Gojo - Job Search on the GO
Gojo - Job Search on the GO
Job search on the go! My "stealth" SaaS start-up
My "stealth" SaaS start-up
Roles
Roles
Branding
Branding
Research
Research
Product Design
Product Design
Tools
Tools
Figma
Figma
Rotato
Rotato
Drive
Drive
Timeline
Timeline
On hold
On hold
Context
Context
I started this project as an eager and overly ambitious attempt to design my way into self-employment (and hopefully/eventually to the moon 🌕). I was feeling the pain of applying to job after job just to compete with dozens if not hundreds of experienced designers and understood that we were all in the same situation.
I started this project as an eager and overly ambitious attempt to design my way into self-employment (and hopefully/eventually to the moon 🌕). I was feeling the pain of applying to job after job just to compete with dozens if not hundreds of experienced designers and understood that we were all in the same situation.
ABOUT
ABOUT
Gojo aims to simplify and amplify the hiring/application process by using familiar swipe and match features to connect job seekers with recruiters and employers alike. By leveraging LLM, posting vacant positions and writing custom cover letters has never been easier.
Gojo aims to simplify and amplify the hiring/application process by using familiar swipe and match features to connect job seekers with recruiters and employers alike. By leveraging LLM, posting vacant positions and writing custom cover letters has never been easier.
Introduction
Introduction
Applying for jobs sucks. Trust me I know… I spent months trying to break into the UX space and only landed a couple of freelance jobs in the process. It takes a lot of work to pass an ATS. Even then, you're likely competing against hundreds of other applicants. Feeling this frustration, I took it upon myself to try and improve the hiring system by creating a direct pipeline to employers and recruiters. Thus Gojo was conceived!
Applying for jobs sucks. Trust me I know… I spent months trying to break into the UX space and only landed a couple of freelance jobs in the process. It takes a lot of work to pass an ATS. Even then, you're likely competing against hundreds of other applicants. Feeling this frustration, I took it upon myself to try and improve the hiring system by creating a direct pipeline to employers and recruiters. Thus Gojo was conceived!
I eagerly took to "formalizing" the idea by creating a pitch deck to guide the business plan/product design process. This deck allowed me to introduce the idea to potential partners, investors, mentors, and people of interest willing to help me further research and develop the idea.
I eagerly took to "formalizing" the idea by creating a pitch deck to guide the business plan/product design process. This deck allowed me to introduce the idea to potential partners, investors, mentors, and people of interest willing to help me further research and develop the idea.
Research
Research
[OVERVIEW]
[OVERVIEW]
Before investing considerable time and energy into the project, I wanted to make sure the idea had enough potential to succeed in the market. So I studied the talent acquisition and hiring market. I also leveraged my small LinkedIn network to take polls and connect with recruiters / hiring managers. Because the platform is two sided, I wanted to make sure that it would offer unique solutions to users on both sides of the experience.
Before investing considerable time and energy into the project, I wanted to make sure the idea had enough potential to succeed in the market. So I studied the talent acquisition and hiring market. I also leveraged my small LinkedIn network to take polls and connect with recruiters / hiring managers. Because the platform is two sided, I wanted to make sure that it would offer unique solutions to users on both sides of the experience.
Two Sided Problem
Two Sided Problem
[RESEARCH]
[RESEARCH]
Starting with the job seeker, it was important to identify their needs and pain points. I carried out dozens of conversations with friends, family, colleagues, and connections on LinkedIn about their experiences finding work. This lead to the creation of several UX personas intended to guide the jobseekers journey.
Starting with the job seeker, it was important to identify their needs and pain points. I carried out dozens of conversations with friends, family, colleagues, and connections on LinkedIn about their experiences finding work. This lead to the creation of several UX personas intended to guide the jobseekers journey.
Two Sided Problem
Two Sided Problem
[CONTINUED]
[RESEARCH]
On the other side, recruiters and hiring managers suffer their own unique challenges. The sheer number of candidates applying to any given job can range from dozens to thousands. Meeting with several recruiters and business owners helped me empathize with their situation and day to day tasks. None of whom had ever considered working on a mobile platform but found the concept intriguing.
On the other side, recruiters and hiring managers suffer their own unique challenges. The sheer number of candidates applying to any given job can range from dozens to thousands. Meeting with several recruiters and business owners helped me empathize with their situation and day to day tasks. None of whom had ever considered working on a mobile platform but found the concept intriguing.
One Solution
One Solution
[PRRODUCT]
[PRRODUCT]
Applying to jobs shouldn't feel like one. Thats why Gojo makes it easy to search, save, and apply. The same goes for hiring! Staffing shouldn't require more and more labor, so let Gojo do the labor for you.
Applying to jobs shouldn't feel like one. Thats why Gojo makes it easy to search, save, and apply. The same goes for hiring! Staffing shouldn't require more and more labor, so let Gojo do the labor for you.
Target Market
Target Market
[RESEARCH]
[RESEARCH]
Throughout my research I found a couple of interesting statistics. The first being that LinkedIn's audience is mostly young people. The second being that the majority of LinkedIn's activity takes place on mobile. These two bits of data helped narrow down the target market, making it easier to identify the needs of potential users.
Throughout my research I found a couple of interesting statistics. The first being that LinkedIn's audience is mostly young people. The second being that the majority of LinkedIn's activity takes place on mobile. These two bits of data helped narrow down the target market, making it easier to identify the needs of potential users.
Competitive Analysis
Competition
[RESEARCH]
[RESEARCH]
Established giants like LinkedIn focus on professional networking and connecting individuals with relevant opportunities. Indeed boasts a massive job board with a user-friendly interface, ideal for broad searches. ZipRecruiter leverages AI to personalize job suggestions and target specific candidates, appealing to both job seekers and employers seeking a good fit. Glassdoor differentiates itself with its focus on company reviews and salary information, empowering job seekers to make informed decisions.
Established giants like LinkedIn focus on professional networking and connecting individuals with relevant opportunities. Indeed boasts a massive job board with a user-friendly interface, ideal for broad searches. ZipRecruiter leverages AI to personalize job suggestions and target specific candidates, appealing to both job seekers and employers seeking a good fit. Glassdoor differentiates itself with its focus on company reviews and salary information, empowering job seekers to make informed decisions.
Understanding these strengths allows us to see the gaps. For instance, if a platform prioritizes quantity over quality of job postings, there might be an opportunity for a competitor to offer a curated selection with a focus on job satisfaction and fulfillment.
Gojo has to opportunity to be flexible, and cater to one or multiple niches.
Understanding these strengths allows us to see the gaps. For instance, if a platform prioritizes quantity over quality of job postings, there might be an opportunity for a competitor to offer a curated selection with a focus on job satisfaction and fulfillment.
Gojo has to opportunity to be flexible, and cater to one or multiple niches.
Unique Selling Proposition
USP
[PLANNING]
[PLANNING]
For job seekers, the largest obstacles were time, effort, and effectiveness. That's why I decided to move forward with a swipe function rather than scrolling through lists or cards. It simplifies the process without making it feel hopelessly endless. It also retains a users interest in the given opportunity because all of the UI is dedicated to a single post at a time.
For job seekers, the largest obstacles were time, effort, and effectiveness. That's why I decided to move forward with a swipe function rather than scrolling through lists or cards. It simplifies the process without making it feel hopelessly endless. It also retains a users interest in the given opportunity because all of the UI is dedicated to a single post at a time.
For recruiters and managers, there were three main pain points that Gojo aimed to resolve. The first being the need to write post after to post - i.e. LLM auto fill with editorial options. The second, sorting through endless resumes & portfolios - thus swipe through profiles that serve as both resume and portfolio. And lastly, the interview process itself can feel disjointed between platforms - so Gojo keeps the interview process in-house.
For recruiters and managers, there were three main pain points that Gojo aimed to resolve. The first being the need to write post after to post - i.e. LLM auto fill with editorial options. The second, sorting through endless resumes & portfolios - thus swipe through profiles that serve as both resume and portfolio. And lastly, the interview process itself can feel disjointed between platforms - so Gojo keeps the interview process in-house.
Revenue Streams
Revenue
[BUSINESS PLANNING]
[BUSINESS PLANNING]
Start-ups often struggle monetizing their software, so I wanted to create several avenues from which Gojo could use to satisfying a growth trajectory. These four main revenue streams allow the company to pivot should one or more fail to succeed.
Start-ups often struggle monetizing their software, so I wanted to create several avenues from which Gojo could use to satisfying a growth trajectory. These four main revenue streams allow the company to pivot should one or more fail to succeed.
User Acquisition
Find Users
[BUSINESS PLANNING]
[BUSINESS PLANNING]
I created a much more detailed user acquisition strategy during my Designer to Founder course with Steph Golik. I outline strategies for targeted ads, referral incentives, organic content, and data driven optimization.
I created a much more detailed user acquisition strategy during my Designer to Founder course with Steph Golik. I outline strategies for targeted ads, referral incentives, organic content, and data driven optimization.
Summary
Summary
[OVERVIEW]
[OVERVIEW]
While this start-up project taught me a lot about the demands of entrepreneurship, it also showed me the reason UX and Product Design processes exist. Being forced to make decision after decision shows you the importance of being well informed, and well organized.
While this start-up project taught me a lot about the demands of entrepreneurship, it also showed me the reason UX and Product Design processes exist. Being forced to make decision after decision shows you the importance of being well informed, and well organized.
Lessons
Lessons
[OVERVIEW]
[OVERVIEW]
From taking Steph Golik's; Designer to Founder course, to connecting with high stake investors, this solo start-up project had many real world lessons to bestow:
From taking Steph Golik's; Designer to Founder course, to connecting with high stake investors, this solo start-up project had many real world lessons to bestow:
The limitations of a single nontechnical founder. (There are a lot)
The limitations of a single nontechnical founder. (There are a lot)
The importance of research, collaboration, and decision making.
The importance of research, collaboration, and decision making.
That I should learn to code (so I'm taking courses on HTML, CSS, Javascript)
That I should learn to code (so I'm taking courses on HTML, CSS, Javascript)
How to wear multiple hats and prioritize certain roles over others.
How to wear multiple hats and prioritize certain roles over others.
That bad branding is really easy to create.
That bad branding is really easy to create.