odesk recommendations
DESCRIPTION
Client project from SI622.TRANSCRIPT
•Major functions: Job search, messaging, skills tests•Our focus: Designers from the US, South Asia and Eastern Europe searching for, applying to, and completing jobs•Our goal: Form recommendations that oDesk can implement in small team projects
Overview Methods Findings Discussion Conclusion
ODESK: AN ONLINE JOB MARKETPLACE THAT CONNECTSGLOBAL FREELANCERS AND BUSINESSES
Overview Methods Findings Discussion Conclusion
PRIMARY PERSONA: MEET ALFONS NOWICKI
“oDesk was the beginning of my second life.”
GENDER MaleAGE 52LOCATION PolandOCCUPATION Graphic DesignerEDUCATION B.A. in Advertising
TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE% INCOME FROM ODESK 100%ODESK HOURLY RATE $40 USDYEARS ON ODESK 5 years
NEEDS�Simple and efficient tool to work with clients and team members�Option to choose between fixed and hourly rates�Ability to work at least 30 hours a week
GOALS�Provide for self and family�Stay up to date in his technical skills and software�Extend professional connections and work with international clients
Recommendations
Interview5 interviewees from US, South Asia and Eastern
Europe
Survey1,435 Responses; 24%
Response Rate
Comparative Analysis10 different direct,
analogous, partial and parallel comparisons
Heuristic EvaluationIndividual evaluations
using Nielsen’s ten heuristics
Usability Testing5 independent contractors3 tasks: searching for jobs,
applying to jobs and taking a skills test
Overview Methods Findings Discussion Conclusion
A VARIETY OF RESEARCH METHODS GENERATEDACTIONABLE RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE ODESK
EVIDENCE• Search tools & boxes lack transparency (Usability testing,
Heuristic Evaluation)
• Job & search categories do not match the real world (Survey, Heuristic Evaluation)
• Competitors offer a more comprehensive job search (Comparative Analysis, Survey)
• Absence of tracking a specific job (Comparative Analysis, Heuristic Evaluation)
Overview Methods Findings Discussion Conclusion
DESIGNERS NEED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE JOB SEARCH
SEVERITY
RECOMMENDATION •Explicitly state search capabilities•Refine job search categories•Provide more search options that designers desire•Add the ability to track a specific job
Overview Methods Findings Discussion Conclusion
DESIGNERS NEED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE JOB SEARCH
SEVERITY
EVIDENCE• Small attachment size limits (Interview, Comparative Analysis)
• Cannot contact clients without an oDesk account (Interview)• Contractors want message filters and search options
(Interview, Survey, Comparative Analysis)
• Absence of online chat & mobile alerts (Interview, Comparative Analysis, Survey)
Overview Methods Findings Discussion Conclusion
DESIGNERS NEED A BETTER MESSAGING SYSTEM
SEVERITY
RECOMMENDATION •Increase the attachment size •Create a searchable message system with email integration•Add an online messenger for designers to connect with clients
Overview Methods Findings Discussion Conclusion
DESIGNERS NEED A BETTER MESSAGING SYSTEM
SEVERITY
EVIDENCE•Test Score page and the help center lack breadcrumb navigation to indicate users' current locations (Heuristic Evaluation)
•Sent job applications lack noticeable labels in “user-friendly” language (Heuristic Evaluation, Usability Testing)• Submenu “Profile” and “Find Jobs” under the main menu “Find Work” are confusing (Heuristic Evaluation, Usability Testing)
DESIGNERS NEED CLEARER NAVIGATIONAL LABELS
Overview Methods Findings Discussion Conclusion
SEVERITY
RECOMMENDATION•Add navigational hints or breadcrumb bar•Unify the term “work” and “job”•Add obvious feedback for job application status in “user-friendly” language
DESIGNERS NEED CLEARER NAVIGATIONAL LABELS
Overview Methods Findings Discussion Conclusion
SEVERITY
EVIDENCE•During the test, users cannot see the test title, and the timer is fixed (Heuristic Evaluation)• Test history is not shown in the test center (Heuristic Evaluation, Usability Testing)•Too many specific categories to scan quickly (Usability Testing)•Time durations on instructions sometimes conflict(Heuristic Evaluation, Usability Testing)•No visible clues to tell users how to pause a test and resume it later (Heuristic Evaluation, Usability Testing)
SKILLS TESTS ARE DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE, LACKINGVISIBILITY AND FEEDBACK
Overview Methods Findings Discussion Conclusion
SEVERITY
RECOMMENDATION•Partition the Skills Test landing page into different sections such as “My Skills Tests” and “All Skills Test” to show users’ test history and status
Overview Methods Findings Discussion Conclusion
SKILLS TESTS ARE DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE, LACKINGVISIBILITY AND FEEDBACK
SEVERITY
RECOMMENDATION•Provide clear visual clues to let users know how to resume a test•More noticeable instructions on how to pause and resume a test•Broader skills test categories & unified time durations in instruction page
Overview Methods Findings Discussion Conclusion
SKILLS TESTS ARE DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE, LACKINGVISIBILITY AND FEEDBACK
SEVERITY
What happens after the contractors are hired for a job?Our project scope mainly focused on the functionalities of job search, job application and skills tests, which are limited to the usability before the contractor are actually hired by the clients.
Time tracker Wallet function
Messaging Transactions
Overview Methods Findings Discussion Conclusion
KEY AREAS THAT WERE MISSED
• Usability tests with the target audience
South Asia Eastern Europe
Overview Methods Findings Discussion Conclusion
FURTHER STUDIES