ONE CLICK APPLY
ONE CLICK APPLY
Circle | Product Lead & Designer
My contributions: End-to-end UX — research, flow design, UI, prototyping, usability testing
Introduction
Job seekers often struggle with long, repetitive application processes, while recruiters juggle fragmented tools for sourcing, interviewing, and hiring. The result is delays, drop-offs, and missed opportunities on both sides.
Circle set out to solve this by creating an AI-driven recruitment platform—one streamlined space where candidates build smart profiles, discover AI-recommended roles, and apply with ease, while employers instantly find the right talent, schedule interviews, and manage the hiring journey end-to-end.
PROBLEM
PROBLEM
Blue-collar job applications are long, repetitive, and time-consuming. Many candidates are less tech-savvy, making traditional application processes frustrating and difficult to complete. This leads to high drop-off rates mid-application, reducing their chances of getting hired and leaving employers with unfilled positions.
Blue-collar job applications are long, repetitive, and time-consuming. Many candidates are less tech-savvy, making traditional application processes frustrating and difficult to complete. This leads to high drop-off rates mid-application, reducing their chances of getting hired and leaving employers with unfilled positions.
Time required
~10 min
~10 min
PROBLEM
Blue-collar job applications are long, repetitive, and time-consuming. Many candidates are less tech-savvy, making traditional application processes frustrating and difficult to complete. This leads to high drop-off rates mid-application, reducing their chances of getting hired and leaving employers with unfilled positions.
Time required
~10 min
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
To simplify the application process, the app stores all answers in a single persistent profile, eliminating the need to repeatedly fill forms. Conditional modules ensure that additional questions are only asked when necessary, reducing friction. AI-powered autofill automatically completes forms across multiple employers, while a swipe-based interaction allows candidates to apply to jobs in seconds using gestures familiar from popular apps.
To simplify the application process, the app stores all answers in a single persistent profile, eliminating the need to repeatedly fill forms. Conditional modules ensure that additional questions are only asked when necessary, reducing friction. AI-powered autofill automatically completes forms across multiple employers, while a swipe-based interaction allows candidates to apply to jobs in seconds using gestures familiar from popular apps.
Time required after Circle
~10 sec
~10 sec
SOLUTION
To simplify the application process, the app stores all answers in a single persistent profile, eliminating the need to repeatedly fill forms. Conditional modules ensure that additional questions are only asked when necessary, reducing friction. AI-powered autofill automatically completes forms across multiple employers, while a swipe-based interaction allows candidates to apply to jobs in seconds using gestures familiar from popular apps.
Time required after Circle
~10 sec
Feature Overview
RESEARCH & INSIGHTS
RESEARCH & INSIGHTS
To understand the existing landscape, major U.S. job application platforms such as Workstream, Paradox.ai, AllyO, Workday & McHire were studied. Across these platforms, a consistent application flow emerged. Analyzing these steps revealed a recurring issue — repetitive questions and a slow, time-heavy process, which often caused frustration and high drop-off rates among blue-collar workers who needed a faster, simpler experience.
To understand the existing landscape, major U.S. job application platforms such as Workstream, Paradox.ai, AllyO, Workday & McHire were studied. Across these platforms, a consistent application flow emerged. Analyzing these steps revealed a recurring issue — repetitive questions and a slow, time-heavy process, which often caused frustration and high drop-off rates among blue-collar workers who needed a faster, simpler experience.
IDEATION
IDEATION
During ideation, the focus was on simplifying the application flow while keeping it engaging. Concepts included consolidating profile creation, compliance details (gender, veteran status, disability) were securely stored and reused across applications. To reduce redundancy, WOTC and character assessments were integrated only when required, rather than every time.
During ideation, the focus was on simplifying the application flow while keeping it engaging. Concepts included consolidating profile creation, compliance details (gender, veteran status, disability) were securely stored and reused across applications. To reduce redundancy, WOTC and character assessments were integrated only when required, rather than every time.
DESIGN
DESIGN
The design integrated an AI agent to intelligently autofill application fields, reducing repetitive input and prompting users only when necessary. A right-swipe gesture, enhanced with subtle micro-animations, allowed users to apply instantly while receiving immediate visual feedback. This approach created a fast, intuitive, and engaging application experience, significantly reducing friction and improving overall user satisfaction.
The design integrated an AI agent to intelligently autofill application fields, reducing repetitive input and prompting users only when necessary. A right-swipe gesture, enhanced with subtle micro-animations, allowed users to apply instantly while receiving immediate visual feedback. This approach created a fast, intuitive, and engaging application experience, significantly reducing friction and improving overall user satisfaction.
END RESULT
END RESULT
Launched in August 2025, this feature quickly gained traction as users embraced the streamlined application flow, applying to 20–25 jobs per session and, in some cases, up to 100 jobs per day. Within the first few months, this approach facilitated over 50 confirmed job offers, highlighting both high engagement and measurable impact.
Launched in August 2025, this feature quickly gained traction as users embraced the streamlined application flow, applying to 20–25 jobs per session and, in some cases, up to 100 jobs per day. Within the first few months, this approach facilitated over 50 confirmed job offers, highlighting both high engagement and measurable impact.
RESEARCH & INSIGHTS
RESEARCH & INSIGHTS
60%
candidates abandon applications if the process is too rigid or time-consuming
candidates abandon applications if the process is too rigid or time-consuming
11%
complete the application process on an average in USA
complete the application process on an average in USA
40%
applicants abandon applications that are not mobile-friendly
applicants abandon applications that are not mobile-friendly
User Persona
Maria
38, Chef
Maria
38, Chef
Frustrations
Long forms eat into rest time; struggles with filling repetitive data on phone.
Goal
Secure higher-paying shifts, avoid paperwork, apply during breaks.
Tech Comfort
Moderate – uses smartphone daily but prefers simple, fast apps.
Speed matters, I’m always on my feet
Speed matters, I’m always on my feet
John
27, Dishwasher
I don’t do forms.
Alex
45, Manager
Quick steps!
Tyler
32, Host
Breaks just for lunch
RESEARCH & INSIGHTS
60%
candidates abandon applications if the process is too rigid or time-consuming
11%
complete the application process on an average in USA
40%
applicants abandon applications that are not mobile-friendly
User Persona
Maria
38, Chef
Frustrations
Long forms eat into rest time; struggles with filling repetitive data on phone.
Goal
Secure higher-paying shifts, avoid paperwork, apply during breaks.
Tech Comfort
Moderate – uses smartphone daily but prefers simple, fast apps.
Speed matters, I’m always on my feet
John
27, Dishwasher
I don’t do forms.
Alex
45, Manager
Quick steps!
Tyler
32, Host
Breaks just for lunch
IDEATION
IDEATION
IDEATION
DESIGN
DESIGN
DESIGN
Guided Choice Interaction
Guided Choice Interaction
The application flow is designed so users never feel overwhelmed by too many tasks at once. Instead of filling lengthy forms, candidates make simple, step-by-step selections from clear lists. This guided approach reduces cognitive load, making the process feel quick, familiar, and effortless.
The application flow is designed so users never feel overwhelmed by too many tasks at once. Instead of filling lengthy forms, candidates make simple, step-by-step selections from clear lists. This guided approach reduces cognitive load, making the process feel quick, familiar, and effortless.
Unified Profile Creation
Unified Profile Creation
The profile setup is simplified to capture all essential information required across major hiring platforms. By standardizing and consolidating details into a single flow, it ensures there are no gaps or errors, giving candidates a complete and ready-to-use profile for any application.
The profile setup is simplified to capture all essential information required across major hiring platforms. By standardizing and consolidating details into a single flow, it ensures there are no gaps or errors, giving candidates a complete and ready-to-use profile for any application.
Swipe to Apply
Swipe to Apply
Applying to jobs becomes as effortless as swiping. This interaction makes the process intuitive, quick, and engaging, transforming job applications from a tedious form-filling task into a more interactive and gamified experience.
Applying to jobs becomes as effortless as swiping. This interaction makes the process intuitive, quick, and engaging, transforming job applications from a tedious form-filling task into a more interactive and gamified experience.
END RESULT
END RESULT
END RESULT
Average Job applications (Per session)
20-25
Average jobs applied per day
~100
Job offers recieved (in one month)
50+
Time reduced to apply
~10 sec
REFLECTION
REFLECTION
Building the One Click Apply feature at Circle pushed me to balance simplicity with the complexity of real hiring systems.
I learned how much repetition and friction existed in application platforms like Workday, McHire, and Aramark—painful enough to push workers to abandon job searches altogether.
Benchmarking consumer apps like Tinder for the swipe-to-apply mechanic showed the value of borrowing proven interaction patterns from outside the hiring space.
As a product lead, I had to manage not just the design but also the business impact—ensuring that a solution for users also drove more applications for employers.
The biggest challenge was designing for low-tech comfort workers who apply during short breaks or on shared devices. This meant prioritizing speed, clarity, and automation above all else.
The success of this feature—measured by higher daily applications and confirmed job offers—validated the approach of combining AI + intuitive design for underserved audiences.
Looking back, this project showed me that small shifts in user experience (like removing a 15-minute form) can unlock massive outcomes for both candidates and employers. It also laid the foundation for Circle’s next product leap: the AI Application Dashboard.
Building the One Click Apply feature at Circle pushed me to balance simplicity with the complexity of real hiring systems.
I learned how much repetition and friction existed in application platforms like Workday, McHire, and Aramark—painful enough to push workers to abandon job searches altogether.
Benchmarking consumer apps like Tinder for the swipe-to-apply mechanic showed the value of borrowing proven interaction patterns from outside the hiring space.
As a product lead, I had to manage not just the design but also the business impact—ensuring that a solution for users also drove more applications for employers.
The biggest challenge was designing for low-tech comfort workers who apply during short breaks or on shared devices. This meant prioritizing speed, clarity, and automation above all else.
The success of this feature—measured by higher daily applications and confirmed job offers—validated the approach of combining AI + intuitive design for underserved audiences.
Looking back, this project showed me that small shifts in user experience (like removing a 15-minute form) can unlock massive outcomes for both candidates and employers. It also laid the foundation for Circle’s next product leap: the AI Application Dashboard.
REFLECTION
Building the One Click Apply feature at Circle pushed me to balance simplicity with the complexity of real hiring systems.
I learned how much repetition and friction existed in application platforms like Workday, McHire, and Aramark—painful enough to push workers to abandon job searches altogether.
Benchmarking consumer apps like Tinder for the swipe-to-apply mechanic showed the value of borrowing proven interaction patterns from outside the hiring space.
As a product lead, I had to manage not just the design but also the business impact—ensuring that a solution for users also drove more applications for employers.
The biggest challenge was designing for low-tech comfort workers who apply during short breaks or on shared devices. This meant prioritizing speed, clarity, and automation above all else.
The success of this feature—measured by higher daily applications and confirmed job offers—validated the approach of combining AI + intuitive design for underserved audiences.
Looking back, this project showed me that small shifts in user experience (like removing a 15-minute form) can unlock massive outcomes for both candidates and employers. It also laid the foundation for Circle’s next product leap: the AI Application Dashboard.