Background:
Now App Student Project
For this project, I set out to create an app that would be relevant in helping job seekers apply to jobs more easily and efficiently by optimizing the job application process in some way. The goal of this project is to create an app that addresses user needs when it comes to applying to jobs, and make the process much more seamless for job-seekers.
Client: Now App
Project Duration: 1 Month Sprint
Responsibility: UI/UX Designer and Researcher
Methods: product development lifecycle, User Research, User Interviews, User Personas, Wireframes, Sketches, Usability Testing, Prototypes
The Problem
Applying to jobs or internships and filling out the same basic information can be frustrating and repetitive. People should be able to focus on crafting thoughtful answers to job-specific questions instead of filling out basic information.
The Question
How do we make the job application process less time consuming?
STEP 1: Ideation and Validation
What kinds of system should we be trying to create? is there a need for this product? If so, what exactly are user needs or pain points and how do we work towards designing a system that meets these needs for potential users? Here I conduct user research to answer these questions and develop an idea.
Ratings Test
I started with a ratings test to better understand the problems users faced while applying to jobs and internships.
I asked users to rate their experience applying to jobs on a scale of 1-5 where 1 is very difficult and 5 is very easy
Out of the 20 people who completed the ratings test 6 people rated their experience a 2 and another 6 rated their experience as a 3.
User Research
In order to better understand the user needs when it comes to the job application process, I asked users “What is the most frustrating part of applying to jobs or internships?”
85% of users said “Long application process” is the most frustrating part of applying to jobs and internships.
The Idea
Create an app that allows users to save time filling out job and internship applications by only requiring users to fill out their basic information once and storing the info to be autofilled for later use.
STEP 2: Prototyping, Marketing, and Development
After conducting research to validate the need for this product, and better understand the user pain points, I put together an idea of what kind of system I would need to design. Moving forward, I used this research to create user personas in order to better understand my users and also to sketch and develop wireframes for the system.
Dinah Matthews
Age 20
Pronouns: She/They
Occupations: Student, undergrad junior, barista
Dinah is a current Junior completing her Bachelors Degree in Marketing at UNC Chapel Hill. When she’s not studying for tests, she works as a barista at the campus coffee shop and is on the executive board for three different student organizations. Dinah needs a summer internship but she has a demanding schedule so it’s difficult for her to apply to as many as she would like.
Needs and Goals
-To find a summer internship.
-To apply to different roles quickly and efficiently
Frustrations
-Hard to find time to apply to jobs
-Long application process
-Constantly filling out the same information
Cole Anderson
Age 20
Pronouns: He/Him
Occupations: Dad, Freelance Graphic Designer
Cole is a Freelance Graphic Designer and New dad living in Dallas Texas. As a freelancer, Cole works with different companies creating designs for different projects and needs to stay ahead and keep applying to different jobs. Although he enjoys freelancing, he is also interested in exploring full-time opportunities and is looking for a way to explore these roles without too much strain on his schedule
Needs and Goals
-To make time for his newborn
-To find and apply to full time roles without disrupting his busy schedule
Frustrations
-Applying to jobs is time consuming
-Often must fill out the same information for every application
-Basic information does not always autofill properly from resume
Sketches and Low Fidelity Wire-framing
I spent some time sketching out ideas for what I wanted the app to look like. I started by sketching out potential logos, because it seemed like a natural first step, and then I started working on low-fidelity wireframes and mapping out what the app interface would look like.
The app should:
-Accelerate the job application process by auto filling basic information
-Serve as a community for users to connect with one another
-Allow users to save jobs for later
STEP 3: Launch and Improvement
After creating mid fidelity prototypes, I ran user tests to again determine exactly what the user needs for my product are and if the application was meeting those needs. I used user surveys and guerrilla testing methods to receive feedback from my target demographic which encompasses all kinds of job seekers. Then, I got to work on improving the mid fidelity prototype with this user feedback in mind, and creating a high fidelity prototype.
Usability Testing
I conducted usability testing in the form of a survey to receive feedback from my demographic on the ideas for my prototype. I asked potential users questions about what would make the job search and application process easier for them. Received 23 responses to the survey, here are some takeaways:
“I want confirmation that a recruiter will be reaching out to me when the application is submitted.”
“I want to be able to apply to different jobs without having to undergo the same form-filling process all over again.”
“It would be helpful to be able to store resumes on the app and autofill.”
Hi fidelity Prototype Overview
Hi-Fidelity Prototype
The final prototype for the Now App has changes made through iterations and user testing. I scraped the Initial idea to make the app a social app and focused on addressing immediate user needs by designing so that there is an autofill from resume option, and ability to apply with this information in 1 click. Also included a confirmation message that recruiters will reach out via email.
Isabella Ukariwo
Product Designer