Ace every interview and achieve your dream job with the power of AI Interview Ziel Coach.
Given the toll on productivity that the pandemic, global recession, and surging unemployment have created, it has become inevitable that the workforce for recent graduates encountered numerous obstacles. After graduating, many assumed that receiving a job offer would be simple once they got a college degree, applied to a few companies, did some interviews, and got hired. While this might be true in a few cases, it is a much more complicated process for most of them. It can take months to find the proper position, and the process can be stressful and overwhelming. It can be multiple reasons why candidates are disqualified during the interview process.
CONTRIBUTIONS
UX Research
Product Design
Visual Design
Prototyping
Branding
TOOLS
Figma
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
TIMELINE
19 weeks
INITIAL PROBLEM DISCOVERY
The primary reason for unsuccessful interview outcomes predominantly stems from a lack of practice
The recent layoffs in the job market have created many challenges, especially for those seeking to establish themselves in their chosen careers. The openings for entry-level positions are scarce, which creates a competitive environment, especially for new graduates. Having the chance to get an interview is already low, and failing a job interview can be as easy as providing insufficient information or being nervous. Unfortunately, many graduates pass the initial stages but fail the interview stage.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
How might we support entry-level professionals who seek to nail their upcoming job interviews while customizing it to align with their preferred roles and professional backgrounds?
INITIAL RESEARCH
What challenges are recent graduates currently facing?
Extensive research reveals that recent graduates encounter numerous challenges in the job market. Limited entry-level opportunities, demand for practical experience, and the burden of student loan debt shape a challenging landscape. The shift to remote work complicates job searches, and graduates need help adapting to evolving industry demands and establishing professional networks. These multifaceted challenges and mental health concerns underscore the complexity of today's employment landscape for graduates.
USER INTERVIEWS
The interview caption highlights!
Inquiring entry-level professionals, recent graduates and college students for their valuable insights
INTERVIEW KEY TAKEAWAYS
Identifying the opportunities through users perspective
Based on the synthesis and clustering generated from the interviews, most candidates have felt unprepared during or after an interview. The most significant challenges users confront in an interview are related to their verbal and physical skills. All candidates are willing to have mentorship to enhance their soft skills or learn new tactics concerning on how to nail an upcoming job interview. Therefore there is an opportunity for a scalable interface that assembles a mock interview scenario that combines visual and hearing mechanisms to recreate an actual interview while forming instant feedback.
TARGET AUDEINCE
Who are the potential users?
As I further explore the project, I have identified three unique users segments within the program. To understand each group comprehensively and improve their respective experiences, I have proactively interacted with them using various methods. Including interviews, intercepts, and observations, while maintaining a well-defined project objective.
College Students
Recent Graduates
Entry-level professionals
PERSONAS
Designing with empathy and crafting compelling personas
As I further explore the project, I have identified three unique users segments within the program. To understand each group comprehensively and improve their respective experiences, I have proactively interacted with them using various methods. Including interviews, intercepts, and observations, while maintaining a well-defined project objective.
DESIGN GOALS
Ziel is an AI-Interview Prep App that empowers users with tools and guidance for confident and successful job interviews. Utilizing a unique web interface, it offers personalized mock interviews based on users' desired positions, and personal infromation. Ziel ensures users are well-prepared for success in their interviews.
DEISGN OPPORTUNITIES
Identifying and creating strategic solutions
INITIAL IDEATION
Exploring ideas at a faster pace by sketching the flows
In the initial phases of the design journey, the central theme revolved around prioritizing user practice as the cornerstone. As I delved deeper into the insights gathered from research and interviews, a more nuanced understanding emerged, leading to the evolution of features seamlessly integrating practice and education. The conceptual shift was visually represented through intricate sketches, effectively setting the stage for the unfolding narrative of the design process.
DESIGN IDEATION
Conceptualization main features through prototyping
Continuing the design process, I plot my initial sketches into Figma. This step helps me to convey and evaluate the main design's structural framework. I understood how certain features highlight instances where their effectiveness is better as a combined action rather than individual functionality and contribute significantly to cultivating a more authentic interview experience, amplifying the overall impact of the design.
USER TESTING
Analyzing interface & usability through testing for enhanced optimization
Ah, the testing phase – my playground of perfection. Armed with plans and prototypes, I dive into user feedback, A/B testing, and device compatibility checks. The users become my guides, data my compass, and bugs my foes; with every challenge comes collaboration, and every insight is a stepping stone toward design greatness.
DASHBOARD
As I journey through the testing stage, the dashboard becomes a dynamic canvas of evolution. It's not just about numbers and metrics; it's a living, breathing reflection of our design's progress. With every test, every tweak, the dashboard transforms, revealing insights and guiding our path forward.
FEEDBACK REVIEW
While Ziel started as a rehearse app, during the user interviews, I discovered that the users were not only interested in practicing but also in how they could improve. Clear recording storage is essential for them to check them at any time while checking the feedback.
FILE SELECTION
During the practice interview, it is optional for the user to share the uploaded files with the AI coach rather than just an overview of the type of interview.
FINAL DESIGN
Get Interview-Ready with AI Insights
After establishing a stronger design framework, I incorporated the feedback gathered from all the testing sessions to begin crafting the final composition. I modify the color palette throughout the product to help communicate a more cohesive interface.
PRACTICE FEATURE
Practice Smarter, Succeed Faster!
The immersive experience is created through AI in addition to visual and auditory mechanisms. Users engage in rehearsing responses, honing body language, and refining their overall presentation, all within the controlled and constructive confines of the practice interview.
Furthermore, Ziel is committed to providing real-time feedback, ensuring users receive insights about their skills. By leveraging Ziel's innovative approach, users embark on a journey of continuous enhancement, arming themselves with the skills and confidence needed to excel in protective job interviews and make a lasting impression on potential employers.
LEARNING FEATURE
Unlock your Interview Potential
The educational resources are comprehensive articles strategically curated to impart knowledge through a multifaceted approach.
The articles are divided into beginning, intermedia, and advanced levels so users can pick based on their desired expertise. All resources are constantly stay up-to-date on the latest strategies sought by recruiters and companies, ensuring that users are well-equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to confidently navigate the competitive realm of job interviews.
FEEDBACK FEATURE
Feedback is the pathway to progress and perfection
The interviews are saved and serve as a comprehensive archive, allowing users to revisit and scrutinize their performance at any moment. However, what sets Ziel apart is its integration of AI-driven feedback, which acts as a virtual coach, offering a nuanced understanding of strengths and areas for improvement. In doing so, the review process turns into a dynamic and personalized learning journey, empowering users to iteratively refine their interviewing skills and maximize their potential for success in real-interview scenarios.
STYLE GUIDE & BRAND IDENTITY
Vibrant colors to enhance the interface
REFLECTION
Learnings & Way Forward
Constructing a platform that emulates real-world scenarios for effective job rehearsal presented many challenges. One of the critical facets of this endeavor has been the transparent presentation of the AI program's functionality, its inherent limitations, and the data it relies upon to operate. Within the scope of the Ziel project, I have taken deliberate steps to incorporate multimedia elements such as videos, images, and interactive exercises. This strategic integration serves a dual purpose: it not only elucidates the AI's functionalities but also bolsters user trust by providing a comprehensive and engaging experience.
Moving forward with Ziel, my primary area of focus centers on developing the mobile prototype. Research has indicated that a significant portion of our user base prefers utilizing their mobile devices for recording themselves. I aim to conduct more extensive testing, particularly concerning the design aspects, and seek to enhance the user experience.