In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I sit down with Sarah Doody — UX researcher, product designer, and founder of Career Strategy Lab, a job search accelerator helping UX and product professionals find their next role and succeed once they’re there.
We talk about treating your career like a product — creating a roadmap, defining outcomes, and using research to uncover your blind spots, and why finding your voice matters.
Sarah also shares how small, consistent steps and thinking in terms of compound interest matters. Whether it has to do with how you treat LinkedIn, work on your resume, build relationships, or use social. And related to that why strong relationships still matter more than any algorithm.
We also dive into AI and the job market, why the best resumes still start with human thinking, not prompts, and how context, storytelling, and connection remain our biggest differentiators.
It’s a candid, generous and very practical conversation where Sarah shares how her own career evolved from UX designer to founder, what she’s learned the many designer’s she coached, and what to do, and not do, to make your resume and portfolio stand out.
If you like the episode please leave a review, and a rating to help Sarah’s story and advice reach more people.
☕️ Why a strong latte is her go to fika and Publik, Holy Water Coffee and Lab Barba are her favourite cafés
What we cover:
02:14 Reconnecting and Reflecting on the Past03:02 Evolving Career Coaching: From Portfolios to Roadmaps06:08 Navigating the Job Market: Challenges and Opportunities09:01 The Role of AI in UX: Imitation vs. Innovation12:00 Crafting Effective Resumes and Portfolios17:43 Tailoring Your Portfolio for Success23:51 Timeless Skills in a Changing Landscape30:55 The Role of Storytelling in Product Development34:27 Finding Your Voice and Public Speaking41:27 The Importance of Honesty in Communication46:30 Building Relationships and Networking52:06 Navigating Social Media Algorithms57:11 The Evolution of UX Content Creation59:49 The Importance of Owning Your Digital Presence01:02:15 Authenticity in Content Creation01:04:17 Career Quakes and Future Aspirations01:09:57 Life Changes and New Beginnings01:12:21 The Joy of In-Person Connections01:18:22 Looking Ahead: Future Collaborations and Meetups
Where you'll find Sarah:
Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika: