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NOTE - Project is under Non-Disclosure Agreement as it is still under development.
Thus, I will be sharing more information over the design process, wireframes & some mockups as a visual aid.
Proof of Skill is a decentralised blockchain protocol & platform that optimises hiring by verifying candidates through establishing consensus between industry experts - reducing expenses & time-to-hire.
Some Metrics of Traditional Hiring**
Cost-Per-Hire = $4,129
Average time-to-fill vacancy = 42 days
** Source - Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
I was the only designer working on this project along with the CEO.
Translated the CEO's market research and problem identification into simplified user flows.
Led the entire user-centric design process where I owned both user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design for the project.
Conducted 4 rounds of Alpha testing & iterations.
How can we reduce the time and cost of traditional hiring for technical roles?
Designed Proof of Skill V1 single-handedly in just 3 weeks from end-to-end.
Successfully secured funding from Antler based on the designs created.
This project centered around the rapid development and validation of concept. We aimed to transform a promising idea into a digital product and swiftly gather user feedback to gauge its potential impact.
Here's why proof of skill is becoming essential:
Skills-Based Hiring: The focus is shifting from traditional qualifications to a candidate's ability to perform specific tasks. Proof of skill provides an objective measure of a candidate's proficiency, allowing employers to make data-driven hiring decisions.
Closing the Skills Gap: Many companies struggle to find candidates with the right skill sets. By presenting demonstrable skills, job seekers can stand out from the crowd and showcase their true value proposition.
Remote Work & Gig Economy: With the rise of remote work and the gig economy, location and traditional employment backgrounds become less relevant. Verifiable skills become the currency of value for both employers and job seekers.
Increased Transparency: Proof of skill fosters trust and transparency in the hiring process. It allows candidates to objectively showcase their abilities and employers to make informed decisions based on tangible evidence.
Resumes and cover letters have long been the cornerstones of the job application process.
However, in today's dynamic and competitive job market, simply listing past experiences and qualifications is no longer enough.
Employers are increasingly seeking concrete evidence of a candidate's skills to ensure they possess the abilities needed to excel in the role.
Leveraging blockchain technology not only streamlines the process but also opens doors for innovative features like self-sovereign skill certifications that could revolutionize the way job seekers present their qualifications and employers verify them. We researched :
Decentralized Ledger Technology (DLT)
Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI)
Credentialing Systems
While the long-term vision included a mobile app and integrations with other platforms, the design team concentrated on building a web-based platform for the MVP. This approach facilitated faster development and simpler maintenance in the initial stages.
To meet the one-month deadline for the VC pitch, the design team prioritized a straightforward UI for the MVP. Fancy animations and intricate navigation features were tabled for later iterations.
Challenge #1
Onboarding Experience for Test Takers
Proof-of-Skill promises verified data about the candidate that creates a comprehensive skill profile. We wanted the first sign-up to be a complete onboarding with a full profile as it streamlines hiring process.
To achieve that we need the following data points from the user :
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How do we ensure that all verified data is updated without a tedious onboarding?
1. Progressive Disclosure to avoid information overload.
2. Secure connections with verified third-party applications.
3. Progress bar to visualise milestones & motivate next steps.
12 Data Points - 5 Steps - 3 Minutes
We were able to gather all the user data in a 3 minute onboarding flow from start to finish.
Reflections
Proof of Work section caused significant delays & confusion so we made that optional for V1.
89% of candidates had positive feedback over integrated sign-ups with existing platforms.
Alternatives added at every step as fallbacks & to provide modified modes of task completion.
Challenge #2
Competency Comparison for Hiring Managers
How can we help hiring managers quickly compare candidates?
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On average, it takes hiring managers about 36 days to fill a technical position. This duration can extend to 44 days in some cases
Recruiters are currently facing challenges in gathering information from various sources or platforms.
Understanding the whole picture: Resumes, portfolios, and assessments can provide a lot of details, but figuring out a candidate's true skills and fit for the job requires piecing things together.
Comparing apples to oranges: These documents might have different formats and highlight different things, making it tough to compare candidates side-by-side.
Keeping it up-to-date: People update their kills all the time, but that might not show up in the resume as tangible activities.
Challenge #3
Finding the Right Assessment for Hiring Needs
How can we help hiring managers find the right assessment based on their needs?
A sea of options: There are numerous skill assessments available, each focusing on different areas and formats. Picking the wrong one wastes time for both the hiring manager and the candidate.
Skills vs. Assessment: Matching the assessment to the specific skills required for the job is crucial. Two software engineering jobs might have similar skills but need specific application.
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To solve this, we have added a JD analysis feature. Users can upload or paste the JD,
and AI will analyse the skills & requirements to match with the perfect assessment.
Reflections
Designing for Diverse Assessments: The MVP needed to accommodate various skill assessment formats (e.g., multiple-choice, coding challenges) while maintaining a user-friendly experience for both creators and takers.
Balancing Automation & Human Review: We explored the balance between automated scoring for basic assessments and the need for human review for more nuanced skill evaluation.
Visualizing Skill Mastery: Designing clear and informative visualizations of assessment results was crucial for both candidates showcasing their skills and employers understanding candidate proficiency.
Integration with Credentials: We investigated how the platform could integrate with existing and future credentialing systems on the blockchain, allowing seamless display of verified skills.