Through user interviews and empathy mapping, I identified key pain points and behaviors of my target audience. The primary user group consists of single young professionals and recent graduates who are either unemployed or not working in their qualified field. These users need a fast, intuitive way to search and apply for jobs while on the go.

Key User Needs & Challenges:

• Limited Time – Users often juggle part-time jobs or other commitments, so they need a streamlined job search process.

• Lack of Career Support – Many feel overwhelmed by the job hunt and need guidance (e.g., mentorship, resume tips).

• Frustration with Navigation & Interaction – Complex job sites lead to drop-offs; users prefer quick, mobile-friendly solutions.

Design Implications:

• Quick Apply Feature – Minimize steps for job applications.

• Personalized Job Alerts – Save users time with tailored recommendations.

• Mentor Matching – Offer on-demand career advice to bridge the support gap.

• Mobile-First UI – Simplified menus, large buttons, and minimal input fields for on-the-go use.

The research pointed to a user-centered platform, designed for efficiency and accessibility, that reduces friction in job searching while providing mentorship support.

Design Philosophy: Progressive Enhancement

Recognizing that users would access the platform from diverse devices (smartphones during commutes, tablets at coffee shops, or desktops at home) I adopted a Progressive Enhancement approach. The goal was to create a fast, intuitive, and inclusive experience—whether a user was quickly applying to a job on their phone or scheduling a mentor session on a laptop.

Transitioning to digital wireframes brought the design into sharper focus, revealing opportunities to solve core user frustrations. As I mapped out each screen, the pain points uncovered during research—like clunky navigation and overwhelming job applications—became clear design challenges to tackle.

The wireframing phase also unlocked new insights. While refining the job search flow, I recognized how naturally mentorship integration could complement the experience. This led to exploring additional touchpoints—like profile matching and scheduling tools—that could provide even greater value to users.

By stripping the interface down to its structural essence, these wireframes became a proving ground for usability, ensuring every element served a purpose before visual design entered the picture.

The polished high-fidelity prototype delivered a contemporary interface with intuitive navigation, enabling users to efficiently search for both job opportunities and potential mentors before seamlessly progressing through the application process. 

The prototype's interactive elements—like smart search filters and one-click application saving—were rigorously tested to ensure they addressed real user pain points, particularly for graduates juggling multiple priorities. These thoughtful touches transformed the job hunting experience from frustrating to fluid, proving how intentional design can create meaningful impact in career development. 

View the GradJob Hi-Fi Prototype

Through two rounds of usability studies with a high-fidelity prototype, I uncovered valuable insights about user needs and preferences.

Research Findings 1:

• Users strongly preferred a distraction-free, streamlined search experience

• Registration should remain optional rather than mandatory

• High demand emerged for supplementary career services like mentorship and professional advice

Research Findings 2:

• Login requirements were identified as unnecessary barriers for core job search functionality

• Optional accounts would benefit users wanting to:

  • •  Save resumes and contact information

    •  Track and manage their job applications

    •  Bookmark favorite listings

The studies revealed that while account creation shouldn't interrupt initial use, it provides important value for engaged users seeking personalized features. This balanced approach maintains accessibility while offering advanced functionality for those who want it.

Designing GradJob reinforced how solutions crafted for specific user needs—like recent graduates seeking their first career opportunity—often create value for broader audiences. Each design iteration, shaped by usability studies and peer feedback, revealed opportunities to enhance the core offering. What began as a job search platform organically evolved to include mentor matching—a feature that addressed users' deeper need for career guidance.

The final product delivers more than efficiency; it builds confidence. By combining intuitive job search tools with supportive services like mentor connections, GradJob helps users navigate career transitions with greater ease. 

This project demonstrated how listening to users can transform a functional tool into a meaningful career launchpad.

A quote from peer feedback:

“Mentor Matching transforms the value proposition—this isn't just a job board, it's a career accelerator.”