QLU2: +70% User Sessions with AI Search
Ali Abid
About The Client
QLU Recruit is a search platform for executive recruiting firms.
The first version was custom-built for Spencer Stuart. While powerful, it required heavy training and manual onboarding, which slowed adoption and scalability.
The Challenge
The original search UX was cluttered and complex:
15+ filters crowded the left side
3 different starting options (Prompt, Job Description, Filters)
Multi-step flows with previews, popups, and manual edits
This caused:
Hours of manual onboarding
CS/Sales tied up in training instead of growth
Inconsistent, confusing results → loss of trust
Low adoption despite strong backend capabilities
Problem in one line:
"A powerful tool that felt too complex to use, stalling growth "
Old Screens
The Approach
As Head of Product Design, I led a full redesign of the search experience.
Discovery → Sessions with CS, Sales, and Engineering to surface user pain points
Defining success → Set clear metrics (speed, adoption, reduced training)
Direction → Made conversational AI the default entry point, kept filters for experts
Iteration → Guided the team through milestones and tested with users
Stakeholder buy-in → Shared beta data to maintain alignment
The Solution
QLU Recruit is a search platform for executive recruiting firms.
The first version was custom-built for Spencer Stuart. While powerful, it required heavy training and manual onboarding, which slowed adoption and scalability.The Impact
The redesigned NexaTech website increased session durations by 30% and significantly reduced bounce rates. The clear, focused user journey helped the company see a 20% rise in new customer inquiries within the first three months post-launch.
The Impact
The redesigned NexaTech website increased session durations by 30% and significantly reduced bounce rates. The clear, focused user journey helped the company see a 20% rise in new customer inquiries within the first three months post-launch.
Building an AI product? Let's talk.
I'm Ali, a fractional product and design lead for seed to Series A AI startups. I make an AI product's output clear enough that people act on it without a manual. One AI feature I designed lifted user sessions 70%.
If you don't have a head/lead of product or design yet, that's the gap I fill. We can start with a 4-week audit or a monthly retainer.
Or message me right here on Contra.
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Posted Jun 16, 2026
Redesigned QLU's recruiter search around conversational AI, replacing 15+ filters. As Head of Product Design, I led the work. User sessions rose 70%.
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Spencer Stuart
