Seasoned
Helping restaurant workers review and edit job applications.
UX/UI case study, 2022
Project background
Seasoned helps those in the restaurant industry find work and connect with a community (think LinkedIn but for restaurant workers).
Our OKR was to increase the number of applications per each applicant.
UX issues
The previous experience made it super easy to apply to multiple jobs on Seasoned. However, the over-simplified job application made it difficult to edit an application and created confusion for jobseekers.
APP EXPERIENCE
Applying in the app, 2021
Seasoned's job application consists of 5 questions that actually matter to restaurant managers. All future applications use those same answers. However, applicants can't see or change their responses after their first application.
1st application
After the 1st application…
…an applicant could not view or edit these screens again.
Getting insights from the feed
Frustrated by the application experience, jobseekers shared posts to the feed seeking help.
Further investigation uncovered:
01.
With such a short application, jobseekers were unaware of what was actually shared with hiring managers. This led to distrust and feeling like the application was fake.
02.
They felt the application didn’t provide enough information for them to stand out, and had little confidence that they’d hear back.
03.
It was too easy and some users applied to many, many jobs without thought, and likely had little intent of going to an interview.
Not all friction is bad.
Previously upper management’s focus was on ease of use. They believed that the fewer steps in the application the better.
However, after feedback and research demonstrated that the application was too easy, provided confusion, and caused low confidence in users and distrust in Seasoned.
Concepts and iterations
Referencing best practices from eCommerce, a review screen informed applicants of their responses prior sending.
Additional UI, copy, and minor UX issues were also explored to improve usability.
APP EXPERIENCE
Usability testing
Two prototypes were taken to jobseekers through UserTesting. Participants were asked to apply to multiple jobs so that we could learn:
Was the second application clear?
Should the review screen be the last step or after all the profile information was filled out?
Review different edit interactions.
Did users expect the information to be displayed in their profile?
APP EXPERIENCE
APP EXPERIENCE
The app solution
Adding a review screen before every application gives jobseekers a chance to see and edit their application before sending.
After their first application, they still see the shortened application experience but with the review screen. This keeps the application process simple while letting them know what's sent to managers.
Second application>
Solution:
Add a revew & submit screen
APP EXPERIENCE
Review screen details
Restaurant location
We received feedback that some applicants were applying to the wrong franchise location. The map highlights the restaurant’s location before sending.
Interviews status
An applicant requests an interview time when they apply. However, those requested interviews were sometimes mistaken for scheduled interviews. We made several corrections to clarify this status, and repeated the same copy here.
View and edit information
Applicants can see what's actually shared to managers and edit any details before sending.
Edit >
<Save
APP EXPERIENCE
Profile: repurposing the work experience
Jobseekers also looked to their profile to find and edit their resume information. After releasing the application updates, we added the same work experience information on their own the profile.
before >
<after
APP EXPERIENCE
Additional app updates
Technical issues that affected the usability, as well as other UI and copy changes, were also addressed with this work.
WEB EXPERIENCE
Applications on the web, 2021
While similar to the app, web applicants did not have a profile on web. However Seasoned stored applicant’s answers for 3 days. Within those 3 days, previous responses were used on applications despite job seekers having no way to view or edit these answers.
1st application
After the 1st application …
…an applicant could not view or edit these screens.
WEB EXPERIENCE
The web solution
Our web experience does not have profiles or logins for our users. Therefore, we opted to show every question of the application, and display their previous answers ONLY within the same web session.
After the first application
If applicants are within the same session as a previous application, they are presented with every screen again, but their previous answers are remembered. Applicants can review their prior selections before continuing.
First applications
On the first application within a new web session users still see every screen in the application flow.
Other UI updates include:
A stepper to let applicants know how quickly they can complete an application.
UI and copy updates from the app, such as button styles and form styles.