Dreamjobs Job Search Portal and a 3x Increase in Conversion

As the final stage of their rebranding project, the popular job advertising portal approached our team with a design validation task. What originally began as a user test soon grew into much more for both parties: we developed entirely new user flows for Dreamjobs.hu and jointly found solutions to previously unidentified UX problems. Our team not only played a key role in testing and UX design, but we were also entrusted with designing the UI and responsive mobile layouts.

How did we achieve 3x the original Dreamjobs.hu site performance and a 4x increase in soft conversions in the B2C segment?

This case study presents the project's details, its challenges, and the value of collaboration.

The Outcome

1. User Testing

2. Stakeholder Interviews

3. Persona Analyses

4. User Journeys

5. Competitor Research (B2C & B2B)

6. Wireframes

7. Figma Prototypes

8. UI for Desktop and Mobile

The Team

• 1 Project Manager

• 2 Product Designers

• 1 IT Lead (client-side)

• 1 Project Owner (client-side)

  
  

Expertise Areas

• UX Research & Testing

• Information Architecture Design

• UI Design

• Service Design

Timeline

✅ March 2022: First usability test (planning, execution, evaluation)

✅ April 2022: UX research phase (stakeholder interviews, competitor analysis, UX audit, journey mapping, workshops, persona analysis)

✅ Early Summer 2022: First UI design (bug fixes, new features, desktop & mobile designs)

✅ Late Summer 2022: Prototype building (test setup, execution, evaluation)

✅ September 2022: Second usability test (prototype testing)

✅ October 2022: UI updates based on test feedback

✅ November 2022: Project close (handover, developer support)
​​​​

That First User Test 

The original project goal was to test Figma designs tied to the new brand identity. Our team participated in building the prototype, organizing the test, writing the script, running and evaluating the tests. Participants were a mix of current and new users.

Test Preparation and Journey Analysis

Initial stakeholder interviews revealed needs and outlined the existing user journeys. Due to the complexity, we split testing into four thematic areas: registration/login, job search, job application, company search/follow.

Two team members were involved: one moderator and one observer.

Test Execution and Evaluation

Participants were selected from the target audience, including both users familiar with the old site and newcomers. Each session lasted 1–1.5 hours, recorded on video and conducted via online platforms due to the pandemic.

Raw feedback was compiled into an Excel sheet, identifying issues and collecting valuable insights.

Participant Quotes:

• Balázs: "Graphic elements are fine, modern and fresh."

• Kata: "Not like LinkedIn—more friendly."

• Barni: "Too many company types—things blend together."

• Bence: "Cards make it feel human."

• Edit: "Cards lack visual hierarchy, hard to follow."

• Marci: "Would I apply? Not sure. Icons aren’t consistent."

New Challenges, Expanded Scope

The Problem We knew there were black holes in the journey logic. Tests confirmed flawed processes, missing screens, and hard-to-understand content (like job listings).

With a good design foundation but serious UX issues, and the original designers no longer involved, the situation seemed stuck.

The Solution We extended the agreement. Based on 87 identified issues, stakeholder input, and local/international best practices, we were commissioned not just to find solutions, but to implement them.

New tasks

🟢 Market research

🟢 Persona analysis

🟢 Solution exploration

🟢 User journey design

🟢 Customer Journey Map

🟢 Information Architecture (IA) design

🟢 Workshops

🟢 Stakeholder interviews

🟢 Value propositions

🟢 Card sorting

🟢 Wireframes

🟢 New UI plans

🟢 Responsive mobile views

🟢 User testing – round 2

🟢 Test evaluation

🟢 UI updates

Our Research Strategy & Tools 

Qualitative research continued with workshops, stakeholder interviews, and persona analysis. We also started collecting and analyzing quantitative data.

Competitor Analysis 

We evaluated both local and global competitors in the job advertising space. Insights were compiled into a best practices document.

Workshops 

Workshops helped structure the site and content. Using card sorting, we co-designed an intuitive navigation system and information architecture. Stakeholder input framed our efforts.

Persona Analyses 

Understanding the target audience was critical. Using test results and user data, we profiled users, motivations, goals, and common features used—informing design and development.

Customer Journey Map 

We created two maps: one reflecting current issues, and another showing the ideal experience. These maps guided our design decisions.

High-Fidelity UI Designs 

With final research and interviews complete, we improved the UI and created new content. The design system was updated, UX issues were addressed, and responsive layouts built.

Example UX Issues and Fixes

Job Cards:

• Problem: Tags confused users (e.g., 'Senior'), long company names broke layout, icons inconsistent.

• Fix: Replaced tags with informative labels, adjusted colors, added similar job links, improved name display, differentiated icons.

Job Details Page:

• Problem: Hard to scan, unclear info ownership, poor functionality.

• Fix: Reorganized info blocks for clarity.

Job Application Process:

• Problems: Misleading layout made users think they must choose options. Profile application was confusing. No guest apply option. No feedback after application.

• Fixes: Moved company preferences earlier in journey. De-emphasized profile login. Added fast “DJ profile” creation. Enabled LinkedIn apply. Added detailed confirmation pop-up.

Clickable Prototypes 

We built high-fidelity prototypes and new pages to test and validate improvements.

Second User Test 

We tested key desktop screens (homepage, listings, job details, application), mobile screens, and the profile page. Users completed guided tasks. Insights helped us refine designs into a research-backed, tested solution.

More Participant Quotes:

• Zsófi: "Other job portals are depressing. Smiling faces here are nice."

• Márk: "Job cards look great and include all info."

• Zsanett: "Show what’s offered first, then expectations."

• Dóri: "Breaks the dullness of job hunting."

• Kriszta: "Good info blocks, but too many can blur things."

• Réka: "Feels like a trendy LinkedIn."

What We Delivered – Conclusion

The Dreamjobs project proves that even a half-finished rebrand design can hide great potential if the goal is a high-converting, easy-to-use platform.

The project’s success hinged on thorough research—often half of the work. This effort resulted in real impact and a strong partnership with the client.

Dreamjobs achieved:

• 3x more job applications

• 4x more registrations post-release

This exceeded their goals and reduced marketing costs, giving them a competitive edge in the job portal market.