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

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.

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