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 ...
Mar 18, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 portf...
Mar 13, 2024•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Mar 11, 2024•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast ✨ 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 failur...
Mar 04, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Feb 26, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 persona...
Feb 19, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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. 00:0...
Feb 12, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Feb 05, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 cho...
Jan 29, 2024•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 conclusio...
Jan 22, 2024•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 a...
Jan 15, 2024•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Doo...
Jan 08, 2024•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode originally aired on the Honest UX Talks Podcast. 🗂 instagram.com/honest_ux_talks This conversation ranges from learning how to position oneself strategically in the competitive job landscape to the art of finessing career materials such as resumes and portfolios. Sarah shares innovative strategies for treating your job hunt as you would a UX project, emphasizing tailored applications, meaningful networking, and the human touch in technology-driven processes. With real-world example...
Jan 02, 2024•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast This show was originally aired on the NN/g UX Podcast hosted and produced by Therese Festenden. In this episode we dived into the heart of what makes a truly rewarding career – it's not the flashy title or the next paycheck, but the fulfillment you get from the impact you create and the skills you bring to the table. Therese and I talked about curating a portfolio that reflects real-world problem-solving, not just textbook processes, and the value of strategic thinking for career advanceme...
Dec 26, 2023•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week’s episode is an interview with product designer and Career Strategy Lab alumni, Melody. The job search can be a whirlwind of ups and downs. Melody shares how she kept a level head and used what she learned in our career coaching program to land a job with a company she had already applied to and been rejected from! Listen to hear the real experiences, obstacles, and victories of a CSL Alumni! 00:38 A quick intro with Erin 02:21 Let’s meet Melody! 04:28 Interaction design is the future ...
Dec 18, 2023•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this "Open House" episode, we're joined by Career Strategy Lab alumni, Laura, Malavika , and Carlos, who each have their unique stories of transformation and success to share with you. Laura, a product designer at Cisco in Miami, shares her journey through the lab and the remarkable turnaround from nearly 60 job applications to landing interviews and a coveted job offer. Carlos talks about his career aspirations, the battle with rejection, and the momentous shift he accomplished with the help...
Dec 11, 2023•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week’s episode is hosted by CSL Coach Erin Lindstrom with special guest, Malavika Oak, a CSL Alumni! Tune in to hear what led Malavika to UX and her career journey from working at startups, getting laid off, and with the help of Career Strategy Lab, landing a new role that she describes as a “dream job.” 00:38 Intro with Erin 01:55 Meet Malavika 04:51 Looking for mentorship in the UX world 07:26 Being the only designer at a startup 11:25 Her new role 14:29 Slowly getting better and better a...
Dec 04, 2023•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Are you using LinkedIn correctly? It’s a social media platform, so be social! This week Sarah talks about how making connections using LinkedIn can not only improve your visibility on recruiter searches AND help you find job openings faster. 01:09 The one thing many professionals forget to do when looking for work 02:08 LinkedIn Recruiter and the algorithm 03:35 You should be posting on your LinkedIn profile 05:25 It’s all about increasing visibility 07:12 Putting your skills and experienc...
Nov 27, 2023•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast Everyone says that recruiters spend barely any time on resumes, but is that true? This week Sarah shares her tips to keep recruiters engaged so they never spend less than a minute on your resume. After this, be sure to listen to Episode 29 to learn more about the one page resume and how it could be selling you short! 00:19 Spoiler Alert: It’s a myth! 01:07 Put yourself into the shoes of a recruiter 02:52 Consider the design of your resume 05:45 Instead of a list of responsibilities, go into deta...
Nov 20, 2023•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you’re considering a career in UX but not sure how you can leverage your previous experience to help you stand out as a candidate we want you to know it’s absolutely possible. In this episode, Sarah talks through how to build a bridge from your current situation to a UX career. 0:55 You may be tempted to apply to lots of jobs 1:24 You might be competing for jobs with people with more UX experience than you 1:49 Here’s how to start thinking strategically about this 2:35 When you do this, your ...
Nov 13, 2023•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast The internet is FULL of information, but not all of it is as helpful as you may think. This week Sarah speaks to some of the flaws of trusting everything you read and hear online and how to discern if advice is worth listening to. 01:17 What do you do when you have a question? 02:52 Start asking questions about your source! 03:53 Is the advice you’re getting even relevant to today’s job market? 04:57 We tend to worry so much about messing up, that we doubt ourselves. 🎬 Watch our free UX Job Sea...
Nov 06, 2023•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week’s episode is a Q&A session with Sarah! Tune in to hear how to start your job search when you’re brand new to UX, looking for opportunities to grow from within your company, and the importance of your portfolio! 01:16 If you’re early in your career, of course you want to apply to everything! 03:01 How do you approach finding your first job? 06:46 Make the most of performance reviews 08:54 Spell. Check. Your. Resume. 10:20 Curate your resume to each job you apply to 12:10 The best wa...
Oct 30, 2023•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Why aren’t you making the progress you’d like to in your career? 🤔 Maybe, just maybe, you’ve fallen victim to one of the biggest sources of procrastination in the job search? This week, Sarah discusses how sometimes it’s best to stop looking for more info and advice, and just act! If you want to make TRUE progress in your job search, listen in! Also, check out flowapp.info to help keep yourself on track! 01:14 At some point you need to stop seeking information and start taking action 02:04 More...
Oct 23, 2023•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast Let’s be real, taking the next step in your career can be exhausting. The process of getting clear on what you want, finding aligned roles, tweaking your career materials, making connections and so on is filled with highs and lows. It’s not uncommon for each rejection or a lack of response to send you into a spin BUT, there are things you can do to manage your emotions, stay regulated, and continue down the path while taking space for the big feelings coming up. In this episode, Sarah dives into...
Oct 16, 2023•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast Yes or no?! 🤔 Everyone wants to know whether or not it’s recommended to put projects that didn’t launch in their portfolio and if it’s worth talking about during interviews. Here’s the quick version; when creating your portfolio and resume, use every amazing example of your skills you can. Why would you avoid using a project that didn’t go public? If you did the work, then show it off! Launching isn’t the only part of the story. Tune in to episode 36 to learn more about how to talk about ...
Oct 09, 2023•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast During this Q+A, Sarah discusses what your portfolio should look like when you leave a UX bootcamp, how many case studies should you present in an interview, the myth of the one page resume, and so much more! 01:14 The portfolio you created in a bootcamp won’t work with recruiters 05:29 You can’t predict how long you’ll have in an interview, so why not ask? 06:55 Keep your resume chronological 08:40 Employers want experience, they want receipts! 11:32 Work done for confidential clients may still...
Oct 02, 2023•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast You’ve done all the hard work of searching for a position, crafting your materials, interviewing, and you received a job offer! But then, the unthinkable happens ... the job offer is rescinded or withdrawn 😱 This is a sucky situation to be in and this week Sarah dedicates an entire episode to help you move through it. 01:12 You aren’t the only one this has happened to. 01:53 Ask the company if they have any other open positions you may be a fit for 03:02 Remember, you made it this far. You’re d...
Sep 25, 2023•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast The screening call with HR is often your first opportunity to connect and leave a lasting impact. Tune into this episode to learn what to expect, how to make a great first impression, and the things to NEVER say during an HR screening interview! 00:55 HR Interviews are where your soft skills can shine 02:39 People will remember stories far more than they're going to remember that you were a fast learner or team player 03:31 Recruiters want to see how you got where you are 05:01 Utilizing the Fiv...
Sep 18, 2023•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week’s episode is a Q&A session with Sarah! Tune in to hear the number one thing to do in a saturated job market, how to share case studies that are flagged as confidential, whether or not AI is a threat to UX careers and more! 01:16 Do everything you can to be visible to the companies you're applying to or where you wanna work 06:57 Don’t focus on the quantity of connections, but QUALITY! 11:11 Most people are only scratching the surface of their skills and experience 15:24 AI is not g...
Sep 11, 2023•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Stop awkwardly approaching people to get career advice and use the strategies from this episode to connect instead! In this episode of the Career Strategy Podcast, Sarah introduces listeners to the informational interview and teaches exactly how to ask for one. 00:58 What is an informational interview? 01:59 Before asking someone, make sure they don’t cover your questions in their public work 03:23 How NOT to start your email 05:36 Tip #1: Breaking the ice 06:28 Tip #2: Be specific 07:57 Tip #3:...
Sep 04, 2023•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
