Making fair hiring easy

Making fair hiring easy

Making fair hiring easy

Making fair hiring easy

Making fair hiring easy

SUMMARY

SUMMARY

SUMMARY

SUMMARY

SUMMARY

I led the redesign to build structure and clarity into Applied's core assessment method, creating support for users incorporating sift questions into their hiring practice.

I led the redesign to build structure and clarity into Applied's core assessment method, creating support for users incorporating sift questions into their hiring practice.

I led the redesign to build structure and clarity into Applied's core assessment method, creating support for users incorporating sift questions into their hiring practice.

I led the redesign to build structure and clarity into Applied's core assessment method, creating support for users incorporating sift questions into their hiring practice.

I led the redesign to build structure and clarity into Applied's core assessment method, creating support for users incorporating sift questions into their hiring practice.

OUTCOMES

OUTCOMES

OUTCOMES

OUTCOMES

OUTCOMES

Using a combination of remote user research and group ideation sessions, our MVP solution has increased better assessment practice by 6 - 12% across different customer cohorts. 

Using a combination of remote user research and group ideation sessions, our MVP solution has increased better assessment practice by 6 - 12% across different customer cohorts. 

Using a combination of remote user research and group ideation sessions, our MVP solution has increased better assessment practice by 6 - 12% across different customer cohorts. 

Using a combination of remote user research and group ideation sessions, our MVP solution has increased better assessment practice by 6 - 12% across different customer cohorts. 

Using a combination of remote user research and group ideation sessions, our MVP solution has increased better assessment practice by 6 - 12% across different customer cohorts. 

What is Applied?

What is Applied?

What is Applied?

What is Applied?

What is Applied?

Applied helps organisations hire more effectively and fairly using sift questions. Backed by behavioural science, the sift process is a vital step in the hiring process that replaces CVs with work sample questions.

Applied helps organisations hire more effectively and fairly using sift questions. Backed by behavioural science, the sift process is a vital step in the hiring process that replaces CVs with work sample sift questions.

Applied helps organisations hire more effectively and fairly using sift questions. Backed by behavioural science, the sift process is a vital step in the hiring process that replaces CVs with work sample sift questions.

Applied helps organisations hire more effectively and fairly using sift questions. Backed by behavioural science, the sift process is a vital step in the hiring process that replaces CVs with work sample sift questions.

Applied helps organisations hire more effectively and fairly using sift questions. Backed by behavioural science, the sift process is a vital step in the hiring process that replaces CVs with work sample sift questions.

The challenge

The challenge

The challenge

The challenge

The challenge

Through feedback sessions with our Customer Success team, we had observed that our users were struggling to write sift questions that effectively and fairly assessed their candidates. Users were expected to replace the familiarity of CVs with a new hiring method without providing them with any support in-app.

Through feedback sessions with our Customer Success team, we had observed that our users were struggling to write sift questions that effectively and fairly assessed their candidates. Users were expected to replace the familiarity of CVs with a new hiring method without providing them with any support in-app.

Through feedback sessions with our Customer Success team, we had observed that our users were struggling to write sift questions that effectively and fairly assessed their candidates. Users were expected to replace the familiarity of CVs with a new hiring method without providing them with any support in-app.

Through feedback sessions with our Customer Success team, we had observed that our users were struggling to write sift questions that effectively and fairly assessed their candidates. Users were expected to replace the familiarity of CVs with a new hiring method without providing them with any support in-app.

Through feedback sessions with our Customer Success team, we had observed that our users were struggling to write sift questions that effectively and fairly assessed their candidates. Users were expected to replace the familiarity of CVs with a new hiring method without providing them with any support in-app.

Hurting the business bottom line

Hurting the business bottom line

Hurting the business bottom line

Hurting the business bottom line

Hurting the business bottom line

The Research team identified that incorrect use of the platform was linked to churning customers. Sift questions without skills and review guides attached were big indicators, affecting our customers' hiring experience and success of finding the right talent.

The Research team identified that incorrect use of the platform was linked to churning customers. Sift questions without skills and review guides attached were big indicators, affecting our customers' hiring experience and success of finding the right talent.

The Research team identified that incorrect use of the platform was linked to churning customers. Sift questions without skills and review guides attached were big indicators, affecting our customers' hiring experience and success of finding the right talent.

The Research team identified that incorrect use of the platform was linked to churning customers. Sift questions without skills and review guides attached were big indicators, affecting our customers' hiring experience and success of finding the right talent.

The Research team identified that incorrect use of the platform was linked to churning customers. Sift questions without skills and review guides attached were big indicators, affecting our customers' hiring experience and success of finding the right talent.

My role

My role

My role

My role

My role

Working agile with a focus on speed to market, we had to release an MVP within 3 months, my task was to:

• discover and define users' pain points through research interviews;
• collaborate and ideate with stakeholders to uncover MVP solutions;
• design solutions and conduct usability tests to ensure effectiveness.

Working agile with a focus on speed to market, we had to release an MVP within 3 months, my task was to:

• discover and define users' pain points through research interviews;
• collaborate and ideate with stakeholders to uncover MVP solutions; 
• design solutions and conduct usability tests to ensure effectiveness.

Working agile with a focus on speed to market, we had to release an MVP within 3 months, my task was to:

• discover and define users' pain points through research interviews;
• collaborate and ideate with stakeholders to uncover MVP solutions;
• design solutions and conduct usability tests to ensure effectiveness.

Working agile with a focus on speed to market, we had to release an MVP within 3 months, my task was to:

• discover and define users' pain points through research interviews;
• collaborate and ideate with stakeholders to uncover MVP solutions;
• design solutions and conduct usability tests to ensure effectiveness.

Working agile with a focus on speed to market, we had to release an MVP within 3 months, my task was to:

• discover and define users' pain points through research interviews;
• collaborate and ideate with stakeholders to uncover MVP solutions;
• design solutions and conduct usability tests to ensure effectiveness.

The approach

The approach

The approach

The approach

The approach

Due to time constraints, we opted for a lean UX approach, emphasising just enough research, ideating collaboratively, and rapid sketching and prototyping to validate designs internally and test externally. We re-used existing components to save on build time and develop consistency.

Due to time constraints, we opted for a lean UX approach, emphasising just enough research, ideating collaboratively, and rapid sketching and prototyping to validate designs internally and test externally. We re-used existing components to save on build time and develop consistency.

Due to time constraints, we opted for a lean UX approach, emphasising just enough research, ideating collaboratively, and rapid sketching and prototyping to validate designs internally and test externally. We re-used existing components to save on build time and develop consistency.

Due to time constraints, we opted for a lean UX approach, emphasising just enough research, ideating collaboratively, and rapid sketching and prototyping to validate designs internally and test externally. We re-used existing components to save on build time and develop consistency.

Due to time constraints, we opted for a lean UX approach, emphasising just enough research, ideating collaboratively, and rapid sketching and prototyping to validate designs internally and test externally. We re-used existing components to save on build time and develop consistency.

The discovery

The discovery

The discovery

The discovery

The discovery

We worked with the Customer Success team to identify core users struggling with this problem. We mapped them against previously defined proto-personas and recruited users based on behavioural variables covering hiring experience, affinity with CVs and interactions with HR.

I conducted several remote user interviews to uncover the different facets that contributed to their struggle of writing sift questions.

We worked with the Customer Success team to identify core users struggling with this problem. We mapped them against previously defined proto-personas and recruited users based on behavioural variables covering hiring experience, affinity with CVs and interactions with HR.

I conducted several remote user interviews to uncover the different facets that contributed to their struggle of writing sift questions.

We worked with the Customer Success team to identify core users struggling with this problem. We mapped them against previously defined proto-personas and recruited users based on behavioural variables covering hiring experience, affinity with CVs and interactions with HR.

I conducted several remote user interviews to uncover the different facets that contributed to their struggle of writing sift questions.

We worked with the Customer Success team to identify core users struggling with this problem. We mapped them against previously defined proto-personas and recruited users based on behavioural variables covering hiring experience, affinity with CVs and interactions with HR.

I conducted several remote user interviews to uncover the different facets that contributed to their struggle of writing sift questions.

We worked with the Customer Success team to identify core users struggling with this problem. We mapped them against previously defined proto-personas and recruited users based on behavioural variables covering hiring experience, affinity with CVs and interactions with HR.

I conducted several remote user interviews to uncover the different facets that contributed to their struggle of writing sift questions.

Research insights

Research insights

Research insights

Research insights

Research insights

Collaboration happens off-app

Collaboration happens off-app

Collaboration happens off-app

Collaboration happens off-app

Collaboration happens off-app

In some larger organisations, Hiring Managers do not interact with Applied. Instead, they use Google Docs to draft questions with colleagues.

In some larger organisations, Hiring Managers do not interact with Applied. Instead, they use Google Docs to draft questions with colleagues.

In some larger organisations, Hiring Managers do not interact with Applied. Instead, they use Google Docs to draft questions with colleagues.

In some larger organisations, Hiring Managers do not interact with Applied. Instead, they use Google Docs to draft questions with colleagues.

In some larger organisations, Hiring Managers do not interact with Applied. Instead, they use Google Docs to draft questions with colleagues.

Clearer assessment standards required

Clearer assessment standards required

Clearer assessment standards required

Clearer assessment standards required

Clearer assessment standards required

Job Admins and Hiring Managers want more structure to help write sift questions. They want company consistency to ensure fair hiring takes place across the board.

Job Admins and Hiring Managers want more structure to help write sift questions. They want company consistency to ensure fair hiring takes place across the board.

Job Admins and Hiring Managers want more structure to help write sift questions. They want company consistency to ensure fair hiring takes place across the board.

Job Admins and Hiring Managers want more structure to help write sift questions. They want company consistency to ensure fair hiring takes place across the board.

Job Admins and Hiring Managers want more structure to help write sift questions. They want company consistency to ensure fair hiring takes place across the board.

More examples needed

More examples needed

More examples needed

More examples needed

More examples needed

Users want guidance on what types of questions to ask, and more examples of what a good question entails.

Users want guidance on what types of questions to ask, and more examples of what a good question entails.

Users want guidance on what types of questions to ask, and more examples of what a good question entails.

Users want guidance on what types of questions to ask, and more examples of what a good question entails.

Users want guidance on what types of questions to ask, and more examples of what a good question entails.

Time pressure

Time pressure

Time pressure

Time pressure

Time pressure

Users struggle to find time to create good sift questions that meaningfully assesses what they are looking for.

Users struggle to find time to create good sift questions that meaningfully assesses what they are looking for.

Users struggle to find time to create good sift questions that meaningfully assesses what they are looking for.

Users struggle to find time to create good sift questions that meaningfully assesses what they are looking for.

Users struggle to find time to create good sift questions that meaningfully assesses what they are looking for.

Diverging and converging with stakeholders

Diverging and converging with stakeholders

Diverging and converging with stakeholders

Diverging and converging with stakeholders

Diverging and converging with stakeholders

Working with the Product Manager we synthesised the insights from our research to define a problem statement we could align ourselves with:

Working with the Product Manager we synthesised the insights from our research to define a problem statement we could align ourselves with:

Working with the Product Manager we synthesised the insights from our research to define a problem statement we could align ourselves with:

I sketched wireframes and ran a number of design crits with Product, Tech and Customer Success teams, making iterations following their feedback. 

I sketched wireframes and ran a number of design crits with Product, Tech and Customer Success teams, making iterations following their feedback. 

Presenting these insights, I led an ideation session with stakeholders who had interacted with users across the conversion funnel and could offer unique perspectives. We generated ideas independently and converged to discuss potential solutions, dot voting on the biggest impact ideas.

Working with the Product Manager, we assessed ideas against our appetite for build times. With a three month deadline to research, design, test and build a solution, we prioritised MVPs that offered:

1. clearer assessment standards;
2. guidance on the writing process;
3. support for collaborative sift writing.

Presenting these insights, I led an ideation session with stakeholders who had interacted with users across the conversion funnel and could offer unique perspectives. We generated ideas independently and converged to discuss potential solutions, dot voting on the biggest impact ideas.

Working with the Product Manager, we assessed ideas against our appetite for build times. With a three month deadline to research, design, test and build a solution, we prioritised MVPs that offered:

1. clearer assessment standards;
2. guidance on the writing process;
3. support for collaborative sift writing.

Presenting these insights, I led an ideation session with stakeholders who had interacted with users across the conversion funnel and could offer unique perspectives. We generated ideas independently and converged to discuss potential solutions, dot voting on the biggest impact ideas.

Working with the Product Manager, we assessed ideas against our appetite for build times. With a three month deadline to research, design, test and build a solution, we prioritised MVPs that offered:

1. clearer assessment standards;
2. guidance on the writing process;
3. support for collaborative sift writing.

Presenting these insights, I led an ideation session with stakeholders who had interacted with users across the conversion funnel and could offer unique perspectives. We generated ideas independently and converged to discuss potential solutions, dot voting on the biggest impact ideas.

Working with the Product Manager, we assessed ideas against our appetite for build times. With a three month deadline to research, design, test and build a solution, we prioritised MVPs that offered:

1. clearer assessment standards;
2. guidance on the writing process;
3. support for collaborative sift writing.

Presenting these insights, I led an ideation session with stakeholders who had interacted with users across the conversion funnel and could offer unique perspectives. We generated ideas independently and converged to discuss potential solutions, dot voting on the biggest impact ideas.

Working with the Product Manager, we assessed ideas against our appetite for build times. With a three month deadline to research, design, test and build a solution, we prioritised MVPs that offered:

1. clearer assessment standards;
2. guidance on the writing process;
3. support for collaborative sift writing.

Design, test and iterate

Design, test and iterate

Design, test and iterate

Design, test and iterate

Design, test and iterate

I sketched wireframes and ran a number of design crits with Product, Tech and Customer Success teams, making iterations following their feedback. 

I sketched wireframes and ran a number of design crits with Product, Tech and Customer Success teams, making iterations following their feedback. 

I sketched wireframes and ran a number of design crits with Product, Tech and Customer Success teams, making iterations following their feedback. 

I sketched wireframes and ran a number of design crits, making iterations following feedback from Product, Tech and Customer Success teams.

I sketched wireframes and ran a number of design crits, making iterations following feedback from Product, Tech and Customer Success teams.

Exploration

Exploration

Exploration

Exploration

Exploration

Initial ideas explored wizard and progressive displays to reduce clutter and prioritise users' attention. However, our research indicated that they regularly referred back to previous steps, and so the interference of moving back and forth would outweigh the benefits of a minimal screen.

I also considered pre-populated suggestions to reduce cognitive effort, however, time constraints put this on the back-burner for our MVP release.

Initial ideas explored wizard and progressive displays to reduce clutter and prioritise users' attention. However, our research indicated that they regularly referred back to previous steps, and so the interference of moving back and forth would outweigh the benefits of a minimal screen.

I also considered pre-populated suggestions to reduce cognitive effort, however, time constraints put this on the back-burner for our MVP release.

Initial ideas explored wizard and progressive displays to reduce clutter and prioritise users' attention. However, our research indicated that they regularly referred back to previous steps, and so the interference of moving back and forth would outweigh the benefits of a minimal screen.

I also considered pre-populated suggestions to reduce cognitive effort, however, time constraints put this on the back-burner for our MVP release.

Initial ideas explored wizard and progressive displays to reduce clutter and prioritise users' attention. However, our research indicated that they regularly referred back to previous steps, and so the interference of moving back and forth would outweigh the benefits of a minimal screen.

I also considered pre-populated suggestions to reduce cognitive effort, however, time constraints put this on the back-burner for our MVP release.

Initial ideas explored wizard and progressive displays to reduce clutter and prioritise users' attention. However, our research indicated that they regularly referred back to previous steps, and so the interference of moving back and forth would outweigh the benefits of a minimal screen.

I also considered pre-populated suggestions to reduce cognitive effort, however, time constraints put this on the back-burner for our MVP release.

The solution

The solution

The solution

The solution

The solution

• We expanded content in cards based on average word counts in our database, making it easier to review the whole sift assessment together.
• Missing skills or review guides are highlighted with labels, encouraging a complete assessment to aid the entire hiring process.
• Benefits of adding skills and review guides are prominently communicated, new progress bars nudge users to add them.
  

• We expanded content in cards based on average word counts in our database, making it easier to review the whole sift assessment together.
• Missing skills or review guides are highlighted with labels, encouraging a complete assessment to aid the entire hiring process.
• Benefits of adding skills and review guides are prominently communicated, new progress bars nudge users to add them.

• We expanded content in cards based on average word counts in our database, making it easier to review the whole sift assessment together.
• Missing skills or review guides are highlighted with labels, encouraging a complete assessment to aid the entire hiring process.
• Benefits of adding skills and review guides are prominently communicated, new progress bars nudge users to add them.

• We expanded content in cards based on average word counts in our database, making it easier to review the whole sift assessment together.
• Missing skills or review guides are highlighted with labels, encouraging a complete assessment to aid the entire hiring process.
• Benefits of adding skills and review guides are prominently communicated, new progress bars nudge users to add them.

• We expanded content in cards based on average word counts in our database, making it easier to review the whole sift assessment together.
• Missing skills or review guides are highlighted with labels, encouraging a complete assessment to aid the entire hiring process.
• Benefits of adding skills and review guides are prominently communicated, new progress bars nudge users to add them.

• Clear guidance specifies what needs to be done at each stage.
• Inspiration and examples are now only a click away.
• A clear empty state guides users to add missing skills.
• A new order structure helps users focus on the three core tasks first.

• Clear guidance specifies what needs to be done at each stage.
• Inspiration and examples are now only a click away.
• A clear empty state guides users to add missing skills.
• A new order structure helps users focus on the three core tasks first.

• Clear guidance specifies what needs to be done at each stage.
• Inspiration and examples are now only a click away.
• A clear empty state guides users to add missing skills.
• A new order structure helps users focus on the three core tasks first.

• Clear guidance specifies what needs to be done at each stage.
• Inspiration and examples are now only a click away.
• A clear empty state guides users to add missing skills.
• A new order structure helps users focus on the three core tasks first.

• Clear guidance specifies what needs to be done at each stage.
• Inspiration and examples are now only a click away.
• A clear empty state guides users to add missing skills.
• A new order structure helps users focus on the three core tasks first.

Wireflows and handoffs

Wireflows and handoffs

Wireflows and handoffs

Wireflows and handoffs

Wireflows and handoffs

I created a wireflow to work through all use cases, which supported refinement meetings and Tech handoff.

I created a wireflow to work through all use cases, which supported refinement meetings and Tech handoff.

I created a wireflow to work through all use cases, which supported refinement meetings and Tech handoff.

I created a wireflow to work through all use cases, which supported refinement meetings and Tech handoff.

I created a wireflow to work through all use cases, which supported refinement meetings and Tech handoff.

Timely support

Timely support

Timely support

Timely support

Timely support

I updated the email users received when creating their first role. The previous design had a 0% click rate and linked to resources more relevant to the end of the hiring process. The new design and copy provide more timely resources that match their needs in the hiring journey.

I updated the email users received when creating their first role. The previous design had a 0% click rate and linked to resources more relevant to the end of the hiring process. The new design and copy provide more timely resources that match their needs in the hiring journey.

I updated the email users received when creating their first role. The previous design had a 0% click rate and linked to resources more relevant to the end of the hiring process. The new design and copy provide more timely resources that match their needs in the hiring journey.

I updated the email users received when creating their first role. The previous design had a 0% click rate and linked to resources more relevant to the end of the hiring process. The new design and copy provide more timely resources that match their needs in the hiring journey.

I updated the email users received when creating their first role. The previous design had a 0% click rate and linked to resources more relevant to the end of the hiring process. The new design and copy provide more timely resources that match their needs in the hiring journey.

Support across touchpoints

Support across touchpoints

Support across touchpoints

Support across touchpoints

Support across touchpoints

I created a set of walk-through Google Doc templates to draft sift questions, iterating on an earlier version our Customer Success Manager had created. Our MVP solution now extends support beyond the app, to facilitate better collaboration between Hiring Managers and Job Admins. 

I created a set of walk-through Google Doc templates to draft sift questions, iterating on an earlier version our Customer Success Manager had created. Our MVP solution now extends support beyond the app, to facilitate better collaboration between Hiring Managers and Job Admins. 

I created a set of walk-through Google Doc templates to draft sift questions, iterating on an earlier version our Customer Success Manager had created. Our MVP solution now extends support beyond the app, to facilitate better collaboration between Hiring Managers and Job Admins. 

I created a set of walk-through Google Doc templates to draft sift questions, iterating on an earlier version our Customer Success Manager had created. Our MVP solution now extends support beyond the app, to facilitate better collaboration between Hiring Managers and Job Admins. 

I created a set of walk-through Google Doc templates to draft sift questions, iterating on an earlier version our Customer Success Manager had created. Our MVP solution now extends support beyond the app, to facilitate better collaboration between Hiring Managers and Job Admins.

Atomic consistency

Atomic consistency

Atomic consistency

Atomic consistency

Atomic consistency

Alongside the hi-fidelity designs, I documented all components in a Design System to support future consistency and efficient re-use. 

Alongside the hi-fidelity designs, I documented all components in a Design System to support future consistency and efficient re-use. 

Alongside the hi-fidelity designs, I documented all components in a Design System to support future consistency and efficient re-use. 

Alongside the hi-fidelity designs, I documented all components in a Design System to support future consistency and efficient re-use. 

Alongside the hi-fidelity designs, I documented all components in a Design System to support future consistency and efficient re-use. 

The impact

The impact

The impact

The impact

The impact

6-12% increase in roles using sift questions that follow better assessment practices, contributing to our north star metric of making hiring fairer for all.

6-12% increase in roles using sift questions that follow better assessment practices, contributing to our north star metric of making hiring fairer for all.

6-12% increase in roles using sift questions that follow better assessment practices, contributing to our north star metric of making hiring fairer for all.

6-12% increase in roles using sift questions that follow better assessment practices, contributing to our north star metric of making hiring fairer for all.

6-12% increase in roles using sift questions that follow better assessment practices, contributing to our north star metric of making hiring fairer for all.

View more projects

View more projects

View more projects

View more projects

View more projects

Review flow

Review flow

Review flow

Review flow

Review flow

Redesigning Applied's assessment experience

Redesigning Applied's assessment experience

Redesigning Applied's assessment experience

Redesigning Applied's assessment experience

Redesigning Applied's assessment experience

Alumni email newsletter

Alumni email newsletter

Alumni email newsletter

Alumni email newsletter

Alumni email newsletter

Redesigning the conversation with 80,000 subscribers

Redesigning the conversation with 80,000 subscribers

Redesigning the conversation with 80,000 subscribers

Redesigning the conversation with 80,000 subscribers

Redesigning the conversation with 80,000 subscribers

CONTACT

CONTACT

CONTACT

CONTACT

CONTACT

xuanhey@gmail.com

xuanhey@gmail.com

xuanhey@gmail.com

xuanhey@gmail.com
LinkedIn

xuanhey@gmail.com
LinkedIn