Brief
Uber required their travel partner to support candidate‑approved bookings. The system needed to enable candidates to provide personal information, such as date of birth and gender, while notifying hiring managers of both the booking request and the final approval of the candidate‑approved booking.
Role
Lead UI/UX Designer/Developer
Duration
2018
Tools
Adobe Creative Suite and Visual Studio
Problem
Uber faced a significant challenge in managing travel arrangements for new hire candidates during the recruitment process in the United States.
Coordinating logistics for interviews and onboarding was complex. The need to efficiently book travel for multiple candidates was clear. At the same time keeping candidate personal information confidential was critical.
Hiring managers required visibility into the status of bookings for flights hotels and car rentals without exposure to sensitive data. Security was a high priority.
Candidate data such as full names addresses and other identifiers had to be protected from unauthorized access. The system also needed the flexibility to handle last‑minute changes or cancellations and provide real‑time updates on travel approvals.
Without an integrated solution the process risked delays higher costs and potential breaches of confidentiality.
- The lack of an integrated travel booking system made coordinating logistics complex and prone to delays and higher costs.
- Ensuring candidate privacy was difficult because hiring managers needed visibility into travel arrangements without exposing sensitive personal information.
- The system lacked flexibility to manage last‑minute changes or cancellations while providing real‑time updates, leaving the process susceptible to inefficiencies and miscommunication.
Prototype to Advanced Layout
Solution
The answer was a secure efficient travel booking system tailored to recruitment needs. It integrated smoothly with existing platforms to handle multiple travel requests at once. Candidate information was encrypted stored securely and access was limited to individuals directly involved in the process. This minimized the risk of unauthorized exposure.
A notification engine kept hiring managers informed in real time about booking events modifications and approvals while keeping personal details hidden. The system distinguished between expense types including flights hotels and car rentals and delivered notifications for each stage of the booking process. Flexibility was built in for last‑minute adjustments or cancellations so that travel plans could be revised without delay or additional cost. Expense tracking and reporting tools improved transparency and accountability throughout the process
Success
Conclusion
In tackling the intricate challenge of managing candidate travel within the recruitment process, Uber (with Curt Chillstrom as lead UI/UX design and development) crafted a purpose‑built system that strikes a rare balance between efficiency and confidentiality.
By integrating securely with recruitment platforms, encrypting sensitive data, and restricting access to relevant users, the solution maintained candidate privacy while enabling seamless booking management.
Real‑time notifications kept hiring managers in the loop, without ever compromising personal details, and the system’s flexibility meant last‑minute changes, cancellations, or multi‑leg travel plans were handled gracefully.
The outcome was a secure, streamlined, and user‑friendly process that mitigated delays, reduced administrative friction, and safeguarded candidate data, demonstrating how thoughtful design can elevate operational workflows and uphold trust in high‑stakes hiring scenarios.
