112: How Emily tripled her UX freelance rate from $35 to $125 / hour (and got a full time job too)

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Welcome to the Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody, a UX Designer & UX Researcher who also founded the UX job search accelerator Career Strategy Lab. She's been doing UX career coaching since 2017.

Follow Sarah on: LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram

In this episode of the Career Strategy Podcast, Sarah Doody breaks down the key steps to getting hired—whether for a full-time job or a freelance contract. Through the story of Emily, a former fashion and beauty marketer turned UX writer, Sarah illustrates how refining your resume, portfolio, and LinkedIn profile can dramatically increase your opportunities and earning potential.

Emily’s journey highlights the power of strategic career marketing—starting with a $35/hour contract, she grew her rate to $125/hour in under six months. Sarah shares actionable insights on how you can position yourself as the ideal candidate, attract job offers and freelance clients, and confidently communicate your value to decision-makers.

Key Takeaways

• Why the hiring process for full-time and freelance work follows the same fundamental principles.
• How Emily used Career Strategy Lab to refine her portfolio, LinkedIn, and resume—unlocking new career opportunities.
• The importance of treating every professional interaction as a potential interview.
• How to iterate on your resume, portfolio, and LinkedIn profile based on feedback.
• Why contract work can be a stepping stone to full-time roles (or a lucrative career path on its own).
• How Career Strategy Lab can help accelerate your job search—and even count as a tax-deductible expense for freelancers.

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction to Career Strategy

01:01 Meet Emily: A UX Writing Success Story

02:34 Emily's Journey to Freelance Success

05:23 The Financial Upside of Freelancing

08:21 Key Lessons from Emily's Experience

11:55 Final Tips and Conclusion

14:12 Wrap-Up and Contact Information

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