Navigating a career change or climbing the job ladder can be daunting, but guidance and support make all the difference. In this episode of The Career Strategy Podcast we take you behind the scenes into an Open House for CSL where you’ll meet 2 professionals, a Senior User Researcher and a Lead UX Designer, who worked with Sarah and her team directly to improve their career materials and stand out in the crowded job market. In this episode we’ll dive into the unique structure of the Career Strategy Lab, the proven program that breaks down job searching into manageable sprints, from creating a career roadmap to showcasing your portfolio. Sarah also leads a detailed discussion on the "inverted pyramid" approach for creating impactful portfolios that grab the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. You’ll hear firsthand from CSL alumni, Meg and Craig, as they share their breakthrough moments and mindset shifts that propelled their careers forward. Tune in to this episode to learn strategies for crafting compelling resumes, portfolio headlines, and maintaining progress without striving for perfection.  Timestamps 00:00 Exciting alumni experiences, portfolio workshop, Career Strategy Lab. 08:16 Program guides career path through structured process. 11:38 CSL program helps build materials, provides support. 16:39 Career Strategy Lab: Community-focused career development support. 21:50 Mindset calls tackle career-related emotional barriers. 26:58 Experienced in process; not alone finding work. 35:37 Focus on communication strategies for career advancement. 42:20 Inverted pyramid structure delivers info strategically. 47:54 Craft headlines, supporting content, and proof carefully. 50:55 Inverted pyramid structure for effective storytelling and presentations. 57:11 Break down tasks; use templates; weekly support calls. 01:03:18 Career Strategy Lab benefits all career stages. 📥 Join 46,000 people who read our free UX career tips newsletter 🎁 Get your free UX Career Roadmap 👋 Say hi and follow our host, Sarah Doody, on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter