Simplifying LinkedIn job search to increase engagement
Simplifying LinkedIn job search to increase engagement
Simplifying LinkedIn job search to increase engagement
INTRODUCTION
Simplifying LinkedIn job search is a design-led project focused on improving the user experience, where we explored why job seekers often feel confused, ignored, or exhausted, and designed solutions to make finding and applying for jobs simpler, clearer, and more engaging.
Simplifying LinkedIn job search is a design-led project focused on improving the user experience, where we explored why job seekers often feel confused, ignored, or exhausted, and designed solutions to make finding and applying for jobs simpler, clearer, and more engaging.
My Role
I contributed to all stages of this case study, from conducting user research and interviews, to ideation, UI design, prototyping, and testing. I was involved throughout the entire process, shaping a more efficient and satisfying job search experience.
I contributed to all stages of this case study, from conducting user research and interviews, to ideation, UI design, prototyping, and testing. I was involved throughout the entire process, shaping a more efficient and satisfying job search experience.
Methods
Desk Research
User Interviews
User Persona
Journey Map
Competitor Analysis
Impact–Effort Matrix
Testing
Our Team
2 UX/UI designers
My role
User researcher, Visual designer
Duration
May 2025-July 2025
Our Mentor
Problem Discovery
The Job Search Experience on LinkedIn often Leaves Users Feeling Uncertain, Overwhelmed, and Unsupported.
The Job Search Experience on LinkedIn often Leaves Users Feeling Uncertain, Overwhelmed, and Unsupported.
Our research and competitive analysis showed that people struggle to stay engaged because they can’t easily track the progress of their applications, face irrelevant or low quality job listings, and rarely receive meaningful communication or feedback. On top of this, the constant need to modify resumes and the fear of being visible to current employers create additional stress that pushes users away from the platform. This led us to ask:
Our research and competitive analysis showed that people struggle to stay engaged because they can’t easily track the progress of their applications, face irrelevant or low quality job listings, and rarely receive meaningful communication or feedback. On top of this, the constant need to modify resumes and the fear of being visible to current employers create additional stress that pushes users away from the platform. This led us to ask:
The unseen efforts and challenges behind getting hired
The unseen efforts and challenges
behind getting hired
Context
Lost Beyond Scrolling: A Day in the Life of a Job Seeker on LinkedIn
Lost Beyond Scrolling: A Day in the Life of a Job Seeker on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is one of the main platforms for professionals seeking new opportunities and connections. Yet, without strong networks and with repetitive application steps, the job search often becomes slow and discouraging. This storyboard captures a day in the life of a job seeker navigating that experience.
LinkedIn is one of the main platforms for professionals seeking new opportunities and connections. Yet, without strong networks and with repetitive application steps, the job search often becomes slow and discouraging. This storyboard captures a day in the life of a job seeker navigating that experience.
Our Solutions
Designing a Transparent, Supportive, and Smarter Job Search on LinkedIn
Designing a Transparent, Supportive, and Smarter Job Search on LinkedIn
1. Application Tracking
A clear design for every application
A clear design for every application
• See all jobs you have applied to with clear
• See all jobs you have applied to with clear
statuses (submitted, viewed, rejected)
statuses (submitted, viewed, rejected)
• Get gentle reminders for follow-ups and upcoming interviews.
• Get gentle reminders for follow-ups and upcoming interviews.
2. Verified Jobs & Smart Matching
Finding roles that are real and relevant.
Finding roles that are real and relevant.
• Spot reliable job listings with verification and hiring history signals.
• Use smart filters and job match score to cut out spam and irrelevant jobs.
• Spot reliable job listings with verification and hiring history signals.
• Use smart filters and job match score to cut out spam and irrelevant jobs.
3. Career Circles & Feedback
Support from people who have been there.
Support from people who have been there.
• Share resumes, portfolios, or posts inside focused Career Circles.
• Receive practical feedback from peers and verified mentors in one place.
• Share resumes, portfolios, or posts inside focused Career Circles.
• Receive practical feedback from peers and verified mentors in one place.
4. AI Resume & Application Support
Better applications with less efforts.
Better applications with less efforts.
• Let AI highlight gaps and missing keywords for each role.
• Quickly generate role-specific resumes or cover letters based on the job description.
• Let AI highlight gaps and missing keywords for each role.
• Quickly generate role-specific resumes or cover letters based on the job description.
5. Targeted Visibility Control
Job searching without risking your current role.
Job searching without risking your current role.
• Decide who can see that you’re open to work and where activity is shown.
• Use private modes so you can stay active in the market without feeling exposed.
• Decide who can see that you’re open to work and where activity is shown.
• Use private modes so you can stay active in the market without feeling exposed.
Discovery
Reliability Starts with Verified Jobs: Desk Research Confirmed our Assumptions and Revealed Deeper Problems
Reliability Starts with Verified Jobs: Desk Research Confirmed our Assumptions and Revealed Deeper Problems
The driving factors behind platform choice: transparency and support
The driving factors behind platform choice: transparency and support
To continue the research, we analyzed 9 competitors in the online job search space (Monster, Glassdoor, Fishbowl, StepStone, Xing, Remote, Handshake, Indeed, Upwork).
We learned that:
To continue the research, we analyzed 9 competitors in the online job search space (Monster, Glassdoor, Fishbowl, StepStone, Xing, Remote, Handshake, Indeed, Upwork).
We learned that:
User Perspective
Lost Beyond Scrolling: A Day in the Life of a Job Seeker on LinkedIn
Lost Beyond Scrolling: A Day in the Life of a Job Seeker on LinkedIn
Interviews Exposed the Frustration over Continuous Resume Edits, and Led Us to a Smarter AI Resume Builder
Interviews Exposed the Frustration over Continuous Resume Edits, and Led Us to a Smarter AI Resume Builder
“Job Searching Isn’t Just Finding Work; It Holds a Dream,
a Goal, a Future, and connections.”
“Job Searching Isn’t Just Finding Work; It Holds a Dream, a Goal, a Future, and connections.”
Meet The Users
Designing for the People Behind the Profiles
Designing for the People Behind the Profiles
Before we could design meaningful solutions, we needed to step into the shoes of real job seekers understanding their goals, frustrations, and daily challenges to create personas that reflect the reality of their job search journey.
Before we could design meaningful solutions, we needed to step into the shoes of real job seekers understanding their goals, frustrations, and daily challenges to create personas that reflect the reality of their job search journey.
Idea Prioritization
Ideas That Empower Every Career Journey
Ideas That Empower Every Career Journey
we prioritized ideas that make LinkedIn more personal, supportive, and transparent. The matrix highlighted solutions with the highest impact, clarifying the job search, strengthening connections, and rebuilding user confidence.
we prioritized ideas that make LinkedIn more personal, supportive, and transparent. The matrix highlighted solutions with the highest impact, clarifying the job search, strengthening connections, and rebuilding user confidence.
Bringing Ideas to Life
Bringing Ideas to Life
After ideation, we evaluated solutions based on feasibility, viability, and desirability, prioritizing those that would make job searching clearer, more supportive, and motivating for users.
After ideation, we evaluated solutions based on feasibility, viability, and desirability, prioritizing those that would make job searching clearer, more supportive, and motivating for users.
1. Boosting the job application process through organized tracking
1. Boosting the job application process through organized tracking
2. Enhancing application efficiency with smart resume and cover letter tailoring
2. Enhancing application efficiency with smart resume and cover letter tailoring
3. Building a Trusted Job Feed with Verified Employers and Smart Filters
3. Building a Trusted Job Feed with Verified Employers and Smart Filters
4. Maximizing job opportunities with targeted visibility
4. Maximizing job opportunities with targeted visibility
5. Empowering the inclusive community through a circle of support
5. Empowering the inclusive community through a circle of support
