105: How a UX Specialist With 20+ Years Experience Got Hired After A Layoff With Only 1 Project In His UX Portfolio - podcast episode cover

105: How a UX Specialist With 20+ Years Experience Got Hired After A Layoff With Only 1 Project In His UX Portfolio

Jan 20, 202521 min
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Episode description

In this episode of the Career Strategy Podcast, host Sarah Doody dives into the transformative journey of Leon, a Career Strategy Lab (CSL) participant who navigated the ux jobs search after an unexpected layoff. Leon shares insights into how creating a career roadmap, leveraging a standout resume and portfolio, and embracing community support helped him secure a role in UX design at a government contractor. Sarah and Leon discuss actionable strategies, including the importance of aligning your job search with a clear vision, the value of mindset work, and breaking the myth of needing multiple projects in your portfolio.

Timestamps

01:01 Meet the Coaches

01:12 Open House Insights

03:14 Career Roadmap Creation

06:43 The Importance of Community

09:31 Tactical Resume and Portfolio Tips

16:33 Navigating the Job Market

20:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • How a career roadmap can serve as your "North Star" in the job search.
  • The impact of combining tactical elements (resume, portfolio) with mindset and confidence-building.
  • Why one excellent portfolio project can trump multiple mediocre ones.
  • The importance of persistence and deliberate job applications.
  • How community support and structure can keep you motivated during challenging times.

Key Takeaways:

  • Focus on Vision: Start with a career roadmap to clarify your direction before tackling resumes or LinkedIn profiles.
  • Quality Over Quantity: A single well-crafted portfolio project can land you your dream job if it clearly highlights your skills and fit.
  • Stay Structured: Treat your job search like a job or school to maintain routine and productivity.
  • No Shortcuts: Success comes from following proven, structured approaches rather than chasing hacks.
  • Community Counts: Sharing struggles and wins within a supportive group builds confidence and accountability.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

  • Career Strategy Lab – Learn more about Sarah’s program that helps professionals level up their job search.

Share Your Feedback:

Did this episode resonate with you? Tag Sarah on social media or email at [email protected]. If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to rate us on Spotify or review us on Apple Podcasts. 

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

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105: How a UX Specialist With 20+ Years Experience Got Hired After A Layoff With Only 1 Project In His UX Portfolio | Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody | UX, Product Design, UX Research - Listen or read transcript on Metacast