Serena Gandolfi | Product Designer
Developing an iOS app that lets users protect their sports bets with injury insurance
User Research / UX Design / UI Design / Prototyping / User Testing
Overview
Up Your App is a startup dedicated to simplifying and optimizing the job application process for job seekers of all industries. The platform offers cutting-edge tools such as resume and cover letter generators, designed to help users craft professional, tailored application materials with ease.
Currently in development, Up Your App is also building a job board to connect users with curated opportunities and an interview prep assistant to help them prepare confidently for their next big career step.
The goal of Up Your App is to reduce the stress and uncertainty of job hunting by providing a seamless, all-in-one platform for creating standout applications and preparing for success.
Research
And
Analysis
The research process began with a comprehensive review of existing tools for job seekers, including resume and cover letter generators, to uncover limitations and opportunities for improvement. This helped establish the foundation for designing Up Your App with features that address common frustrations in the job application process.
Next, 20-minute 1:1 interviews were conducted with active job seekers to dive deeper into their habits and challenges. Participants shared insights on how they approach crafting resumes and cover letters, their struggles with finding relevant job opportunities, and how they prepare for interviews. Discussions also explored their interest in tools like job boards and application optimization software, as well as what features they believe could make the process easier and more effective.
A quantitative survey followed, collecting broader data on what job seekers prioritize most. The survey revealed preferences for features like tailored resume suggestions, streamlined cover letter creation, and personalized interview prep resources.
Key Takeaways:
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A large portion of job seekers (65%) agreed with the statement, "Customizing my resume and cover letter for each job application takes too much time," underlining the time-consuming nature of tailoring applications.
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The majority of participants (70%) expressed interest in a tool like Up Your App that automates the process of generating resumes and cover letters for different job applications.
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A significant number (60%) of respondents admitted they have spent considerable time creating job applications, only to not receive a response, with 38% reporting this happens often.
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The top factors participants consider when choosing a resume and cover letter service include:
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How much time it saves them.
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The level of personalization it offers.
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The ease of use and user-friendly interface.
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More than half of participants said they would pay for a premium version of the service if it helped them land more job interviews.
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A large percentage (48%) of respondents noted they apply to jobs across multiple platforms and would find value in a single tool like Up Your App to consolidate and streamline their application process.
Empathy Mapping
After interviewing several job seekers to understand how they approach job applications and address challenges in crafting resumes, cover letters, and preparing for interviews, I built an empathy map to guide the development of Up Your App's job application optimization features.
Wireframing
Low fidelity wireframes were built to visualize the information architecture and better understand the flow between key screens.
High-fidelity wireframes were created to refine the visual design, incorporate detailed UI elements, and provide a more realistic representation of the final user interface.
UI Design
A comprehensive style guide and UI kit were crafted for Up Your App, focusing on consistent branding through carefully selected colors, typography, and iconography. These elements were designed to reflect the app’s mission of simplifying and optimizing the job application process.
Prototyping
Finally, the screens were assembled into a functional, high-fidelity prototype created in Figma
Usability Testing
TThe prototype for Up Your App was tested in one-on-one sessions with users, simulating a realistic experience of interacting with the app.
The primary goals of the usability tests were to:
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Identify bottlenecks within key task flows, such as creating a resume or cover letter and navigating the interview prep assistant.
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Assess participants' reactions to the resume and cover letter generation tools.
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Evaluate the likelihood that users would incorporate the app into their job search process.
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Collect feedback on areas of the app that were unclear or needed refinement.
Participant Overview:
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10 participants in total: 5 women and 5 men
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All participants were actively seeking employment across various industries.
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Age range of participants: 22 to 45 years old
Key Takeaways:
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100% of participants successfully created a resume or cover letter using the generators.
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Participants praised the professional quality of the generated resumes and cover letters, describing them as "well-polished" and "interview-ready."
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Several participants suggested adding more customization options for specific industries or creative fields.
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A few participants expressed interest in integrating LinkedIn profiles directly into the app for quicker resume creation.
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Participants found the interview prep assistant helpful but requested more tailored practice questions for specific job types.
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All participants agreed that the app’s features significantly simplified the job application process and reduced stress.
Iterations and Next Steps
With this round of testing complete, user feedback was integrated into a final iteration of the Figma prototype
Next steps include:
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Develop the Job Board
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Continue to refine application process and add value to dashboard