APPLICATION DASHBOARD
APPLICATION DASHBOARD
Circle | Product Lead & Designer
My contributions: End-to-end UX — research, flow design, UI, prototyping, usability testing
Introduction
Circle is building the most streamlined hiring platform for underserved, blue-collar workers. After tackling the friction of long, repetitive applications with One Click Apply, the next challenge was clear—what happens after a candidate applies?
Managing updates, recruiter follow-ups, and next steps often creates confusion and delays. Circle set out to solve this by designing a transparent, AI-driven application journey that keeps job seekers informed and recruiters efficient—every step of the way.
PROBLEM
PROBLEM
Today’s hiring apps often break the candidate journey right after “Apply.” Everything after that happens through external channels (email, phone, recruiter portals)—which leads to:
Missed recruiter emails, or emails landing in spam
Delays or poor response for candidates
Fragmented experience; candidates lose track of what’s next
Recruiters chasing candidates for repetitive follow-ups
In short: the candidate “applied,” but then it’s chaos.
Today’s hiring apps often break the candidate journey right after “Apply.” Everything after that happens through external channels (email, phone, recruiter portals)—which leads to:
Missed recruiter emails, or emails landing in spam
Delays or poor response for candidates
Fragmented experience; candidates lose track of what’s next
Recruiters chasing candidates for repetitive follow-ups
In short: the candidate “applied,” but then it’s chaos.
PROBLEM
Today’s hiring apps often break the candidate journey right after “Apply.” Everything after that happens through external channels (email, phone, recruiter portals)—which leads to:
Missed recruiter emails, or emails landing in spam
Delays or poor response for candidates
Fragmented experience; candidates lose track of what’s next
Recruiters chasing candidates for repetitive follow-ups
In short: the candidate “applied,” but then it’s chaos.
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
We built an AI-powered Application Dashboard that keeps the entire post-apply journey inside the app.
A centralized dashboard tracks progress from Applied → Reviewed → Interview → Offer
An AI agent intercepts recruiter emails, auto-responds to repetitive questions, and escalates only when human input is required
Smart notifications alert candidates only when action is needed
A single final email is sent when the job offer is confirmed — until then, everything happens in-app
This transformed a fragmented, multi-channel process into one seamless, end-to-end candidate journey.
We built an AI-powered Application Dashboard that keeps the entire post-apply journey inside the app.
A centralized dashboard tracks progress from Applied → Reviewed → Interview → Offer
An AI agent intercepts recruiter emails, auto-responds to repetitive questions, and escalates only when human input is required
Smart notifications alert candidates only when action is needed
A single final email is sent when the job offer is confirmed — until then, everything happens in-app
This transformed a fragmented, multi-channel process into one seamless, end-to-end candidate journey.
SOLUTION
We built an AI-powered Application Dashboard that keeps the entire post-apply journey inside the app.
A centralized dashboard tracks progress from Applied → Reviewed → Interview → Offer
An AI agent intercepts recruiter emails, auto-responds to repetitive questions, and escalates only when human input is required
Smart notifications alert candidates only when action is needed
A single final email is sent when the job offer is confirmed — until then, everything happens in-app
This transformed a fragmented, multi-channel process into one seamless, end-to-end candidate journey.
Feature Overview
RESEARCH & INSIGHTS
RESEARCH & INSIGHTS
We discovered that most hiring platforms stop supporting candidates after the “apply” step, leaving the rest of the journey fragmented across emails, phone calls, and portals. Through interviews and surveys, we learned that candidates often miss recruiter follow-ups, lose track of applications, and feel disconnected from the process. Recruiters, on the other hand, waste time repeating the same questions. This revealed a critical gap: the post-application journey lacked visibility and control.
We discovered that most hiring platforms stop supporting candidates after the “apply” step, leaving the rest of the journey fragmented across emails, phone calls, and portals. Through interviews and surveys, we learned that candidates often miss recruiter follow-ups, lose track of applications, and feel disconnected from the process. Recruiters, on the other hand, waste time repeating the same questions. This revealed a critical gap: the post-application journey lacked visibility and control.
IDEATION
IDEATION
To address these gaps, we explored ideas that would keep the candidate experience entirely within the app. Brainstorming and sketching sessions led us to concepts like a centralized application dashboard, AI-driven auto-responses to repetitive recruiter queries, a progress tracker, and action-only notifications. We prioritized features based on feasibility and impact, ensuring that the most painful parts of the journey were solved first.
To address these gaps, we explored ideas that would keep the candidate experience entirely within the app. Brainstorming and sketching sessions led us to concepts like a centralized application dashboard, AI-driven auto-responses to repetitive recruiter queries, a progress tracker, and action-only notifications. We prioritized features based on feasibility and impact, ensuring that the most painful parts of the journey were solved first.
DESIGN
DESIGN
We translated these ideas into flows and interfaces that emphasized clarity, control, and transparency. The dashboard became the anchor for each candidate’s journey, with a threaded recruiter conversation, status updates, and clear escalation when AI required human input. High-fidelity prototypes showcased key moments—from recruiter auto-responses to offer acceptance—designed with simple interactions and trust-building feedback.
We translated these ideas into flows and interfaces that emphasized clarity, control, and transparency. The dashboard became the anchor for each candidate’s journey, with a threaded recruiter conversation, status updates, and clear escalation when AI required human input. High-fidelity prototypes showcased key moments—from recruiter auto-responses to offer acceptance—designed with simple interactions and trust-building feedback.
END RESULT
END RESULT
The final solution delivered an end-to-end candidate journey inside the app, supported by AI. Candidates could track every stage, recruiters gained faster responses. Early tests projected a reduction in missed communications, higher engagement, and faster offer cycles. Most importantly, the dashboard restored visibility and control to candidates, turning a once fragmented process into a seamless experience.
The final solution delivered an end-to-end candidate journey inside the app, supported by AI. Candidates could track every stage, recruiters gained faster responses. Early tests projected a reduction in missed communications, higher engagement, and faster offer cycles. Most importantly, the dashboard restored visibility and control to candidates, turning a once fragmented process into a seamless experience.
RESEARCH & INSIGHTS
RESEARCH & INSIGHTS
8/12
8/12
candidates forgot which companies they applied to within days
6/12
6/12
missed recruiter follow-up emails
(4 due to spam folders)
Recruiters often repeated the same questions (“Are you available Monday?”, “Upload your documents”)
Candidates had no visibility into their application status
User Persona
Joe
24, Server
Joe
24, Server
Frustrations
After applying, I get lost with no idea about my application status, and I keep getting repeated calls while I’m on shift
Goal
Secure a reliable job quickly, keep track of multiple applications
Tech Comfort
Comfortable with smartphone apps, not email-focused
I rarely check email on my phone
I rarely check email on my phone
After you apply, the journey becomes invisible and fragmented.
After you apply, the journey becomes invisible and fragmented.
RESEARCH & INSIGHTS
8/12
candidates forgot which companies they applied to within days
6/12
missed recruiter follow-up emails
(4 due to spam folders)
Recruiters often repeated the same questions (“Are you available Monday?”, “Upload your documents”)
Candidates had no visibility into their application status
User Persona
Joe
24, Server
Frustrations
After applying, I get lost with no idea about my application status, and I keep getting repeated calls while I’m on shift
Goal
Secure a reliable job quickly, keep track of multiple applications
Tech Comfort
Comfortable with smartphone apps, not email-focused
I rarely check email on my phone
After you apply, the journey becomes invisible and fragmented.
IDEATION
IDEATION
IDEATION
Brainstorming & Crazy 8s
Central dashboard inside the app for all post-apply activity
AI agent that intercepts recruiter emails and auto-responds when possible
Smart notification system (only notify when action required)
Timeline + progress tracker (Applied → Reviewed → Action required → Interview → Offer)
Human fallback: if AI can’t handle, notify candidate
Feature Prioritization - MoSCoW method
Must have: status tracker, message thread, AI auto-response
Should have: scheduling integration, document upload
Could have: video interview embedded, timeline animations
Won’t have (yet): recruiter-facing portal
DESIGN
DESIGN
DESIGN
Transparent Application Tracking
Transparent Application Tracking
Applications are simple to follow—users can check their current status and upcoming steps in just a few taps. This creates a clear, transparent experience where nothing is missed, and every stage of the hiring journey is visible in one place.
Applications are simple to follow—users can check their current status and upcoming steps in just a few taps. This creates a clear, transparent experience where nothing is missed, and every stage of the hiring journey is visible in one place.
Smart Action Handling
Smart Action Handling
When a job requires human input, the system highlights it with an “Action Required” status. If the step can be completed directly within the app, users finish it seamlessly. For external steps, the AI redirects them to the right platform, captures the progress, and stores it—ensuring no task is ever lost or repeated.
When a job requires human input, the system highlights it with an “Action Required” status. If the step can be completed directly within the app, users finish it seamlessly. For external steps, the AI redirects them to the right platform, captures the progress, and stores it—ensuring no task is ever lost or repeated.
Guided External Steps
Guided External Steps
When an application step requires leaving the app—such as a video interview, assessment, or accepting a job offer—the AI provides clear instructions on what to do next. It outlines the required action, redirects to the correct platform, and records the completion. This way, users know exactly what’s expected, avoid confusion, and maintain a complete record of their progress within the app.
When an application step requires leaving the app—such as a video interview, assessment, or accepting a job offer—the AI provides clear instructions on what to do next. It outlines the required action, redirects to the correct platform, and records the completion. This way, users know exactly what’s expected, avoid confusion, and maintain a complete record of their progress within the app.
END RESULT
END RESULT
END RESULT
Candidate lost applications
Candidate lost applications
~40%
Before
~5%
After
Average recruiter reply time
Average recruiter reply time
+24 hr
Before
~5 hr
After
Offer completion rate
Offer completion rate
45%
Before
80%
After
REFLECTION
REFLECTION
This project pushed me to think beyond the “apply” button. It’s about owning the entire candidate journey, and elevating it with AI—not to replace human touch, but to eliminate friction.
Research showed candidates often lose visibility post-application, creating stress and confusion.
Persona work reminded me that many users apply quickly, often on breaks, with little time to track emails.
Ideation shifted the dashboard into a home base for the full journey, not just a tracker.
Usability testing emphasized trust: users preferred clear labels when AI acted on their behalf.
Small design cues (“AI responded on your behalf”) built confidence and reduced friction.
The project highlighted the balance between automation and transparency.
Key learning: good UX in hiring is about restoring visibility and dignity, not just speed.
This project pushed me to think beyond the “apply” button. It’s about owning the entire candidate journey, and elevating it with AI—not to replace human touch, but to eliminate friction.
Research showed candidates often lose visibility post-application, creating stress and confusion.
Persona work reminded me that many users apply quickly, often on breaks, with little time to track emails.
Ideation shifted the dashboard into a home base for the full journey, not just a tracker.
Usability testing emphasized trust: users preferred clear labels when AI acted on their behalf.
Small design cues (“AI responded on your behalf”) built confidence and reduced friction.
The project highlighted the balance between automation and transparency.
Key learning: good UX in hiring is about restoring visibility and dignity, not just speed.
REFLECTION
This project pushed me to think beyond the “apply” button. It’s about owning the entire candidate journey, and elevating it with AI—not to replace human touch, but to eliminate friction.
Research showed candidates often lose visibility post-application, creating stress and confusion.
Persona work reminded me that many users apply quickly, often on breaks, with little time to track emails.
Ideation shifted the dashboard into a home base for the full journey, not just a tracker.
Usability testing emphasized trust: users preferred clear labels when AI acted on their behalf.
Small design cues (“AI responded on your behalf”) built confidence and reduced friction.
The project highlighted the balance between automation and transparency.
Key learning: good UX in hiring is about restoring visibility and dignity, not just speed.