Overview
Classifieds is a job search application that matches users profiles to the job posting based on specific user data input during the onboarding process.
Problem Statement
How might we improve job searching through prioritizing matching users to jobs based on user input?
Research
gathering JOBSEEKER data
My first step was to come up with screening questions and create a survey to recruit participants. I then interviewed 4 jobseekers and evaluated what positives and pain points they’ve experienced while using job searching apps.
Research Synthesis
Interviews helped me discover pain points job seekers had while searching for new roles. All 4 participants were transitioning into new career fields, and 3 out of 4 stated their job search would benefit from better matching and recommendations.
Key Takeaways from the interviews:
Participants relied heavily on notifications and recommendations to assist their job search
Participants showed frustration over getting notifications about jobs that aren't relevant to the information on their profile
User Experience
IDENTIFY YOUR TARGETS
Job seekers face frustration from job sites recommending them for roles they aren’t looking for.
Classifieds prioritizes matching users to jobs based on the information they provide in their profile
User flow with feedback from usability tests
User Onboarding
Users question the purpose of being detailed with completing their profiles, when they get job recommendations that aren’t related to the information they provide.
Job seeker entering details about their job search
Job Postings
Without a matching system, job posts aren’t getting recommended to the right users, and users are notified about postings that barely match the criteria in their profiles. This can make a company’s search for the right candidate take longer.
Employer creating a job post
Usability Test
While testing, participants felt that the search bar on the job post and user profile screens took up too much space. They also expressed an interest in being able to save a job without having to view the whole posting. The search bar was removed from the job posting and user profile screens, and I included an icon to save a job on the search results screen.
User Interface
User Onboarding
Users will enter their preferences about the type of job they’re looking for, including the job title, location, and level of experience. Classifieds will use these preferences as the criteria for recommending jobs, to ensure users get notified about relevant positions.
Job Postings
Job posts are set up in a format similar to user profiles to facilitate the matching process. This will help users get more accurate job recommendations.
Takeaways
Classifieds was my first UX project, and it gave me a great introduction to the design and research process. Working on this project by myself allowed me to take time to get familiar with the new concepts I learned, and I would love to gain experience working with a team. I enjoyed learning about different design and research methods, and I hope to continue to build on my new skills on future projects.