Gemini for Job Seekers
Transformed job searching by using personalized AI assistance and humanized summarizations.
Focus
Enhancement
Industry
Artificial Intelligence
Email Productivity
Timeline
April 2024
5 days
Process
Sole Contributor - Discovery, Research, Design, Testing, Delivery
Problem
Navigating applications can be a frustrating experience for job seekers, causing anxiety in the long run from repetitive actions, all while taking a huge emotional toll.
Goal
Design an innovative feature powered by Gemini AI analysis. This will streamline application management and alleviate the anxiety of job rejection emails. Gemini AI tackles the hassle of reading application updates by providing empathetic summaries.
The Why
This project came from a really tough time in my life: a brutal two-year job search where I got rejected over 600 times in just 16 months. It was a constant grind of sending out applications, hoping for the best, and then getting knocked down again and again. Honestly, it really took a toll on me, both emotionally and mentally.
And I was just so tired of reading the same rejection emails over and over. Going through that made me realize how tough job hunting can be for everyone. But then I started learning about these amazing new AI tools like Gemini, and I thought, "Wow, this could really help people like me!" I'm a big fan of Gemini, and I could see how it could be used to create something that would take even just a little of the stress and anxiety out of job searching.
Background
Job searching can be incredibly stressful and disheartening. Gemini AI, Google's most advanced large language model, is designed to be highly capable and efficient. Imagine having an AI companion that not only analyzes your job related emails for critical information but also provides support throughout your job search. Gemini represents a significant leap forward in AI, with the potential to transform how we react during the job search.
52% of job seekers find not hearing back from employers after applying or interviewing to be a major stressor. (Source: Robert Half)
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Challenges
The rapid rise of AI technologies like Gemini and ChatGPT, with their potential to understand and respond to human emotions, inspired me to explore how AI could be used to create a more supportive and efficient job search experience. With that in mind, I wanted to leverage AI to tackle these goals:
Goal 1
Reduce Anxiety: Gemini can reduce some anxiety by notifying you of application updates and lets you choose when or if to receive summaries.
Goal 2
Offer Encouragement: Tailored summaries can offer supportive messages in the case of rejection, keeping you motivated in your job search.
Goal 3
Save Time: Key details are extracted from application updates, allowing you to quickly understand the message with the company's own words.
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Above: Collapsed view of the Gemini AI overlay on a job application update, showing a truncated summary; Below: An expanded view of the Gemini AI overlay on a job application update.
Above: Gemini AI automatically identifies application submissions and prompts you to enable response tracking; Below: Enabling the "Track application responses" feature allows you to receive AI-powered summaries of your job application updates.
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In the US, as of October 2024, the average duration of unemployment was 22.8 weeks, with 20.3% of unemployed people being jobless for 27 weeks or longer (considered long-term). (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
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Deliverables
To streamline the job application process, I designed a Gmail extension powered by Gemini AI.* This optional extension, accessible from the top right corner of the Gmail app, intelligently analyzes incoming emails, focusing on those related to job applications. When a response to your application is detected – be it a rejection, an interview request, or a status update – Gemini AI discreetly notifies you with a request to review the email, wherein it will provide a summary.
This summary, presented in Gemini's existing overlay, allows you to quickly grasp the essence of the company's response without having to sift through the entire email. To further enhance the experience, Gemini AI will even tailor the summary's tone to be lighter and more humorous, providing a bit of levity during what can be a stressful process. Moreover, this approach prioritizes user privacy by requiring explicit consent for email analysis and keeps the experience seamless by integrating seamlessly with the Gmail interface.
*It is important to note this project was conceptualized before Google's implementation of Gemini into Gmail. Some design ideas reflect pre-existing functionality.
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Above: Collapsed view of the Gemini AI overlay on a job application update, showing a truncated summary; Below: An expanded view of the Gemini AI overlay on a job application update.
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Conclusion
Gemini has the potential to be a valuable tool for anyone navigating the job market. By leveraging AI technology, it provides a more supportive and efficient way to manage job applications. As AI capabilities evolve, Gemini AI will continue to adapt, offering even more personalized and insightful features for job seekers. Since Gemini's implementation in Gmail this summer, it has evolved to provide a more seamless and comprehensive AI-powered experience.
Case Study
