Cake UX Study
Product Designer & UX Researcher
Early Summer 2024
Just skimming?
Here's the 1-min recap
The Why
My personal friction with Cake's UX led to an investigation of public feedback, revealing critical user needs related to privacy controls and job listing clarity. These gaps were identified as major drivers of user frustration and drop-off.
The What
I analyzed 50+ App Store reviews and conducted a competitive audit to define key opportunities. I then proposed features, including flexible privacy settings, a status filter for job listings, and a mobile-first resume builder, to strengthen the core offering and address critical user anxiety.
The Wow
Two months later, Cake rolled out updates that validated my core findings, aligning with 67% of my proposed solutions (job status clarity and mobile resume editing). This demonstrates the accuracy of my research and the critical nature of the UX gaps I identified.
See the story beneath the surface ↓
About Cake
Cake is a job platform known for letting users create custom resumes, and it’s one of Taiwan’s most recognized platforms, with nearly half of Taiwanese users on board.
Research Insights
Cake users want to grow their careers, but on their own terms, with moments of pause and privacy
Analysis of 50+ App Store reviews confirmed a pattern of user anxiety stemming from two key gaps: limited privacy options and outdated job listings. A competitive audit confirmed these issues presented a risk of losing users to platforms like LinkedIn and 104, which already addressed these emotional and functional needs.
Problem 01
Limited Privacy Options
At the time, Cake only offered two visibility settings: open to Cake users, or visible to the entire internet.
That’s it. No way to job hunt quietly. No control over who could see your profile, even past employers or strangers.
Design Focus
When does Visibility Feel Risky?
Based on user feedback, I identified three high-risk moments:
• When taking a break from job hunting
• When avoiding attention from previous coworkers or employers
• When not wanting strangers to access their profiles
Solution
Privacy that Respects Boundaries
I proposed letting users hide their profile temporarily or block specific viewers just like other platforms already do.
Because sometimes, the smartest move is staying under the radar.
Problem 02
Outdated Listings, Wasted Time
Users kept landing on expired job posts, frustrating, especially when they had to click in just to find out the job was closed.
Do that a few times, and it starts to erode trust.
Iteration
Two Ideas, Different Tradeoffs
I explored two directions based on competitor benchmarks and Cake’s visual language:
• Plan A shows job status tags on all saved listings, informative but visually dense.
• Plan B uses a filter to sort by availability, cleaner and more focused.
Solution
Clarity at a Glance
I chose Plan B for its simplicity and readability.
A status filter bar lets users instantly see what’s still open: faster scanning, fewer dead ends.
IMG Source: Cake.me
Problem 03
Resume was Still Desktop-Only
I saw an opportunity to strengthen Cake’s brand identity by turning their standout feature: custom resume building into something accessible anywhere, not just at a desk.
Solution
Resume Building that Moves with Users
I reimagined the current desktop flow into a mobile-friendly version, allowing users to update and build resumes on the go. Whether commuting or job searching between tasks, the experience stays smooth and empowering.
Validation & Outcome
67% Alignment with Official Product Updates
Just two months after this study, the official Cake product roadmap validated my core findings by implementing solutions that aligned with 67% of my proposals. This confirmed the strategic importance of the identified UX gaps:
• Mobile resume editing was launched, fully embracing Cake's core value proposition.
• Job status clarity was improved, directly addressing user frustration with outdated listings.
Reflection
What Went Well
• Surfaced strong user signals directly from public reviews
• Proposed features that later matched real product updates
• Reframed resume editing as a daily tool, not a sit-down task
What I’d Do Differently
• I overlooked the potential for autofill or backend-assisted resume editing
→ I had assumed users would want custom resumes per company, and missed the more common case of simply exporting work history. With more time, I’d optimize for both scenarios.
• I didn’t validate the emotional impact
→ Without testing, I couldn’t know how users really felt about flexible privacy or job status clarity. I’d love to hear feedback from real users especially about editing resumes wherever they are.