What features could Handshake add to its messaging system to facilitate more meaningful connections between students and employers?

Introduction

To improve Handshake's messaging system for more meaningful connections between students and employers, we need to analyze the current user experience, identify pain points, and propose innovative solutions. I'll focus on understanding user behaviors, exploring potential features, and aligning our improvements with Handshake's overall mission of bridging the gap between education and employment.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (5 mins)

• Looking at Handshake's position in the job market, I'm curious about its current user base and engagement levels. Could you share some insights on the active user numbers for both students and employers, and how frequently they interact through the messaging system?

Why it matters: This helps us understand the scale of the problem and potential impact of our solutions. Expected answer: Around 9 million students and 550,000 employers, with varying engagement levels. Impact on approach: High numbers would focus on scalability, while low engagement might prioritize activation features.

• Considering the evolving needs of Gen Z job seekers, I'm wondering about the current pain points in the messaging system. What are the top complaints or feature requests from both students and employers regarding the messaging experience?

Why it matters: Identifies specific areas for improvement and user expectations. Expected answer: Lack of personalization, difficulty in managing high volumes of messages, and limited integration with other platform features. Impact on approach: Would guide our feature prioritization and inform the types of solutions we develop.

• Given the competitive landscape of job platforms, I'm interested in Handshake's unique value proposition. How does Handshake currently differentiate its messaging system from competitors like LinkedIn or Indeed, and what are the key metrics you're looking to improve?

Why it matters: Helps align our solutions with Handshake's strategic goals and market positioning. Expected answer: Focus on early career opportunities and campus recruiting, aiming to improve message response rates and time-to-hire. Impact on approach: Would influence the direction of our features to enhance Handshake's competitive edge.

• Considering the potential for AI and automation in recruitment, I'm curious about Handshake's current technology stack and future roadmap. Are there any AI-driven features in the pipeline or data insights that could inform our messaging system improvements?

Why it matters: Ensures our solutions are forward-looking and aligned with technological trends. Expected answer: Some basic AI for job matching, with plans to expand into more sophisticated recommendation systems. Impact on approach: Would guide the integration of AI capabilities in our proposed messaging features.