JUMP TO CONTENT

Designing the future of recruitment: Ty Fairclough, UX/Product Designer at SmartRecruiters

Posting date: 07/31/2024

Meet Ty Fairclough, a UX/Product designer whose creative vision and passion for improving the candidate experience are shaping the future of hiring at SmartRecruiters. From his base in Essex, Ty discusses his multifaceted role, the unique culture at SmartRecruiters, and his advice for aspiring designers in this insightful interview.


Question: Tell about your current role in SmartRecruiters, your set of tasks and team you work with.

Ty: Hi folks I'm Ty a UX / Product designer working for SmartRecruiters and I'm based out of, sometimes sunny, Essex in the UK.

My key responsibilities are to lead the discovery and design tracks in a team accountable for the application and screening steps in the candidate experience. I am one member of a triad that supports a product team including: engineers, a product analyst, an Agile coach, and a marketing manager. 

I'm wearing many hats from recruiting customers to writing acceptance criteria. As a team, we are cross-functional and support each other whenever we can. I spend most of my time in Slack, Miro, Google Meet, and Figma. In that order, contrary to the stereotypical designer. I'm spending most of my time communicating and listening so that the designs I put together in Figma are well-considered and speak to my stakeholder's needs.

Question: What do you love most about your job? Please share examples.

Ty: 

1) I’m like an Agony Aunt, I enjoy listening to customers and candidates talk about their struggles and goals. The role of recruitment in society is to bring people together. My work, in some small part, helps improve how we do this. Consequently lives change and the world becomes a better place than before. While that is terribly cliche it is what intrinsically motivates me each day. 

2) Solving problems is also a big part of my role as a designer, the more complex the better. I think of the competing needs of customers, candidates, and the business as a jigsaw that needs piecing together. We're not solving simple problems here, we are in the match-making game and it is hard. If you have ever been a hiring manager, a recruiter, and most of all a candidate you will know just how hard it can be. 

When you zoom out and think about the scale of the challenge, it consists of two parts: 

- To find a strong match between employer and employee so that they may work together for a day, a month, a decade or more. 

- Do that with very little information and very little time.

You can appreciate how the odds are stacked against you as a candidate, a recruiter, and as a designer. I like that this isn’t a solvable problem, only one you can get closer to ideal. That means my work is never done. 

Question: What makes working at SmartRecruiters different from other companies?

Ty: SmartRecruiters’ flexible and remote first policies give my family the flexibility we need and in kind I return that with flexibility on my side. I have gained 3 hours of daily commute back that I can use to live my life. I was contracting before and while the money was fantastic, I was spending long periods of time away and isolated. It wasn't good for the mental health of my wife and daughter which in turn stressed me out. 

I enjoy the relationship we have with our customer support and success managers. They are always on hand to talk, be involved in our workshops as SMEs, and ultimately stand-up and be heard on behalf of the customer. They also go beyond what I have seen other organisations do in terms of helping each and every customer the best they can.

Question: What advice would you give to someone looking to join your team at SmartRecruiters? What qualities do they need to succeed?

Ty: I would like to see more neurodiverse perspectives so folks who see the world differently would top my list of valuable qualities for improving the success of the team, so therefore I believe you need to be a good team player to find success here. Design, for me, is a team sport. If you are good to your colleagues they will often reciprocate and help you achieve your goals. Our job, as designers, is to bring different perspectives together and facilitate these people to design with us. My focus is on customers, users, and our internal stakeholders. If you can bring these people into your team, and manage them well,  success is likely to follow.

Facilitation skills are very valuable. To manage all these people can be tough. Some are highly engaged and hold strong opinions, while others are quieter and have a weaker ability to assert their views but in no way makes them less valid. It is beneficial if you can; facilitate groups, keep them engaged, and find ways to extract their perspectives in equitable ways. It is tough and a skill that can be continually improved. 



Tags

Posted byAlicja Spizarska
List #1

Jobs you might be interested in

Senior Product Manager

Salary

Location

Poland

Location

United Kingdom

Department

Product

Description

We are looking for an outstanding Senior Product Manager to join our team and help drive the evolution within our product suite. You'll be part of the group responsible for Candidate screening that wa

Reference

39180a6c-d65f-470f-92cb-d191e583bb47

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Read more
Read more
Senior Product Manager

Salary

Location

Poland

Location

Poland

Department

Product

Description

We are looking for an outstanding Senior Product Manager to join our team and help drive the evolution within our product suite. You'll be part of the group responsible for Candidate screening that wa

Reference

6992e35d-e379-4f6b-94c7-a12f4b6e807b

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Read more
Read more
Senior Product Operations Manager

Salary

Location

Poland

Location

United Kingdom

Department

Product

Description

As a Senior Product Operations Manager at SmartRecruiters you will play a critical role in ensuring optimised, efficient and scaled product operations and your contribution will enable our Product Man

Reference

b24d206a-9d02-4caf-8f80-0a13e847f40d

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Read more
Read more
Senior Product Operations Manager

Salary

Location

Poland

Location

Poland

Department

Product

Description

As a Senior Product Operations Manager at SmartRecruiters you will play a critical role in ensuring optimised, efficient and scaled product operations and your contribution will enable our Product Man

Reference

3c8442a2-c90b-431b-b23c-d789e5ef4040

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Read more
Read more
Enterprise Account Executive

Salary

Location

Germany

Location

Germany

Department

Sales

Description

As an Enterprise Account Executive, your core objective is new logo acquisition by taking on a solutions approach to the pursuit of enterprise deals across multiple verticals.What you’ll deliver:Activ

Reference

4aa45d5d-0353-4ab8-960d-7fec9d929811

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Read more
Read more
Enterprise Account Executive

Salary

Location

France

Location

France

Department

Sales

Description

We are currently inviting expressions of interest from individuals who wish to be notified about potential opportunities within our Enterprise Sales team. If you are interested please register your in

Reference

3ab09642-555e-4573-9fd9-a34e344beeef

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Read more
Read more
Senior Software Engineer, Backend

Salary

Location

Poland

Location

Poland

Department

Engineering

Description

Our engineering team solves one of the most important problems of the modern economy - connecting great people with great jobs. We believe this problem can only be solved with technology, and we devel

Reference

2150d753-1a8a-4a5c-83f2-6337a4c06c5b

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Read more
Read more
List #1

Working at SmartRecruiters

Designing for Impact: Adrian’s Journey at SmartRecruiters

Teaser

Day in the Life

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

01/27/2025

Summary

At SmartRecruiters, design is more than just aesthetics. It’s about collaboration, empowerment, and creating impactful user experiences. Adrian Dąbrowski, a Senior Product Designer, shares his journey

Teaser

At SmartRecruiters, design is more than just aesthetics. It’s about collaboration, empowerment, and creating impactful user experiences. Adrian Dąbrowski, a Senior Product Designer, shares his journey, from innovative projects and team dynamics to the culture that fuels creativity and growth.

Read more
Behind the Scenes with Ewa Koprowska: Continuous Improvement Manager

Teaser

Day in the Life

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

12/04/2024

Summary

Ewa brings a unique perspective to her role as Continuous Improvement Manager, blending a deep respect for structure with a passion for fostering collaboration and innovation. In this interview, she s

Teaser

Ewa brings a unique perspective to her role as Continuous Improvement Manager, blending a deep respect for structure with a passion for fostering collaboration and innovation. In this interview, she shares her journey to SmartRecruiters, what excites her about the company’s culture, and her advice for those considering joining our dynamic team.

Read more
Leading with Innovation: Donald Lika's Journey as Engineering Team Lead at SmartRecruiters

Teaser

Day in the Life

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/09/2024

Summary

In this interview, Donald Lika, Engineering Team Lead, shares how his team balances innovation, teamwork, and customer impact to create seamless candidate experiences.  Document @import

Teaser

In this interview, Donald Lika, Engineering Team Lead, shares how his team balances innovation, teamwork, and customer impact to create seamless candidate experiences

Read more
Innovation, collaboration and impact - Sara Osama's role as a Senior Product Designer

Teaser

Day in the Life

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/20/2024

Summary

Explore the dynamic role of Sara Osama, a Senior Product Designer at SmartRecruiters, where every day brings new challenges, opportunities for creativity, and the chance to make a significant impact o

Teaser

xplore the dynamic role of Sara Osama, a Senior Product Designer at SmartRecruiters, where every day brings new challenges, opportunities for creativity, and the chance to make a significant impact on customers' lives. Discover what makes SmartRecruiters a unique place to work, and gain insights from Sara, who thrives in this innovative environment.

Read more
Behind the code. Insights from Jaideep Singh, Senior Software Engineer II at SmartRecruiters

Teaser

Day in the Life

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/02/2024

Summary

Meet Jaideep Singh, a Senior Software Engineer II at SmartRecruiters, in this feature of our 'A Day in the Life' series. We explore the nuances of his role, what makes working at SmartRecruiters uniqu

Teaser

Meet Jaideep Singh, a Senior Software Engineer II at SmartRecruiters, in this feature of our 'A Day in the Life' series. We explore the nuances of his role, what makes working at SmartRecruiters unique, and gain insights into his journey of innovation and collaboration. Discover firsthand the rewarding aspects of the job, the company culture, and valuable advice for those aspiring to join our dynamic team.

Read more
Karin's Journey with SmartRecruiters' Work from Anywhere Perk

Teaser

Day in the Life

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/02/2024

Summary

Uncover the details of SmartRecruiters' "work from anywhere" policy through the eyes of Karin Philippczyk, our Customer Marketing Program Manager. With over two years at the company, Karin shares her

Teaser

Uncover the details of SmartRecruiters' "work from anywhere" policy through the eyes of Karin Philippczyk, our Customer Marketing Program Manager. With over two years at the company, Karin shares her recent adventure to Mallorca, blending work with exploration. Her story highlights the benefits and practical tips of working remotely while enjoying new experiences.

Read more
A Senior Software Engineer's Journey at SmartRecruiters

Teaser

Day in the Life

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

06/19/2024

Summary

Joining SmartRecruiters in 2021, Marcin Słowiak has advanced to the role of Senior Software Engineer II. His dedication to enhancing the candidate application experience ensures a seamless proces

Teaser

Joining SmartRecruiters in 2021, Marcin Słowiak has advanced to the role of Senior Software Engineer II and team architect. His dedication to enhancing the candidate application experience ensures a seamless process for job seekers and helps employers find ideal candidates. Here’s an insight into what makes his role both exciting and impactful.

Read more
SmartRecruiters Wins Best Leadership Teams Award by Comparably

Teaser

Day in the Life

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

06/14/2024

Summary

SmartRecruiters has earned a spot on Comparably's Best Leadership Teams list, thanks to the positive feedback from our employees. This award showcase how employees view their CEO, leadership team

Teaser

SmartRecruiters has earned a spot on Comparably's Best Leadership Teams list, thanks to the positive feedback from our dedicated employees. This award showcase how employees view their CEO, leadership teams, and direct managers. It's our ninth award in the past year, reflecting our ongoing commitment to strong leadership and a positive workplace culture.

Read more
A Day in the Life of a Customer Success Manager

Teaser

Day in the Life

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

06/11/2024

Summary

Join Wibke Koetter, our Customer Success Manager, as she takes you through a typical day at SmartRecruiters, revealing her approach to customer success, the teamwork that fuels her role, and the perso

Teaser

Join Wibke Koetter, our Customer Success Manager, as she takes you through a typical day at SmartRecruiters, revealing her approach to customer success, the teamwork that fuels her role, and the personal insights that shape her journey.

Read more
How Does Working from Anywhere Look like? Insights from Our Customer Support Team Lead

Teaser

Day in the Life

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/29/2024

Summary

Discover how SmartRecruiters' 'work from anywhere' policy empowers employees to balance professional responsibilities with personal adventures. Hear from Dany Brunet, our Customer Support Team Lead, a

Teaser

Discover how SmartRecruiters' 'work from anywhere' policy empowers employees to balance professional responsibilities with personal adventures. Hear from Dany Brunet, our Customer Support Team Lead, as he shares his experiences and the guiding principles behind our exceptional support services.

Read more
View all
List #1

Jobs you have shown an interest in

Browse Jobs

Browse jobs by department