Chegg CareerMatch UX/UI
When textbook rental giant and student advocate, Chegg, decided to venture into the job placement market, they contracted with me to design the user experience and interface for a website which would connect employers with students that were uniquely qualified for positions. I designed both the employer experience and student experience on desktop and mobile.
My Role
Strategy
UX Research
UI/UX Design
UX Management
Timeline
18 Months
Chegg Pathways Mobile App
Ian’s been an amazing partner – from product ideation, to brand marketing, to visual design, to user experience research, to interactive design. Highly focused and committed to our success, Ian has been the most important partner I’ve worked with in product development.
Vikram SubramaniamThe Opportunity
In recognizing its role as a trusted brand for students and recent graduates, Chegg identified a unique opportunity to extend its support beyond academics. Armed with specific knowledge about students’ studies and proficiencies, Chegg envisioned a significant role in helping customers navigate their post-graduation career paths successfully.
Employer experience
This was a two-sided marketplace—students and employers. The student site offered tools for career exploration, goal setting, job applications, and employer insights. The employer site focused on job management, candidate selection, and provided data for setting competitive salaries and benefits.
The Process
To bring this vision to life, we conducted market research, student interviews, and gathered expert insights. Collaborating closely with Product Managers, we explored testing options using user personas and journey maps. The design evolved through iterative testing and refinement to ensure it met Chegg’s vision.
Research
- User Demographics
- Define User Goals
- Stakeholder Interviews
- Customer Interviews
Empathize
- User Personas
- User Scenarios
- User Testing
- Journey Map
Create
- Flows
- Wireframes
- Visual Design
- Prototype
Test
- Usability
- Track usage
- Design Refinements
Mapping Opportunities
A key focus of the project was adding a map feature for students to view job locations. Through rapid design iterations during user testing, I developed a solution inspired by platforms like Yelp and Uber, where job listings slide down to reveal the map.
Prototyping & Testing
WordPress, Magento, WooCommerce, and PayPal all have their own design languages, patterns, and unique limitations. Learning the details and nuances of each platform was critical in order to design a single interface that could be deployed within each environment.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
I worked closely with Chegg’s engineering team and data scientists to ensure the product features were fully supported by available data. Together, we brainstormed data presentation methods that aligned seamlessly with the data.
The Solution
My design solution was a web application that not only bridged the gap between students and employers but also empowered individuals in their career pursuits. The website was designed to create a seamless bridge between students and employers in the professional realm.
Sadly, the company’s focus and priorities changed during the development phase, and the project was put on indefinite hold. While the product never saw the light of day, I’m very proud of the work that I produced, the problems we solved, and the relationships fostered throughout the course of the project.
One of the things I like most about Ian is his ability to iterate quickly. Unlike some designers, he doesn’t get too attached to one approach, but rather is able to step back, explore alternate options when needed, and integrate feedback quickly.
Elena Kohl
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