Kelly Ramos - Portfolio

A job-finding app to empower vulnerable communities

timeline

2022 — 2-day hackathon

Team

1 Designer

1 Writer

2 Researchers

ABOUT

Introduction

This project was developed during my participation in the Reprograma Program, a course for girls to be introduced to tech. I collaborated with 3 other teammates that were responsible for documenting the project, writing our study and conducting paper research and distributing the surveys.

my role

UI/UX Designer & Visual Designer

I developed the UI for this app independently. I also created the logo and visual identity for this app.

Problem

Job platforms fail to provide a safe, transparent, and inclusive environment for underrepresented job seekers

Despite advances in hiring technology, discrimination in the workplace remains widespread. Many job seekers from underrepresented groups report facing systemic barriers during recruitment processes.

According to a McKinsey & Company report (2022), for every 100 men promoted from entry-level to manager, only 87 women were promoted, and just 82 women of color.
A 2017 study in Canada found that fictitious job applicants with Chinese, Indian, or Pakistani-sounding names received 28% fewer callbacks than equally qualified applicants with white-sounding names

Despite advances in hiring technology, discrimination in the workplace remains widespread. Many job seekers from underrepresented groups report facing systemic barriers during recruitment processes.

According to a McKinsey & Company report (2022), for every 100 men promoted from entry-level to manager, only 87 women were promoted, and just 82 women of color.
A 2017 study in Canada found that fictitious job applicants with Chinese, Indian, or Pakistani-sounding names received 28% fewer callbacks than equally qualified applicants with white-sounding names

HOW MIGHT WE

How might we design a job search platform that empowers underrepresented candidates by making inclusivity, transparency, and safety central to the hiring experience?

SOLUTION

A job search app that promotes inclusive hiring

Understanding the problem

What do users value more when looking for a new job?

To understand how job seekers interact with existing platforms, we conducted a short survey. We got 40 responses that revealed both frustrations and opportunities for improvement.

Key Findings

Lack of trust and transparency: users feel existing platforms prioritize quantity over quality.

Exclusion through complexity: several participants emphasized that complicated interfaces can be barriers for people with lower digital literacy or incomplete formal education. Users want something simple, clear, and accessible.

Desire for belonging and support: beyond job postings, users expressed a need for community and guidance. They want interview tips, networking opportunities, and a space to feel supported by others going through the same challenges.

Key Findings

Lack of trust and transparency: users feel existing platforms prioritize quantity over quality.

Secondary Research (White Paper)

Accessibility gap: According to the World Bank (2021), over 1 billion people worldwide live with a disability, yet most hiring platforms are not designed with accessibility in mind.

Trust gap: Research by Indeed (2020) shows that 67% of job seekers value company transparency about culture and inclusivity, yet few platforms highlight this information.

Digital literacy gap: A UNESCO report (2022) emphasizes that platforms must adapt to users with varying digital literacy levels, or they risk excluding vulnerable populations.

Accessibility gap: According to the World Bank (2021), over 1 billion people worldwide live with a disability, yet most hiring platforms are not designed with accessibility in mind.

Trust gap: Research by Indeed (2020) shows that 67% of job seekers value company transparency about culture and inclusivity, yet few platforms highlight this information.

Digital literacy gap: A UNESCO report (2022) emphasizes that platforms must adapt to users with varying digital literacy levels, or they risk excluding vulnerable populations.

COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS + THE GAP

None of the leading platforms explicitly center inclusion, equity, and safety in the job search process.

I analyzed existing job platforms, focusing on LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor.

Designs

Visual Identity

Designs

Wireframes + Drawbacks

Privacy and vulnerable communities

In the initial wireframes, users were required to sign in before accessing most of the app’s features. While this approach would have streamlined data collection and personalization, it posed two significant drawbacks for the specific communities:

Barrier to Access
Many participants mentioned frustration with platforms (like LinkedIn) that require registration just to view opportunities. For vulnerable job seekers, including those with lower digital literacy or limited trust in digital platforms, this can create unnecessary friction and discourage engagement.

Privacy and Safety Concerns
For underrepresented groups who often face bias, discrimination, or harassment, being forced to create an account upfront raises concerns about how their data will be used. Trust must be earned before users feel safe enough to share personal details such as identity markers, disability status, or work history.

No need to sign in

This new approach allows job seekers to browse listings and explore company values before creating an account, and then gradually prompt sign-in only when deeper personalization (like saving jobs or building a profile) becomes valuable to them.

Anonymous Posting Option

Users can ask questions or share experiences without attaching their name or profile picture.