In this episode of the Career Strategy Podcast, Sarah delves into the intriguing concept of career compound interest. She draws parallels between smart financial decisions and strategic career moves, emphasizing how small investments in your career today can yield significant results over time.

Sarah discusses three key areas for creating a compound interest effect in your career: investing early, negotiating wisely, and building authentic relationships before they are needed. She offers actionable advice and real-world examples, highlighting the importance of proactive career management.

Tune in to gain valuable insights into unlocking exponential success in your professional journey.

00:00 Early investment in time and career important.

03:35 Update LinkedIn profile before starting job search.

07:08 Negotiating is crucial for long-term salary.

10:58 Build authentic, small professional network early.

14:20 Negotiate wisely, network for success, career roadmap.

🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

👉 Join 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 today's episode, CSL Coach, Erin Lindstrom, takes over the podcast to dive into the common mindset challenges that arise when professionals start working on their portfolios. Erin discusses the emotional and psychological barriers that can make the process feel overwhelming, and she provides practical guidance on how to move through these challenges. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, a structured process, and being part of a supportive community.

Erin's insights shed light on the deeper, emotional side of portfolio creation, offering valuable advice for anyone navigating their career advancement. So, grab a cup of coffee and join us as we explore how to overcome portfolio mindset hurdles and take charge of your career growth.

00:00 Framework benefits all career stages, freelance leverage.

03:42 Erin Lindstrom discusses challenges in creating portfolios.

07:07 Avoiding grief from toxic work experiences.

12:49 Clarity in design leads to marketing success.

16:09 Community support boosts motivation and success.

18:27 Email for help, focus on portfolio storytelling.

🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

👉 Join 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, Sarah shares actionable advice on how to stand out in your career by applying a sales strategy to your portfolio. By understanding the difference between features and benefits, you'll learn how to make a lasting impression through your portfolio, resume, or LinkedIn profile. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to level up their career and leave a lasting impact in the professional world. So grab your headphones and get ready to unlock the secrets to making your career stand out!

00:00 Opportunity to enhance UX portfolio in 3 weeks.

05:23 Companies should focus on benefits, not features.

09:00 Summarize your work with its impact and why.

13:12 Focus on benefits to capture people's interest.

14:17 Closing plea for engagement and feedback. Goodbye.

🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

👉 Join 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, Sarah discusses how sprints can serve professionals regardless of whether they're just starting out or seasoned leaders. She addresses frequently asked questions and invites listeners to enhance their presentation skills and make a meaningful impact in their careers by developing their portfolios. If you're looking to elevate your career and master the art of storytelling through an effective portfolio, this episode is a must-listen.

00:00 UX portfolio sprint benefits all career stages.

04:52 Limited VIP spots available for UX portfolio sprint.

09:09 Revive portfolio sprint for improved job readiness.

10:58 Follow framework for year; FAQs about UX.

17:33 Create a timeless portfolio with effective presentation.

19:04 Enrollment closes on March 22, starts March 25.

🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

👉 Join 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.

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 our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

👉 Join 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 our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

👉 Join 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 our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

👉 Join 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 our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

👉 Join 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 our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

👉 Join 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.

Looking to stand out in job interviews and extend your visibility after the meeting?

In this episode of The Career Strategy Podcast, Sarah shares practical tips for making a lasting impression post-interview.

➡️ Learn how to craft follow-up messages that are personal and specific, ensuring that you stand out among other candidates.

➡️ Find out why creative follow-ups not only make you memorable but also prompt asynchronous interviews, elevating your chances of getting noticed.

➡️ Understand the importance of jotting down key discussion points after each interview to create impactful follow-up messages.

➡️ Dive into a short, succinct episode that reveals actionable strategies for boosting your interview game, making you a standout professional in a competitive job market.

➡️ Discover how small, thoughtful gestures can significantly impact your job search.

Join Sarah in unlocking the potential of post-interview follow-ups to propel your career forward and please leave a review if you find this episode helpful.

🎬 Watch our free UX Job Search Workshop and learn how to stand out in 2025

👉 Join 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.