Overview

Job Search Platform Redesign

Helping job seekers move from browsing jobs to applying and following through.

This looked like a UI problem.

It wasn’t.

Users were browsing jobs, but leaving before taking action.

a man riding a skateboard on top of a white wall

Challenge

an abstract white background with vertical lines

This looked like a UI problem.

It wasn’t.

Users were browsing jobs, but leaving before taking action.

a man riding a skateboard on top of a white wall

Challenge

an abstract white background with vertical lines

Approach

Better decisions after discovery

I helped users decide faster, then keep going after they applied

Approach

Better decisions after discovery

I helped users decide faster, then keep going after they applied

Impact

+46%

decision confidence

More users moved from browsing to action.

Impact

+46%

decision confidence

More users moved from browsing to action.

The Initial Problem

PM asked me

to refresh the UI.

PM asked me

to refresh the UI.

PM asked me

to refresh the UI.

The request sounded simple.

The behavior didn’t.

The Reality

84%

84%

84%

of users left after browsing

of users left after browsing

of users left after browsing

Browsed jobs 100%

Research

Applied (16%)

The Initial Problem

The Initial Problem

It wasn’t a

UI problem.

It wasn’t a

UI problem.

Can’t Decide

Users leave because they can’t decide with confidence. Information architecture failed to provide clarity.

Can’t Continue

Users leave because the workflow breaks inside the product. The loop was incomplete.

Reframe

Decision happens outside.

Workflow happens outside.

Decision happens outside. Workflow happens outside.

Decision Gap

International students left Haitou to verify sponsorship and work authorization externally.

Workflow Gap

After applying, users tracked applications in spreadsheets or Notion.

Evidence

The behavior was consistent.

The behavior was consistent.

25

25

Interviews conducted

Interviews conducted

200+

200+

Survey responses

Survey responses

96%

96%

International students

International students

Needed employer sponsorship;

Applied broadly while transitioning into tech

Needed employer sponsorship;

Applied broadly while transitioning into tech

What target users actually did

What target users actually did

0%
0%
0%

Verified sponsorship externally

Prefers interactive & gamified participation.

0%
0%
0%

Tracked multiple applications externally

Needs community-driven engagement.

0%
0%
0%

Applied broadly through external portals

Applied broadly through external portals

Needs community-driven engagement.

"I spend hours on LinkedIn checking if companies sponsor visas before I even look at the job. Haitou makes me do the same thing."

Andrew Lee,
Interview participant, STEM student

Andrew Lee,
Interview participant, STEM student

REFRAME

REFRAME

Recalibration changed what we designed for

Recalibration changed what we designed for

Recalibration changed what we designed for

We shifted from optimizing for browsing efficiency to supporting better decisions after discovery.

We shifted from optimizing for browsing efficiency to supporting better decisions after discovery.

Before

Scan speed

Filter efficiency

Listing clarity

Apply conversion

After

Faster job evaluation

Faster job evaluation

Stronger trust signals

Stronger trust signals

Better decision support

Better decision support

A workflow users could continue to apply

A workflow users could continue to apply

I prioritized features that reduce decision friction

I prioritized features that reduce decision friction

I prioritized features that reduce decision friction

I reframed job search
as a decision workflow.

The Pivot:
I reframed job search
as a decision workflow.

I reframed job search
as a decision workflow.

Connecting users in the loop at every stage.

SOLUTION

SOLUTION

Built for 3-second scanning.

Built for 3-second scanning.

I prioritized decision signals

so users could scan fit faster.

I prioritized decision signals

so users could scan fit faster.

See blockers first
Trust what’s shown
Only show when it’s clear

Clear next steps to "Apply" and follow through.

Once users found a promising role,

the same signals carried into action.

1

Decide

2

Apply

3

Track

4

Outreach

I replaced abstract scores
with clear reasons users could trust.

I replaced abstract scores
with clear reasons users could trust

AI Insights in motion

AI Insights in motion

Subtle motion made the guidance feel more responsive and easier to follow.

Solution

Solution

Close the loop:

Decide → Apply → Track→ Outreach.

Close the loop:

Decide → Apply → Track→ Outreach.

Applications

Updated just now

U

Uber

Product Designer

Interview

Today

M

Meta

UX Researcher

Applied

2d ago

A

Airbnb

Product Designer

Saved

1w ago

After users made a decision,
I gave them a place to keep momentum

After users made a decision,
I gave them a place to keep momentum

A tracker turned one-off decisions into an ongoing workflow.

1

Decide

2

Applied

3

Track

4

Outreach

SOLUTION

SOLUTION

Designed as a system

not a single page.

Designed as a system

not a single page.

I turned decision logic

into a consistent system

I turned decision logic

into a consistent system

Tracking supported real follow-through, not just status logging.

Impact

Impact

More users moved

from discovery to action

Users were more likely to continue after discovery

+46%

+46%

Increase in decision confidence,

leading to more users taking next actions

↓ Drop-off

↓ Drop-off

Reduced drop-off between job view and action

↑ Apply

↑ Apply

Saved roles were more likely to become applications.

↑ In-platform

↑ In-platform

Users began applying and tracking within the product.

I didn't redesign a UI.

I redesigned how users decide and act.

I didn't redesign a UI.

I redesigned how users decide and act.

What I Learned

What I Learned

Three things I'd carry

into any complex-domain project.

Three things I'd carry

into any complex-domain project.

Three things I'd carry into any complex-domain project.

01

Retention is often a workflow fracture.

02

Eligibility isn't metadata. It's architecture.

03

Trust is built through clarity and control.

02

Eligibility isn't metadata. It's architecture.

03

Trust is built through clarity and control.

Closing thought

"Eligibility is not metadata.

It is architecture."