109: How cohorts can hold you back and why Career Strategy Lab takes a different approach

Career Strategy Podcast with Sarah Doody | UX, Product Design, UX Research

Many career coaching programs use cohort-based models to keep participants accountable. But do they really work? In today’s episode, we’re tackling a common question: Is Career Strategy Lab’s UX Job Search Accelerator run in cohorts? Spoiler alert—it's not! And there’s a very good reason why.

Host Sarah Doody breaks down why strict cohort schedules can be limiting, how Career Strategy Lab takes a different approach, and why focusing on outcomes over rigid timelines creates a better job search experience. Whether you’re treating your job search like a full-time job or balancing it alongside a 9-to-5, this episode will help you stay accountable without the stress of falling behind.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Why traditional cohort-based courses can actually slow you down or leave you behind.

✅ How Career Strategy Lab builds daily and weekly habits to keep you accountable.

✅ The power of sprint check-ins, deadlines, and structured flexibility for job seekers.

✅ Why focusing on outcomes over schedules is key to success.

✅ The "Three E’s" method: Execute, Engage, Encourage—and how it keeps you on track.

Links & Resources:

🔗 Learn more & apply: careerstrategylab.com/apply

📩 Questions? Send a message on LinkedIn to Sarah Doody

🎬 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.