Role | UX design, Research, Ideation, Branding, Prototyping Timeline | May - Aug 2022 (12 weeks) Tools | Figma, Illustrator, Photoshop Mentor | Rachel Draper
Joba is a unique job-seeking platform that provides holistic guidance powered both by AI and real industry experts. We tailor our platform for each and every job-seeker to help them build the most professional application possible and prepare them for the interview process. A major career change can be daunting and lonely, but Joba is here to make the process easier and help job-seekers feel supported.
Context
The Covid-19 pandemic led to a significant number of job losses, as businesses shut down and conducted mass layoffs, leaving many job-seekers feeling rejected, stressed, and anxious. While the job market is showing signs of improvement, with a 36 percent increase in job openings in March compared to the previous year, job-seekers still require a platform that can simplify the process and provide support and guidance, helping them stay prepared and confident throughout their job-hunting journey.
The current unemployment rate in the US is 10.2% (1.8 million).
Bureau of Labor Statistics
The average amount of time to find a job is 24 weeks.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, November 2020
53% of unemployed adults say they’ve felt like they lost a piece of their identity during the job hunt process.
Pew Research center
44% of recent grads found it difficult or extremely difficult to find a job.
Gen Z Grads Class of 2017 Accenture
Pain points
Lack of guidance to prepare job applications
It's hectic to organize research
Don't have a place to do mock up interviews
Not having a like-minded support group
A design challenge emerged....
How might we design a system that improves the job hunting experience for job seekers by providing them a holistic guidance to get their jobs?
User Goals
Goal 01 To prepare application materials
Goal 02 To organize the research about companies
Goal 03 To practice upcoming interviews
Goal 04 To find support groups
Design System
Guide Words
Logo
App Icon
Color
Typography
Icon
Layout System
Components
The Solution
Joba is a unique job-seeking platform that provides holistic guidance powered both by AI and real industry experts. We tailor our platform for each and every job seeker to help them build the most professional application possible and prepare them for the interview process. A major career change can be daunting and lonely, but Joba is here to make the process easier and help job seekers feel supported.
Key Features
Optimize application materials
Keep it updated with job application status
Organize information about companies while researching
Practice upcoming interviews
Measuring Success
To measure the success of the web app and its future iterations, I’d track: • NPS (Net Promoter Score) • Retention Overtime • Completion Rate of Each Step • Job Application Crafting Success Rate (Measure how many customers finish the job application crafting process) • Overall Completion Rate
Process
Pain Points
01 It's hectic to organize research Managing research and information becomes difficult when applying to multiple positions across different companies.
02 Lack of guidance to prepare job applications Job applications require assembling various materials, which can overwhelm newcomers or those unfamiliar with the process.
03 Don't have a place to practice interviews and get feedback Mock interviews help with interview preparation, but it's tough to find chances to practice and get genuine feedback.
04 Not having a like-minded support group Job hunting is often solitary, making it challenging to find a supportive group for sharing experiences and goals.
Magic Moments
01 Wouldn't it be great to have a system that assists in organizing research and contact information for each company you are interviewing with?
02 Wouldn't it be great to have a system that enables you to seamlessly compile all job application materials step-by-step?
03 Wouldn't it be great to have a system that assists you in preparing for upcoming interviews by providing feedback and predicting potential questions?
04 Wouldn't it be great to have a platform where like-minded job seekers can support each other and exchange information?
User Goals
01 To organize the research & info about companies Save links, notes, important dates, and contact information related to each company / Search with keywords / Receive reminder alerts on marked dates (ex. application due date)
02 To prepare for the required application materials Guide uploading required application materials such as resumes, cover letters, portfolios, etc. step by step. / Fillable templates for application materials (ref. TurboTax) / Access examples or each document / Allow them to use the material to easily apply to multiple locations at once.
03 To practice for the interview Have audience / Timer / Feedback (from peers, AI, mentor, working professionals) on speed, pace, non-verbal communication, portfolio / Record + Self analyze / Common interview questions / challenges (on-site / take-home)
04 To find a support group Share information, experiences, and resources / Chat and hang out with each other / emotionally support each other / Make connections with peers who are in the same situation / Connect with mentors
Competitive Analysis
Positioning Matrix
Target Market
Demographic • Millennials (born between 1980 and 1995) • Students seeking internships • Graduates aiming for their first job • Adults shifting careers • Adults who have recently been laid off or are jobless • Freelancers and contractors who are pursuing new opportunities • Job seekers who are in search of career advisors • Job seekers who are craving a trusted, supportive community
In 2015, Millennials became the dominant demographic on the labor market.
State of the American Workplace Report Gallup 2017
Millennials have the highest rates of unemployment and underemployment.
Pew Research 2015
Design Criteria
Mission Statement
Joba is a unique job-seeking platform that provides holistic guidance powered both by AI and real industry experts. We tailor our platform for each and every job seeker to help them build the most professional application possible and prepare them for the interview process. A major career change can be daunting and lonely, but Joba is here to make the process easier and help job seekers feel supported.
Interview
Pricilla
Occupational Therapist
Looking for better fit with specific work setting she wants with benefits – non-profit • hospital + school • benefit : loan forgiveness • flexible hours • part-time
• My job application experience was rough • There were many opportunities but it was hard to find something that suited my needs • Work Type/Setting: e.g., hospital+school / non-profit / Benefit: loan forgiveness (Government related) / no overtime, etc. • I heard about positions from LinkedIn, Indeed, and EdJoin • There were both virtual and in-person interviews • It’s nerve-wracking to take the interview • Write down what to say before the interview wrote down possible questions to organize my thoughts to remind myself what to say • Find a suitable space to take the interview matters • Apply for jobs that you feel you would fit in • Know where you’re at and what your needs are • It was really annoying when I had to come to manually fill out the resume through the system on their wbsites
Rachel
Retail Store Coordinator
Looking to change her career – better pay • connects backs to her profession
• I learned about the position through LinkedIn • I don’t like it when job posting site, like Glassdoor, keep asking for my information • Filtering features, such as location, in the job searches are really helpful • My friends referred me to my past jobs, so having someone to refer me to a position is important • The competition to even secure a chance for an interview is very high • Information is provided to all and is accessible to everyone, yet most opportunities tend to go to a select few • I was contemplating what if there were restrictions on who can access certain information to regulate this imbalance. • I desperately needed someone who could help me, but I felt like I was on my own. • It’s important to start applying ASAP instead of waiting for perfection
Young
UX Intern
Looking for internship opportunity while at school – at fortune companies • with specific industries (wants to avoid accounting, insurance related)
• I had my favorite companies in mind, and I was following them on LinkedIn to see if any open positions were available • Practicing design challenges was helpful. Once the interview date was set, I’d look for designers at the company and ask them for a cold call to get some feedback • Once I received feedback that make sense, I tried to revise my portfolio • I was feeling anxious and had to see a therapist during the process of trying to secure the internship position • I felt hopeless when I received rejections without any feedback • One piece of advice I could give is that start applying earlier. Don’t wait until when you feel ready. • For me, the industries I’d be working in were important • I’d save job descriptions of each position • Writing a diary helped soothe my emotion
Summer
Strategic Business Analyst
Looking to change her career – internship or other positions • related to future career • she wants to have
• I first browse lists of open positions on job posting sites like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and JobWorld. • It was helpful to study possible interview questions on Glassdoor • There's more pressure when multiple people interview me compared to when one person does. • It's important how you phrase what you've done and what you are capable of • I wish I could have practiced more • It took me more than a few months to finally receive an offer, and the waiting time made me anxious • The application process could be as easy as sending a resume by email, while others are complicated and time-consuming. • It's important to actively reach out to people who are already working there • The working environment, hours, and benefits were more important to me than the job title
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