Turning LinkedIn Easy Apply from a one-click submission into a guided application management system.
A UX redesign that helps new grads evaluate job fit faster, choose the right resume, and keep application momentum.
The final design turns a fragmented job search process into a guided system: save jobs, choose resumes, apply, and track progress in one place.
Role
UX Designer
Scope
AI-assisted workflow redesign
Timeline
2026
Focus
Job search, decision support, resume management
01
Context: why this is matter
LinkedIn helps users discover thousands of job opportunities, but early-career applicants often struggle after they open a job detail page. They need to judge whether the role fits, decide which resume to use, and act before their motivation fades.
This redesign focuses on that overlooked moment: the gap between finding a job and actually applying.
02
Core Problem
Job applications are fast, but not always manageable. And the real problem isn’t finding jobs. It’s losing momentum after finding one.
03
Design Challenge
Instead of only reducing the number of clicks, I focused on reducing uncertainty across the job application journey.
How might we help job seekers apply faster while feeling more organized, confident, and in control?
04
Research
To understand the application workflow, I looked at how early-career job seekers manage multiple roles, resume versions, and application statuses during an active job search.
Emotional Journey
Frustration increases ↑
Positive
Neutral
Frustrated
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Confusion
🤨
Overwhelmed
😫
Peak Frustration
Uncertained
😕
Looking for job
🙂
Loss Passion
😩
想法三
😵💫
Hopeful
Confused
Frustrated
Understanding how job seekers actually apply
Step 1
Open LinkedIn
Start searching for jobs
🙂
Feed overload
Step 2
Browse Jobs
Scroll through recommended listings
😐
Some irrelevant jobs
Step 3
Read Description
Review job details and requirements
🙂
I’m not sure if I’m qualified
Step 4
Ready to apply
Decide whether to apply
🤔
Which resume should I use?
Step 8
Track Status
Trying to find application status
😫
I wish have a button take me go
Step 7
Redirected to external site
Redirected to outside website
😤
Why do I have to enter everything again?
Step 6
Edit resume externally
Disrupt the job flow
😰
I have to leave LinkedIn to edit this
Step 5
Upload Resume
Upload resume without preview
😕
I don’t know which is the right version.
05
Insights
The research focused on three questions:
How do users organize jobs they are interested in?
How do they choose which resume to submit?
How do they track applications after submitting?
Applicants lack clarity on fit and next steps.
of users are unsure how well they fit a role before applying.
“I usually open the job, scan a bit, and still have no idea if I'm a good match.
Resume handling is frictional and scattered.
Top resume pain points
“I have 3 versions of my resume and never know which one to attach.
Tracking applications across LinkedIn is hard.
of users lose track of applications or status.
“I forget where I applied and what the status is. I need one place to see everything.
06
Primary User
The primary user is someone actively searching for jobs and managing many applications at once.
They may be applying to roles across slightly different categories, such as UX Designer, Product Designer, UI Designer, or Visual Designer. Because of this, they often need different resume versions for different jobs.
07
Redesigned Flow
The redesigned flow connects the full job application journey. This structure helps users move from discovery to action without losing context.
08
Design Decisions
My decision for using LinkedIn Blue was to ensure staying close to what LinkedIn is providing to users currently.
09
Ideas to Wireframes
Initially, we held brainstorming sessions and came up with the organizational aspect of the platform using rough sketches.
10
Final Solution
Feature 1
Saved Jobs as an Application Workspace
In the redesigned Saved Jobs experience, saved roles are no longer just stored links. Each card gives users more context and clearer next steps.
Users can see whether a role is saved, in progress, applied, or waiting for follow-up. They can also access resume selection and application actions directly from the saved job list.
Key Improvements
Clear application status
Resume-related action
Easy access to apply
Better organization across multiple roles
Less need to jump between pages
Feature 02
Resume Hub
The Resume Hub helps users manage different resumes for different job types. Instead of searching through desktop folders or re-uploading files repeatedly, users can keep their application materials inside LinkedIn.
Users can organize resumes by role type, see recently used versions, and choose the most relevant resume during Easy Apply.
Feature 03
Guided Easy Apply
he redesigned Easy Apply flow adds a moment of confirmation before submitting. Users can preview the selected resume, switch versions, and confirm their application materials.
This keeps the speed of Easy Apply while adding more confidence and control.
Feature 04
Track Progress
After submitting an application, the job automatically moves into Track Progress. Users can see application status, review what they submitted, and understand what actions may come next.
The tracker helps users manage applications without relying on memory, spreadsheets, or scattered notes.
11
Design System
Since this is a redesign of an existing platform, I kept the visual system close to LinkedIn’s familiar interface patterns. The goal was not to create a completely new brand language, but to make the experience feel like a natural extension of LinkedIn.
12
Reflection & Takesways
This project helped me understand that improving a workflow is not only about reducing steps. It is also about reducing uncertainty. For job seekers, the most stressful moments often happen between actions: deciding which resume to use, remembering what was submitted, and waiting without feedback.
By redesigning Easy Apply as a connected system, I focused on making each step more visible, recoverable, and confidence-building.
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