Background
Russian Railways is one of the largest employers in Russia, with a diverse range of career paths for applicants of all ages — from school students to experienced professionals. However, its recruitment, internship, and education processes were fragmented across multiple disconnected systems. This made it difficult for candidates to understand opportunities, apply effectively, or track their progress.
Client
Russian Railways (RZD)
Role
PO & head of design
Team
PO (me), Analytics (me), Engineers, Legal, Researchers (me)
Platform
B2C/B2G, Web Platform
Released (2022)
Problem
The company lacked a centralized platform to manage applications for jobs, internships, target education programs, professional retraining, and even children's railway programs. Application processing was manual and inconsistent, leading to lost candidates, long response times, and missed opportunities to engage future employees.
Solution
We conducted interviews with HR managers, students, and internal mobility candidates to map out user journeys and identify high-friction points. Additionally, we audited the existing government and corporate application platforms to ensure compatibility and compliance.
User Segments & Needs
We designed for three distinct business segments:
Job Seekers (External & Internal)
~50%
of users
Includes both external applicants and internal employees seeking transfers or new roles.
Looking for open vacancies or internal mobility
Value fast, transparent application status updates
Students (University & College Level)
~35%
of users
Enrolled in or graduating from transport-related educational institutions
Interested in internships and apprenticeships
Require easy onboarding, documentation support
Target Education Candidates
~15%
of users
High school graduates or early-year university students seeking corporate-sponsored degrees
Looking for financial and job guarantees
Need clear guidance on application criteria
The complex derivative crypto product
Key Features
We designed some magical things
Solution
We designed a unified career portal that automates and streamlines the entire lifecycle of talent engagement — from early education to job onboarding.
On the admin side, we integrated the portal with internal HR systems, state education registries, and RZD's applicant tracking systems — enabling fully automated processing of thousands of applications.
The platform allowed users to:
Apply for internships, vacancies, retraining, and target education programs
Track the status of their applications in real time
Receive tailored recommendations based on age, experience, and region
Participate in seasonal programs like student brigades or children’s railway camps
My Role
As Product Owner and Head of Design, I defined the product strategy, led cross-functional teams, and drove UX from research to delivery. I aligned business goals with user needs, oversaw interface design, and ensured seamless integration with HR and government systems — delivering a scalable, high-impact solution.
+750% increase in applications to educational programs
+124% increase in job applications within the first year
Application handling time reduced from weeks to days
Significantly improved candidate satisfaction and HR efficiency
Basil Artemov
@uxd_ink