Hero Hire is an app where veterans or active and reserve soldiers can apply at jobs with special filters that target the same profession in the civilian world as their military career, making the transition easier.
Role
UX Designer - Wireframing, prototyping, interaction, competitive audits, and ideation.
UX Research - User testing, surveys and interviewing.
The Goal
A lot of soldiers have trouble adjusting from military life to civilian life. With this in mind, the goal was to create an app that implemented military abbreviations and filters to directly match civilian jobs to their military jobs.
The Challenge
The problem began where popular and other job applying sites were targeted for only civilians where little military support was implemented.
Tools
Figma, Miro, pen & pencil
Scope
1 Month
SEP 2023 - OTC 2023
I asked several veterans how difficult it was to acquire jobs before or after leaving the military. During this process I learned that the majority of soldiers or veterans had trouble finding jobs that matched their military career path, because the existing job searching sites don’t have features that directly target military members. Using this feedback it was clear that military members were open to an app and site that helped them directly to search for jobs.
• Military Experience Translation
Designing an app that effectively translates Josh's military experience into civilian job qualifications.
• Skill-Centric Filtering
Implementing a filtering system to help Josh search for jobs based on his specific military skills.
• MOS and Education Integration
Creating a website that seamlessly integrates Priya's Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) and education into the job search criteria.
• Alignment of Education and Experience
Ensuring Priya's education and military experience align accurately for suitable senior roles in Human Resource management.
These challenges encompass the most critical aspects for both individuals in their respective job search contexts.
Interviews with veterans revealed a significant challenge in finding jobs aligned with their military career paths due to the limitations of existing job search platforms. The consensus highlighted the need for a specialized app and website directly catering to military members. The critical features identified include Military Experience Translation, Skill-Centric Filtering, and seamless MOS and Education Integration. Ensuring the accurate Alignment of Education and Experience emerged as a vital consideration, emphasizing the necessity of developing a platform tailored to the unique job search contexts of military personnel.
Research insights from veteran interviews informed the rapid ideation process, resulting in initial sketches for a specialized job search platform. Key features like Military Experience Translation and Skill-Centric Filtering were translated into design concepts, aligning with user feedback and shaping the visualized functionalities of the platform.
Building on research and ideation, the project moved into wireframing and prototyping. Refined through Crazy 8's, initial sketches informed detailed wireframes, translating key functionalities into a user-friendly interface. Iterative wireframing ensured precise alignment with identified needs. Progressing into prototyping, these wireframes evolved into interactive previews, marking a pivotal step in turning conceptual designs into a functional job search platform for military members.
Insights from the study guide refinement efforts. Users need improved filter access, prompting implementation in the next testing round. Enhancing the application process, including details like previous MOS job titles, is crucial based on feedback. Positive responses prioritize search and filter functions. Minimal engagement with the save and remove a job feature suggests potential redesign for space optimization. Surprisingly, users navigate seamlessly without a bottom navigation bar, confirming the effectiveness of a hamburger-style menu. These insights conclude the study, detailed further in affinity notes.
In response to user insights, the final prototype incorporated essential features for an enhanced job search experience. Distance functionality was introduced, addressing users' need to gauge the proximity of jobs. The filtering menu underwent improvements to allow users to set job types (remote, hybrid, or on-site) and adjust travel distance, addressing reported concerns. Voice search was also seamlessly integrated, providing users with an efficient and accessible search method. These enhancements reflect a user-centric approach, ensuring a more comprehensive and user-friendly job search platform.
After the app design, I moved to the web sitemap, aligning with the app's user path. This ensures a smooth transition between platforms, maintaining consistency in structure and design for a user-friendly experience.
I replicated the app's user pathway directly into the web sitemap, maintaining a consistent and intuitive navigation structure. This seamless alignment ensures users can effortlessly transition between platforms, experiencing a unified and user-friendly interface.
I refined the app interface, streamlining elements for a polished and cohesive appearance. Additionally, I implemented responsive design principles to ensure optimal user experiences across various devices, enhancing accessibility and usability.
App Prototype
Web PrototypeThe iterative design process, shaped by user feedback and insights, has culminated in a polished job search platform. Key learnings underscore the significance of user-centricity, intuitive navigation, and responsive design. Looking ahead, continuous user testing and feedback will drive ongoing refinement to meet evolving user needs, ensuring a consistently improved user experience.
• User-centric design is paramount for a seamless experience.
• Intuitive navigation significantly contributes to user satisfaction.
• Responsive design ensures optimal usability across diverse devices.
The next steps encompass continuous user testing, feedback incorporation, and ongoing refinement to adapt to evolving user needs. This iterative approach aims for consistent improvement, ensuring the job search platform remains responsive and user-centric.
