Overview

Finding a new job or changing careers is often a frustrating, time-consuming process. Many job seekers feel lost navigating complex platforms, while companies struggle to connect with the right talent efficiently. Badge was created to streamline the job search experience, aligning candidates with opportunities while minimizing time and effort.

The Challenge

• User Pain Points:

  1. Tracking application progress is cumbersome.

  2. Writing cover letters feels repetitive and tedious.

  3. Job boards lack personalized experiences.
     
     

• How Might We...

  1. Track applications seamlessly for better transparency?

  2. Save users time while applying for jobs?

  3. Assist candidates in crafting compelling cover letters?

Process

1. Research

• Primary Research:
  Conducted interviews with job seekers aged 20–55 to uncover challenges and needs.

  
  

  

  
  Key Insights:

  • Users spend an average of 20–40 minutes per application.

  • Customizing cover letters was identified as a major pain point.

  • Overwhelming features in current platforms often confuse users.

• Secondary Research:

  • Analyzed existing job platforms to identify industry trends and gaps.

  • Noted a shift towards personalized and simplified user experiences.

    
    

    

2. Empathy Mapping & Personas

Created three personas to represent distinct user archetypes:

1. Sarah: A recent graduate seeking her first job.

2. James: An experienced professional looking for a career switch.

3. Anna: A passive job seeker exploring opportunities.

Empathy mapping helped align features with real user needs and behaviors.

3. Ideation

• Developed a sitemap and user flows to ensure smooth navigation.

• Brainstormed features like progress tracking, auto-generated cover letters, and simplified search filters.

4. Design & Prototyping

• Wireframes:
  Created low-fidelity prototypes to map the user journey and test key features.

• Branding & UI Design:
  Focused on a clean, intuitive design to reduce cognitive load.

  • Used a minimalist navigation bar.

  • Incorporated a progress tracker for application status.

5. Testing & Iteration

• Guerrilla Testing:
  Initial tests revealed navigation issues and excessive cognitive load due to too many features.

• Refinements:

  • Consolidated navigation into three main sections.

  • Added additional steps to simplify the cover letter creation process.

  • Reduced redundant information and streamlined visual hierarchy.

Solution

Badge simplifies the job search by:

• Allowing users to track applications in real time.

• Auto-generating customizable cover letters.

• Minimizing the number of steps required to apply.

Impact:
User testing showed a 40% improvement in task completion time and higher satisfaction with the overall experience.

What I Learned

1. Test Early, Test Often: Guerrilla testing early in the process revealed critical usability issues that informed the design direction.

2. Prioritize Usability Over Aesthetics: Simplicity was key to user satisfaction.

3. Accessibility is Non-Negotiable: Clear navigation and reduced cognitive load are vital for inclusivity.

Future Directions

• Explore AI-powered personalization for job recommendations.

• Integrate accessibility features to accommodate a wider range of users.

• Expand the platform for international markets.