160: Why This UX Designer Walked Away After 5 Interview Rounds (And Doesn't Regret It)
Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody | UX, Product Design, UX Research · Feb 2, 2026 · 27:45
Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody | UX, Product Design, UX Research
Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody | UX, Product Design, UX Research · Feb 2, 2026 · 27:45
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In this episode, Sarah Doody chats with Faith, a Product Designer who successfully transitioned from a layoff to a Product Design role, all while navigating UX career uncertainty. Faith shares how she used Career Strategy Lab’s intentional UX job search framework to slow down, get clear on what she wanted, and create a UX portfolio and application strategy that aligned with her career goals.
In this episode, Faith shares how Career Strategy Lab helped her prioritize the “why” behind her career choices, overcome imposter syndrome, and set clear boundaries to avoid ending up in the wrong role. From networking on LinkedIn to being picky about where she applied, Faith’s story will inspire anyone going through a career transition or navigating a tough job search.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ Why being intentional about your job search makes all the difference
✔️ How to avoid the trap of applying to jobs just for the sake of it
✔️ How Faith used Career Strategy Lab to design her job search strategy
✔️ The importance of knowing your “Compass Statement” to guide decisions
✔️ Why Faith turned down a “perfectly good” offer in favor of the right fit
✔️ How CSL’s support and community made her more confident in interviews
✔️ Tips for networking and finding job opportunities that align with your values
✔️ Why staying true to your career goals led to better offers and more options
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Sarah Doody and Career Strategy Lab
00:38 Episode Overview and Open House Context
01:46 Faith's Career Journey and UX Experience
03:09 Navigating Job Search Challenges
05:05 The Importance of Intentionality in Job Applications
07:43 The Role of Career Strategy Lab in Job Search
09:21 Finding Job Opportunities and Networking
14:38 Impact of Career Strategy Lab on Personal and Professional Growth
17:11 Advice for Prospective Career Strategy Lab Members
25:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
🎯 How I can help with your UX job search
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Episodes: Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody | UX, Product Design, UX Research
