Project Overview

The product: 

The platform is designed to provide resources to support to immigrants who are seeking employment in a new country.

Role:

UX/UI designer

Responsibilities:

conducting user research, creating wireframes, prototyping, designing user interfaces, conducting usability testing.

Project duration:

February – April 2023

The Problem

Imagine arriving in a new country and starting your life from zero. Job search is already a time-consuming process, but for immigrants, this task becomes even harder. 

Moreover, they have to make a thorough research not only on job requirements, but on the desired country as well. They need to find a place to live, find out about banking system, healthcare, undergo a complicated visa process. 

In the end, they find themselves looking through million different websites. They are lucky if they have a friend to ask, but otherwise, finding useful connections and even online chats can be also challenging.

 

The Goal

My goal for this project is to promote greater access to job opportunities and contribute to the economic integration of immigrants in society. Creating a website and app which can not only let you look through the job opportunities, but also connect you with others and give you a comprehensive guide to your the desired country.

I defined the problem through the question: “How might we provide personalized support and resources for users with difficulty navigating the job search process in a new country?”

Phase 1: Understanding the User

Through user research, I identified that:

  • the process of applying for jobs should be fast and easy to understand, 
  • immigrants need to know detailed visa process and are in need of legal aid
  • users desire more real-life networking events to connect with employers and other job seekers
  • offering access to career coaching services can help them navigate the job search process and make informed decisions about their career

User Persona: Meet Chris

Chris is a first generation immigrant, who needs a job platform which lets him to apply for jobs easily. He also wants to make job search process quick, build professional connections and found out more about legal procedures in the countries of his interest. 

Chris' User Journey

I developed a user journey man for Chris to identify the opportunities for enhancement and discover any user difficulties.

Competitive audit

 

My next step was to identify the latest trends and to uncover the best practices in the market. I analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of similar platforms, including well-known ones as Glassdoor, Indeed, Monster and also smaller businesses and non-profit organisations. This way I gained a better understanding of the user experience and what features are the most important to immigrants seeking for job opportunities.

Phase 2: Starting the Design

Building a sitemap

The goal was to ensure that users could easily find and access the information and tools they needed to succeed in their job search. I also included an opportunity for employers to sign up and start posting job vacancies.

Paper wireframes

Next, I drew rough sketches of the website layout on paper. This method allows me to quickly make changes and ensure that the final design incorporates the most effective solutions to address user concerns.

Digital wireframes

Low-fidelity prototype

                            

To prepare for usability testing, I created a low-fidelity prototype that connected the user flow of applying for a job and also accessing website’s and dedicated app’s resources.

Phase 3: Test & Refine

Usability study

These were the main findings uncovered by the usability study: 

Responsive design

To ensure that the job search platform is accessible to everyone, I implemented a responsive design approach. This involved optimizing the website’s layout and functionality to accommodate the specific needs of each device and screen size.

The Result

Impact

While the job search platform is still in development, feedback from user testing has been positive. One participant remarked, “This platform makes the job search process less overwhelming and more accessible for those of us who are navigating in a new country and culture.”

What I learned

Throughout this project, I learned the importance of responsive design and how it can enhance user’s experience. I also gained experience in designing for a specific target audience and considering their unique needs and preferences.

What comes next?

  • Conduct additional user testing and research to further refine the platform based on feedback from users.
  • Expand the platform to include additional resources and support for first-generation immigrants, such as legal advice or access to community organizations.
  • Collaborate with employers and organizations to develop job opportunities and partnerships specifically for immigrants.