Finding a Job is Easy – With Apps by JobCloud

Starting Point: From Web to App 

When we started working with JobCloud, there were hardly any competitors with apps in the market. But the company realised early on that the future of job search would be mobile: Job seekers use their commute or travel time to look for a new job. The website was not easy to use on a smartphone and a better native app would open up more opportunities.

To implement this, they asked for development support from Unic (or rather from iAgentur back then). A dedicated team including a project manager, app developers and testers worked as the extended workbench of the IT department, while the responsibility for the product remained with JobCloud.

Nicole BuriOctober 2022

App specialist iAgentur becomes part of Unic

The present speaks mobile. So does the future. That's why we're teaming up with app specialist iAgentur.

App specialist iAgentur becomes part of Unic

Outsourcing the Development Department

The starting point of our cooperation was the idea to provide job seekers with a mobile option for their job search because there was no mobile version of the website at that time.

Our first job was to develop high-performing, user-friendly native iOS and Android applications for the job search website jobs.ch and, from 2018, also for jobup.ch, the website for the French-speaking regions of Switzerland.

The apps were to support job seekers and employers with innovative and intuitive functions, maximising the efficiency and comfort for users. Since then, job seekers have been able to look for jobs anywhere and anytime.

Lauch of the First App

In workshops with the customer, the dedicated project team developed a strategy for the best possible implementation of the features in native apps, in line with Apple’s human interface guidelines and later the material design guidelines. Many conversations on customer experience, extensive requirements engineering and the inclusion of UX/UI experts on both sides resulted in the first release.

Two challenges stand out here: Defining and creating the required API and interfaces on the customer side and optimising the user experience for smaller screens while maintaining the branding.

At the same time, we made use of the opportunities that come with mobile devices, such as geolocation features, push notifications and much more.

We started out with the existing app, which we had improved and published in the App Store and on Google Play, where the Jobs.ch app was one of the first recruiting and job search apps.

This is what the app looked like in 2014/2015:

Expanding the Cooperation to JobUp 

Jobs.ch is available in German, French and English, but the jobs listed are mostly in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. This is why the company bought Jobup.ch: This app is available in French and English, listing jobs from the French-speaking part of Switzerland. We have been active here since 2018.

Continuing Development of the Two Apps

We started out with a small team, which grew substantially over the years: Fuelled by the success of the app, we added many new features, design updates and general improvements.

Here, we would like to highlight the salary check, which applicants can use to quickly and easily calculate how much they can expect to be paid for a certain position. This can be a significant advantage in a job interview.

Unic Becomes a Full Service Provider

Despite the economic fluctuation in the labour market, especially during the covid pandemic, the team [LW1] [LG2] was expanded and restructured. A Unic employee became the product manager/owner on the customer side. Since then, Unic has been the full service provider for native apps for JobCloud and also makes product decisions in coordination with other product owners such as the head of product, head of UX and other product managers at JobCloud. UI and UX activities are excluded from this agreement, they remain with the customer.

What is the Added Value of the Two Apps? 

The jobs.ch and jobup.ch apps are 100% native apps, offering the best possible performance while meeting the increasing or changing needs of the users. We achieved this by using various tracking technologies such as Tealium, enabling analysis of user behaviour and continual improvements based on the data. Even minor UX flaws are spotted this way, ensuring the flow is optimised.

Both apps have good scores in the Apple Store, an average of 4.8/5 stars, and are generally received well by users. This is also evident from the result, as Marek Lerche from JobCloud is happy to report:

Main Features of the Two Apps at a Glance 

Job Search  

• Search for jobs using keywords, location and many different filters such as type of employment, industry, company size, etc.

• Search in the map, which also allows you to draw a search area on the map with your fingertip.

• Tapping a search result displays all available information on a job, such as salary, location, commuting time etc.

• Easy application from the app.

Job Alerts and Push Notifications  

• Job searches can be saved as job alerts.

• Once there are new results for a saved search, users will be notified by email and/or push notification.

• Push notifications can also be activated for new jobs that match the job seekers’ profiles.

Application

• Users can save their application documents such as CVs and cover letters to their profile in the app. This enables users to apply for jobs quickly and easily, saving them time and energy.

• Users apply for jobs directly from the app using a dedicated form.

Company Search

• Job seekers can search for specific companies to check reviews and comments and current job openings.

• Users can follow specific companies to be notified of new job openings posted by them.

Salary check

• The app provides comprehensive salary statistics for individual job titles, grouped by industry, canton, work experience, gender and age, etc.

• Users can enter their salary and compare it to other salaries in the statistics.

Login/Registration  

• Users can search for jobs without having a profile, but creating a profile comes with many advantages, including better job recommendations and additional features such as job alerts, bookmarking jobs and much more.

• Documents and files are available across all platforms on which the users are logged in. This enables users to start the application process on one device and continue on another.

Profile Functions

• In their profile, users will find an overview of all applications, bookmarked jobs, uploaded documents, etc.

How Does JobCloud Profit From the Collaboration With Unic?

The two apps significantly help JobCloud achieve the strategic goal of generating new user registrations, enabling them to provide even better service to job seekers. And there is more: We were able to further optimise the app onboarding and login screens and increase registration numbers with simple A/B tests.

With the home screen icon, which is always visible, the apps contribute considerably to retention: The app is very present when users are on their smartphones. To put this in numbers: 80% of newly registered users return to the app within 30 days. Otherwise, if they have been inactive for longer, they are redirected to the app with push notifications.

This makes the two apps ideal flagships for JobCloud: Advertising takes people from frustrating work days straight to the solution – they go directly to the app:

Usage statistics have shown that the app is used predominantly for job searches. Access rates spike during commuting times. The number of job applications made while on the go is increasing.

A Look Behind the Scenes

We have been working very closely with JobCloud for almost 15 years now. There are now four product teams on the customer side, taking care of the entire job seeker product portfolio. Three of them work directly for JobCloud, the fourth is our native app team. This team consists of iOS and Android developers, a project manager, the product manager and a test manager. UX and UI for this team are done by JobCloud.

Over recent years, we have migrated the 100% native apps several times, from Objective-C to Swift and from Java to Kotlin. And of course, we have kept experimenting, making use of the latest features and functions of the operating systems and devices. We can already configure many parts of the app remotely or activate/deactivate features without an app update being required.

In 2023, we also added new onboarding features to further increase the number of active and registered users.

Improved Onboarding including Registration Request as a Success Factor for Growth and Retention.

The old, rather plain login wall was only displayed when users had selected a feature requiring it, such as saving job ads.

Now, we proactively use a sleek feature login wall to advertise the advantages for registered users. From here, registration is quick and easy, and users profit straight away – or simply skip it, knowing what they are missing out on.

Additionally, we created new intro login walls in 2023 as part of the general onboarding experience. Until then, no request to register was displayed when starting the app. This is important for job seekers, however, because it allows for better customisation of the content. New screens are available right after starting the app. Users can change the order and content, and if users swipe them away, the screens are displayed again after a few weeks.

A few results:

• Since the introduction of the new onboarding screens and the registration requests, JobCloud has massively increased the total number of registrations and logins. This is all the more important since data has shown that logged-in users do substantially better for key metrics such as job views and job applications. It also enables better personalisation of content and better service for users.

• The number of logged-in, active users has more than doubled.

• Since the introduction of the new onboarding screens, 20% of users register immediately when starting the app for the first time.

• The retention rate increased massively.

• The conversion from ‘applications started’ to ‘applications sent’ increased by more than 10%.

More optimisations are in the pipeline and being tested continually. We are excited to see where the journey takes us.

Expertise

• Product management

• Project management

• Native iOS and Android development

• Strategy and consulting

• Concept development

• Technical concept development

• Content

• Frontend implementation

• Backend implementation (push notifications)

• Analytics

• App store optimisation (ASO)

• Testing (unit tests, automated UI tests)

• Usability testing

• Application management

Products used

• Tealium

• Xcode

• Android Studio

• Swift

• Objective-C

• Kotlin

• Java

• Tealium

• Google Analytics

• Firebase

• TestFlight

• Google Play Beta Testing

• Figma

• Jenkins

• Appium

• Browser Stack

• Zephyr Scale

• Miro

• Tableau

Additional links

App Development

The development of apps is one of Unic's core competencies - and has been for over 17 years. We can also develop a customised solution for your company's app.

Mobile Apps

Contact for your Digital Solution with Unic

projektanfragen.de@unic.com+49 89 43 77 80 90

Book an appointment

Are you keen too discuss your digital tasks with us? We would be happy to exchange ideas with you.

Contact for your Digital Solution

projektanfragen.ch@unic.com+41 31 560 16 16

Book an appointment

Are you keen to talk about your next project? We will be happy exchange ideas with you.