18:38 Follow Sarah Doody on social media, share.

🎬 Watch Sarah's free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in today's UX job market

👉 Join Sarah Doody's Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

✨Reminder → Enrollment's open for our 3-week UX Portfolio Sprint. Doors close on March 22 or when seats are sold out!

In this episode of the Career Strategy Podcast, Sarah explores a crucial aspect of the job search process: attention to detail.

Drawing inspiration from a surprising source—the band Van Halen's infamous "no brown M and M's" contract clause—Sarah highlights the importance of demonstrating attentiveness in the job search. Through anecdotes and examples, she illustrates how failure to pay attention to crucial details can speak volumes to potential employers.

With actionable advice and thought-provoking insights, this episode offers valuable strategies for job seekers to elevate their approach and stand out in a competitive job market. Tune in as Sarah Doody shares valuable lessons on the power of attention to detail in the job search.

Timestamps

01:15 How to stand out in the job search

03:24 Testing attention to detail with Brown M and M's.

05:35 Secret words in instructions

06:09 Attention to detail is crucial in job search.

08:41 Thanks for listening, see you next time!

🎬 Watch Sarah's free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in today's UX job market

👉 Join Sarah Doody's Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

Reminder → Enrollment's open for our 3-week UX Portfolio Sprint. Doors close on March 22 or when seats are sold out!

Feeling worried about explaining career breaks in your resume? You're not alone. In this episode, we debunk the myth that work history gaps are a red flag to hiring managers.

With insights from LinkedIn's research, we show how normalizing these breaks is increasingly accepted.

In this episode:

➡️ Discover how LinkedIn's career break feature can help you openly represent time off and translate the skills gained during your break to potential employers.

➡️ Learn why embracing your career journey, from caregiving to dealing with pandemic waves, is an asset.

➡️ Dive into why it's crucial to align with companies that value your experiences, and how to spot these opportunities.

Ready to reframe your perspective and feel empowered about career breaks? Then this episode is for you.

Share it with someone who might be worried about their breaks too!

00:00 Gaps in resume are not a red flag.

05:10 Value career breaks, don't hide them.

07:07 Pandemic normalized career breaks, shift mindset, share.

🎬 Watch Sarah's free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in today's UX job market

👉 Join Sarah Doody's Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

Reminder → Enrollment's open for our 3-week UX Portfolio Sprint. Doors close on March 22 or when seats are sold out!

Welcome to episode 55 of the Career Strategy Podcast which is a compilation of Sarah’s Job Search Series!

Navigating a job search can feel like a lonely journey, but it doesn't have to be. In this episode, we unpack practical strategies to refine your job hunt and stand out to employers. We start by exploring the importance of defining your "career value criteria" (CVC)—a personal checklist beyond job title and salary that includes factors like company culture and growth opportunities. Get insight on making intentional choices, tapping into your community for better job leads, and why quality trumps quantity in your applications.

Facing rejection? In this episode you’ll earn how to turn setbacks into growth and recognize when to tweak your approach. Instead of sending out masses of resumes, find out how targeted communication with key people can open doors that job boards can't. And when it comes to interviews, we discuss how presenting your past projects effectively can make all the difference.

Let’s dig in to how creating genuine connections within companies is crucial, not just for the job at hand, but for your career trajectory. If you're feeling bogged down by the job search process, this episode offers fresh perspectives and actionable advice to keep you grounded and moving forward.

00:00 Define career value criteria to guide job search.

09:28 Consider company culture, growth opportunities, and travel.

10:55 Define career value criteria to streamline job search.

20:00 Strategic, clear, concise, and friendly cold emailing.

23:52 Leverage LinkedIn for networking and job opportunities.

30:42 Focus on impactful activities, build relationships, customize.

34:33 Pause, review career materials, focus on quality.

40:36 Companies use social media to attract talent.

48:04 Ensure your application materials create strong first impression.

50:40 Reflect on what's working, focus on improvement.

01:01:08 Find community support to navigate career challenges.

01:02:52 Reflect on job search, grow beyond rejection.

🎬 Watch Sarah's free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in today's UX job market

👉 Join Sarah Doody's Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

Today's episode of The Career Strategy Podcast delves into the topic of ghosting in the job search, shedding light on why it happens and how to cope with it.

In this episode, Sarah shares a story from a restaurant manager's perspective, emphasizing that ghosting isn't a one-sided issue and is often not intentional.

This episode offers practical advice, encouraging listeners not to take ghosting personally, and to take proactive steps to gather context and follow up with potential employers.

00:00 Dealing with ghosting in the job search.

03:49 Ghosting may not always be intentional in hiring.

07:54 Follow up for information, keep it concise.

12:34 Control negative thoughts, focus on what's manageable.

13:45 Reframing ghosting in the job search.

🎬 Watch Sarah's free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in today's UX job market

👉 Join Sarah Doody's Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

To follow up or not follow up after a UX job interview? Most people send a cookie cutter “thank you” and hope for the best. But in today’s competitive UX and Product job market, that’s not enough.

Your job interview follow-up message isn’t just a formality, it’s an opportunity to stand out from the sea of other candidates who disappear after the call.

A thoughtful UX job interview follow-up email can keep you top of mind, reinforce your value, and even spark a second conversation that moves you closer to an offer.

In this episode, Sarah Doody, shares a simple, strategic way to follow up after UX job interviews that doesn’t feel forced or generic, and takes less than 5 minutes to do.

Topics discussed in this episode:

- Why visibility after a UX job interview is just as important as before

- What most people get wrong about thank-you notes

- How to avoid sounding generic (or like ChatGPT wrote it for you)

- A powerful way to personalize your follow-up

- How to “extend the life” of the job interview

- What to listen for during the job interview to use later

- Why follow-up emails can lead to asynchronous conversations

- A 2-minute post job-interview habit to set yourself up for success

Key Timestamps:

00:00 - 00:45: Intro

00:46 - 02:10: Why visibility doesn’t stop after the job interview

02:11 - 03:40: Why generic job interview follow-up messages don’t work

03:41 - 05:00: A better way to follow up (with real examples)

05:01 - 06:10: Post job interview habits that boost your follow-up game

06:11 - 07:15: How this applies to your UX job search and beyond

🎬 Watch Sarah's free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in today's UX job market

👉 Join Sarah Doody's Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

Feeling stuck in your career or job search? Overwhelmed by the unknowns? This episode of The Career Strategy Podcast offers a practical tip to help you regain control and make intentional decisions.

By focusing on what you can control rather than fixating on outside factors, you can move forward with clearer direction. Learn how to strategically apply to jobs, improve the quality of your application materials, and leverage your network for a competitive edge. Take charge of your attitude and choose who to listen to, minimizing information overload.

00:40 Tips to make clearer, intentional decisions in career.

04:31 Focus on what's within your control.

10:34 Balance information gathering with taking actionable steps.

11:51 Share and discuss to help get unstuck.

🎬 Watch Sarah's free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in today's UX job market

👉 Join Sarah Doody's Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

Get ready to take control of your career with a 15-minute annual review! This episode is designed to help you reflect on the past year and set intentions for the year ahead. The questions shared in the episode will guide you through a simple yet impactful review of your accomplishments and aspirations.

Sarah suggests sharing this exercise with a friend for accountability and fresh perspectives. By focusing on what you did last year, what went well, what to stop and start doing, and the conclusions you reached, you'll gain clarity on your short and long-term goals.

Click here to get Sarah’s annual review workshop for just $29!

The episode also offers a valuable resource to dive deeper into the annual review process, providing practical tools for strategic career and life planning. Whether you're seeking career growth, work-life balance, or simply a clearer focus, this episode will equip you with actionable steps to steer your career in the right direction.

Tune in to kickstart a mindful and intentional year ahead!

02:02 The 5 review questions to ask yourself this year

03:07 Reflect on past year experiences, assign emojis.

08:16 Identify valuable conclusions, visualize 2025, align decisions.

10:29 Reflect on past year to improve 2025.

🎬 Watch Sarah's free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in today's UX job market

👉 Join Sarah Doody's Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

In this episode of the Career Strategy Podcast, guest host Erin Lindstrom takes over to tackle the topic of imposter syndrome.

Erin delves into the origins of imposter syndrome and acknowledges the societal constructs that have contributed to its prevalence, particularly for women and people of color. Erin provides insights into overcoming imposter syndrome from a mindset perspective and highlights the importance of building humble confidence to navigate career challenges. She offers practical advice for individuals at different career stages, such as climbers, switchers, and launchers, and emphasizes the significance of collaborative action and leveraging personal experiences.

Erin invites listeners to reflect on their own confidence spectrum and challenges them to explore the boundaries of humble confidence. A message of empowerment and personal growth resonates throughout the episode, providing valuable takeaways for individuals seeking to overcome imposter syndrome in their careers.

00:00 Addressing systemic barriers to leadership, overcoming doubt.

05:19 Overcoming imposter syndrome and self doubt.

09:02 Approach with humble confidence for success.

10:51 Coping mechanisms and building humble confidence.

14:18 Free masterclass on CEO mindset shifts.

🎬 Watch Sarah's free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in today's UX job market

👉 Join Sarah Doody's Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

This episode origninally aired on the Ironhacks Podcast! Check out Ironhack's awesome resources here!

In this episode, we discuss building a robust UX portfolio, mastering personal growth, and overcoming imposter syndrome in the tech industry. Join us as we explore the power of positive thinking and the significance of planning your career roadmap. 

Don't miss our expert insights into the evolving digital landscape and the impact of human connections in today's virtual world.

0:00 Sarah Doody lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.

05:08 Workshop and portfolio for experienced UX professionals.

09:40 Imposter syndrome in different career transitions.

12:45 Discussion about a book on neuroscience concepts.

13:46 Positive thought is powerful but requires effort.

19:27 Important decision-making requires thoughtful contemplation despite busyness.

23:39 Self-reflection on growth and learning opportunities.

25:28 Career Strategy Lab: Career as a product.

29:25 Boot camp feels like yesterday, time flies.

31:45 Interview process remains consistent, adapt to remote.

35:09 Spoke at the Front Conference in Zurich.

38:01 Community involvement can give false sense of progress.

41:38 Being vocal in communities, extroverted vs. introverted.

45:03 Social media's impact on career strategies.

49:45 Focus on fixing company hiring and UX.

53:40 Advocate for mindset and enforcing it.

🎬 Watch Sarah's free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in today's UX job market

👉 Join Sarah Doody's Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.

👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.