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

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.Timestamps01:01 Meet the Coaches01:12 Open House Insights03:14 Career Roadmap Creation06:43 The Importance of Community09:31 Tactical Resume and Portfolio Tips16:33 Navigating the Job Market20:11 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsWhat 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👉 Join Career Strategy Lab, a UX job search accelerator for UX and Product people.👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

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