Onward
AI Powered Interview
Coach for Immigrant Nurses
Onwards is a web application tailored to immigrant nurses preparing for interviews in North America. It offers AI-driven mock interviews, tailored questions based on job listing and resume, customizable question sets, and insightful feedback to build confidence and bridge cultural and language gaps.
My Role & Responsibility
I led the development of Onward, collaborating closely with a team of seven to bring the project from ideation to completion. As Project Lead, I managed timelines, sprints, and weekly objectives, fostering collaboration and ensuring alignment at every stage.
In addition to leadership responsibilities, I contributed to UI/UX design and frontend development, prioritizing an intuitive and accessible user experience. By addressing challenges such as underemployment and interview anxiety, the app empowers underrepresented communities to confidently pursue roles in the Canadian healthcare system.
PROBLEM STATMENT
Why Immigrant Nurses Struggle in the Hiring Process
Understanding User Pain Points
Securing employment in Canada’s healthcare sector is challenging for internationally educated nurses (IENs). Despite strong qualifications and experience, these nurses face significant hurdles often due to communication barriers. Our survey found that over 60% of IENs identified communication skills as a major barrier to employment. This highlights the need for targeted resources to help these nurses navigate the Canadian healthcare system and improve their communication abilities.
Research indicates that immigrants comprise 25% of the Canadian nursing workforce, yet nearly 50% of IENs are overqualified for their current roles. These nurses often find it difficult to adapt to Canadian healthcare protocols and properly represent themselves. There is a pressing need for an application that addresses these challenges and supports these nurses in successfully entering the workforce.
""44% of internationally educated healthcare workers are overqualified for their current position""
RESEARCH
Research Phase
Exploring User Insights to Shape Design Choices
User Surveys
In the research phase, we conducted user surveys to gather insights from healthcare professionals regarding their interview preparation needs. The surveys targeted a diverse group, including both immigrant and non-immigrant nurses, focusing on their experiences and challenges faced during job interviews. Participants highlighted common issues such as the unpredictability of interview questions and the lack of structured preparation resources. This feedback is crucial as it helps us identify key pain points and informs the design of our interview preparation tool, ensuring it effectively addresses the specific needs and concerns of these users.
Competitor Analysis
In our competitor analysis, we conducted secondary research to uncover the key pain points immigrants face when seeking employment in Canada, particularly during the job interview process. We evaluated existing competitors like Yoodli, VMock, and InterviewMe, identifying gaps we could fill with our solution. Our research focused on sectors where immigrants struggle the most, such as trades, IT, and healthcare, allowing us to refine our target audience. Utilizing academic studies, government reports, and social media insights, we gathered valuable data on immigrant experiences, ensuring our solution stands out by providing tailored support for immigrant job seekers.
User Personas
We developed primary and secondary user personas to capture the experiences of immigrant job seekers. The primary persona is a nurse currently seeking employment in Canada, navigating credential recognition and communication challenges. The secondary persona is a registered nurse already employed, facing issues related to adapting to the Canadian healthcare system. These personas guide our solution development to effectively address their specific needs.
Persona: Primary
Persona: Primary
Persona: Secondary
Persona: Secondary
Key Findings
3 Key Insights from Our Survey
1. Communication Barriers
respondents identified communication as a significant obstacle during the job interview process. Immigrants often face challenges in articulating their qualifications and experiences, particularly when English is not their first language. This difficulty can hinder their ability to effectively respond to interview questions, impacting their overall confidence and performance.
2. Lack of Familiarity with Canadian Interview Norms
Survey participants highlighted their unfamiliarity with Canadian interview expectations and cultural norms. Many expressed uncertainty about what employers prioritize during interviews, such as soft skills and self-promotion. This lack of knowledge can lead to misunderstandings and missed opportunities during the job application process.
3. Need for Tailored Support and Resources
Respondents emphasized the need for targeted resources to assist them in navigating the job market. Many expressed interest in interview coaching, resume writing support, and access to platforms that provide tailored feedback. This indicates a strong demand for solutions that cater specifically to the unique challenges faced by immigrant job seekers in Canada.
Design & Ideation
Converting Research to Design
Turning Research Insights into a Seamless User Experience
4 key features to address user pain points (based on survey results)
- Personalized Interview Preparation
(upload job listings and resumes for tailored questions) - Customizable Practice Sessions
(select the number of questions and question type) - Flexible Answering Options
(respond to questions through speech or text) - Constructive Feedback
(receive critiques based on answers)
Early Design & Variations
In the early design and iteration phase, we explored various design concepts and variations to shape our user interface. These initial designs were influenced not only by our research findings but also by our development capabilities and the time constraints we faced. By focusing on enhancing user experience through the integration of key features identified during our research, we ensured that our designs aligned with user needs while remaining feasible for implementation
This iterative process enabled us to refine our designs based on feedback, ultimately leading to a more user-centered and effective final product.
Visual Design & Style Guide
The style guide outlines essential design elements for the application, including the color scheme with specific HEX codes, typography with defined fonts and sizes, and a UI kit featuring buttons and navigation elements. It also includes an icon library for common actions, a logo explanation that reinforces brand identity, and a watermark to enhance branding without compromising user experience.
Site Map
The Site Map was instrumental in organizing the app’s structure for clear navigation, allowing users to easily access key features such as job listing uploads, tailored question selection, and feedback mechanisms. This thoughtful organization ensures an intuitive user experience that meets the needs of our target audience effectively.
Site Map
FINAL PROJECT
App Overview
Creating a Seamless Experience: The Final App Design
In this section, we will unveil the fully realized app, focusing on the primary features and design choices that emerged from our iterative development process.
Here we will highlight how user feedback and research guided the final design, ensuring the final product meets the needs of our target users.
1
Upload Resume & Job Listing
Personalized Interview Preparation
The Personalized Interview Preparation feature tailors the interview experience by allowing users to upload job listings and resumes, generating customized questions relevant to their specific roles. By focusing on situational and behavioral questions pertinent to their target jobs, this feature helps users practice effectively, boosting their confidence and readiness for real interviews. This personalization is crucial for addressing the unique challenges faced by immigrants seeking employment in Canada, bridging the gap between their previous experiences and Canadian employer expectations.
2
Customize your Interview
Customizable Practice Sessions
The Customize Your Interview feature empowers users to select the number of questions and the type of inquiries they want to practice, such as situational or behavioral questions. This flexibility allows users to tailor their preparation sessions according to their individual needs and comfort levels, enhancing their learning experience. By giving users control over their interview practice, this feature addresses specific pain points, enabling them to focus on areas where they may need the most improvement and ensuring they feel more prepared and confident when facing real interview scenarios.
3
Tailored Interview Questions
Optimized Questions
The Tailored Interview Questions feature provides users with personalized queries that align with their specific job applications and experiences. By analyzing user-uploaded resumes and job listings, the app generates relevant questions that reflect the skills and competencies required for the position. This dynamic approach ensures that users are well-prepared for interviews by practicing questions that resonate with their career aspirations, ultimately boosting their confidence and readiness.
4
Practice with Text or speech
Flexible Answering Options
The Practice with Text or Speech feature provides users with the option to respond to interview questions either through text input or voice recording. This dual approach accommodates different learning styles and preferences, allowing users to choose the method that feels most comfortable for them. By enabling speech responses, the feature helps users improve their verbal communication skills and become more articulate in their answers. This flexibility not only enhances the user experience but also prepares candidates for the dynamic nature of real interview settings, where clear and confident communication is key.
5
Instant Feedback
Constructive Feedback
The Instant Feedback feature offers users real-time evaluations of their responses, focusing on areas such as filler words, relevance, and overall clarity rather than assigning a score. By providing constructive insights on their answers, users can understand where improvements can be made, emphasizing that there is always room for growth in their communication skills. This feedback not only fosters a learning mindset but also enhances users' confidence and readiness for actual interviews, reinforcing the idea that every practice session is an opportunity for improvement.
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