Navigo
Simplifying every job search journey
About the Project
Scope:
80 Hour Student Project
Background:
The job search process can be a daunting and time-consuming task, with the average search taking around 4 to 5 months. Research shows that individuals have better success in finding a job when they narrow their applications to jobs that are more tailored to them.
Problem Statement:
Job searchers are overwhelmed when keeping track of relevant job postings.
The Solution:
Design an end-to-end app that aggregates job listings from multiple platforms and delivers a comprehensive and curated list to the user
Discover
User Surveys
I conducted a survey with 8 participants who had varying levels of work and job search experience. The survey included 8 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions, and provided valuable insights into the job search process:
Participants prioritized salary, remote work options, role requirements and responsibilities when looking for new job opportunities.
Many participants found it difficult to find job postings that matched at least 80% of their requirements.
Participants reported being inundated with irrelevant recommendations, even when using advanced search filters.
Product Landscape
I conducted a competitor analysis on four job boards to gain insights on design patterns and user flows within the industry. Additionally, I analyzed the popular travel website Kayak to understand how to present aggregated information to users. Through this process, I discovered the following key findings:
Users prefer familiar information layouts and flows when searching for job opportunities, which can be incorporated into my product design. However, I aimed to simplify the visual load for users and differentiate my product from competitors.
Allowing users to include keywords other than just the job title when searching for listings improved user satisfaction with search results.
Define
User Mindsets
To ensure my designs are user-centered, I kept the user's needs and expectations as a top priority. Based on the findings from my research, I identified the following key needs of users:
Streamlined job search experience to save time and reduce overwhelming information overload
More relevant job listings that match not only their work history and experience, but also their expectations for workplace culture and career growth.
By understanding these user mindsets, I was able to develop design solutions that prioritize simplicity and relevance to meet the needs of my users.
Designing with Empathy
I used HMW questions focused on relevance, personalization, simplicity, and reducing cognitive load to facilitate brainstorming sessions.
Concept Description
Design a comprehensive job search app that streamlines the job search process for users by curating job listings from various sources and delivering only the most relevant opportunities. With the app, users can easily find dream jobs and ideal roles without the burden of information overload.
Differentiating Features:
Preferences Survey
Job Insights
Job Scores
Develop
App Architecture
Crafting a clear and intuitive site map was a critical step in the development of Navigo. By carefully planning the information architecture and task flows, I ensured that users could effortlessly navigate the app's key features. Some of the most essential pages in the site map include the streamlined onboarding survey, the dynamic 'New and Relevant Listings' page, and the 'Insights' page, which offers users a deeper understanding of the job market and industry trends.
Early Sketches
I used sketches to visualize and test my designs in advance and avoid a few problems early on.
Key Ideas:
User Survey
Curated Recommendations
Highlighted Flows
Usability Testing
During live usability testing with four participants, I collected feedback and observed how users interacted with the prototype. Based on this, I identified three areas for design iteration:
Dream score and career match: Users found it difficult to understand the differences between these scores. To address this, I planned to add a dropdown or information icon next to these scores to provide helpful explanations.
Differentiating between scores: Users also had trouble understanding what information was used to determine the various scores in the app. To improve this, I needed to make it clearer how each score was calculated.
Onboarding survey length: Participants felt that the onboarding survey was a bit long and repetitive. To address this, I needed to consider making the survey scrollable rather than requiring users to click through multiple pages.
Deliver
Onboarding and Initial Survey
In order to deliver the most relevant listings to my users, I designed a survey that would gather information about their ideal role as well as their expectations regarding workplace and their work style. The use of AI ensures that the survey results are highly personalized, meeting the users' need to see job listings that are relevant to their preferences and ideal job roles.
New Listings
After creating an account, users are directed to their home screen, which is visually simplified to show only a few top listings until they want to uncover more. Insights as to how well the job aligns with their desires, expectations, and history are readily available with every listing and users can easily access various platforms to apply for positions that interest them.
Final Thoughts
Designing Navigo has taught me valuable lessons in user-centered design:
Embrace innovation: while familiarity is important, introducing fresh ideas can make an app stand out. Simplifying information can reduce user overload, but also add value by providing only what's most relevant.
Consider the importance of onboarding: first impressions are key, and user engagement relies on an easy and engaging onboarding process. It's essential to apply the same simplification principles to every aspect of the app, including the signup process.
Iterate based on feedback: conducting live usability testing allowed me to refine my design and improve the user experience. It's crucial to listen to users' feedback and observe how they interact with the product to make informed design decisions.