Timeline:  August 2024 - December 2024

My Role: Directed Study | UX/UI Research & Design

Goal: Redesign Handshake to improve navigation, personalize job recommendations, and boost engagement by addressing user pain points and leveraging competitor insights.

ABOUT

Handshake is a career platform connecting students with employers through job opportunities, internships, and networking events. This project focuses on analyzing its user experience, identifying pain points, and exploring competitors to redesign the platform for a more intuitive, student-centered interface that improves the job search experience.

EARLY INSIGHTS

Job Seeker Expectations & Alternative Strategies.

Gen Z values clear pay, benefits, and flexibility but struggles with outdated recruitment methods like long applications and unclear postings. Networking, referrals, and social media are increasingly effective for personalized job searches.

Limitations of Job Portals & Emerging Trends.

Platforms like Handshake lack personalization, leading to irrelevant matches, while also job boards are overwhelming. AI is streamlining recruitment with resume screening, and video interviews on platforms like Zoom are becoming standard.

RESEARCH METHODS \ QUESTIONS

🗣️ 5 Interviews / 📊 Usability Testing

Here are few questions that I asked for my research…

  1. What features do you find most helpful or frustrating?

  2. How do you access and navigate Handshake?

  3. What challenges do you face using the platform?

  4. What other tools do you use, and why?

  5. How could Handshake improve to meet your needs?

How do students engage with Handshake for job and internship searches?

CLUSTERING ACTIVITY

Emotional Impact & Stress in Job Searching

KEY THEMES

  • Repetitive application processes and lack of responses cause stress and frustration.

  • Users feel unprepared and overwhelmed by the effort required for customization.

  • Passing AI tests adds extra stress and irritation.

User Experience & Navigation Challenges

  • Navigation is hindered by confusing tab hierarchy and mandatory account creation.

  • Some users find the platform easy to use, while others struggle with locating key features.

Decision-Making Factors & Preferences

  • Users prioritize effective filters (e.g., by company) and want more tailored job searches.

  • Clear qualifications and job descriptions are valued over less relevant features.

Organizational & Tracking Difficulties

  • Users face challenges tracking applications due to unclear or underutilized tools.

  • Repetitive tasks like resume customization make the process feel inefficient.

Desire for Advanced, Automated Features

  • Users want AI-driven tools for job advice, resume improvements, and autofill features.

  • Grammar checking and personalized recommendations could improve user satisfaction.

SOLUTION

Streamline applications, improve navigation and job tracking with AI-powered recommendations, autofill, and clear qualifications filters to reduce stress and improve user experience.

SITE MAP / WEBSITE ARCHITECTURE

TESTING & IMPROVEMENTS

Protoypes/ Sketches

Based on various feedback from my Professor, I continually iterated my design:

Showing more details under job application status such as additional information required, etc.
Be able to edit/upload  case study,
Filters on Saved Jobs to see which are urgent/will expire soon.
Color coding based on profile on which job you are qualified.
Networking is essential, adding "My Network" will help students connect.
Finding employers around your area hiring in students major.
Different resources for students that they will find useful in their job search and early career.

Simplified Applications and AI Insights

AI-powered job overviews and an autofill tool to streamline applications, reducing repetitive tasks and tailoring information for specific job postings.

Networking and Community Features

New networking tab connect students with recruiters and peers, while forums enable students, professors, and recruiters to share advice, insights, and opportunities.

Advanced Career Tools

A tracking feature simplifies monitoring application statuses, while an employer directory highlights local hiring companies. The resources page offers tools like AI resume screening to support students’ career growth.

FINAL SOLUTION

CONCLUSION + LESSONS LEARNED

What I learned!

  • Recognized the potential of AI and automation to improve user experiences and simplify complex tasks in career platforms.

  • Gained skills in analyzing user feedback, studying competitors, and implementing practical, innovative solutions.

Thank you! 😊