Lead UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead UX Designer

Company: Condé Nast Germany

Location: London, GB

Job Type: Full time

Category: User Experience (UX) Research & Design

Date Posted: November 4, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead strategic customer research initiatives across Condé Nast's iconic portfolio of brands, including Vogue, GQ, and Condé Nast Traveller, to inform product direction and enhance audience experiences.

• Drive the research agenda by prioritizing decisions where customer understanding is most critical, utilizing a blend of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies throughout the product lifecycle.

• Foster cross-functional collaboration and influence by translating complex research findings into clear, actionable narratives that build alignment among Product, Design, Engineering, and Editorial teams.

• Advance innovation in UX research practices by piloting emerging methods, AI-enabled workflows, and exploring the impact of AI on content discovery and engagement.

• Scale customer understanding across the organization by developing self-serve tools, playbooks, and standards, making customer intelligence accessible and reusable for tactical decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Lead UX Designer" in the title, but the description clearly outlines responsibilities of a "Lead UX Researcher." The enhancements will reflect the researcher responsibilities as detailed in the description, assuming a potential title discrepancy or a role that bridges design strategy with deep research leadership. The emphasis on AI-native approaches and scaling insights suggests a senior role focused on strategic impact and team enablement.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own and execute the research agenda for a portfolio of high-profile brands, ensuring alignment with key business objectives and product roadmap priorities.

• Design and conduct comprehensive qualitative and quantitative research studies across the entire product lifecycle, from discovery to ongoing optimization, ensuring rigorous methodology, inclusion, and actionable outcomes.

• Synthesize complex research data and analytics into compelling narratives and clear recommendations that directly influence product strategy, roadmap prioritization, and design decisions.

• Serve as the primary research partner to Design and Product leadership within the brand portfolio, providing critical customer insights to inform strategic decision-making.

• Collaborate closely with Editorial, Engineering, and Brand Leadership to embed customer evidence into decision-making processes at all stages, fostering a shared understanding of user needs and market opportunities.

• Pilot and integrate emerging research methods, AI-enabled workflows, and AI-driven insights into the team's practice, focusing on improving research quality, speed, and impact.

• Develop and implement scalable solutions for customer understanding, including shared repositories, AI-assisted tools, and knowledge distribution programs, to make insights accessible and reusable across the organization.

• Mentor and coach junior researchers and cross-functional colleagues, building research confidence and AI fluency through practical guidance, workshops, and shared learning initiatives.

• Contribute to the strategic evolution of UX Research at Condé Nast by identifying opportunities for innovation, experimentation, and the adoption of new technologies and methodologies.

• Champion a customer-centric approach throughout the organization, ensuring that audience needs, editorial ambitions, and business goals are holistically considered in product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities emphasize strategic ownership, advanced research methodologies, cross-functional influence, and a forward-looking approach to research practice, particularly concerning AI integration. This indicates a senior-level role focused on driving impact through deep user understanding and enabling broader organizational capability.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong foundation in User Experience Research, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related field is typically expected for this level of role.

Experience: 7+ years of applied research experience with a proven track record of shaping product and experience decisions through impactful research. Experience leading complex research initiatives independently and adapting methodologies across diverse teams is crucial.

Required Skills:

• UX Research Expertise: Deep mastery of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies (e.g., user interviews, usability testing, surveys, A/B testing, diary studies, card sorting) and the ability to select appropriate methods based on research questions, risk, and available resources.

• Strategic Insight Generation: Proven ability to synthesize complex research findings and quantitative data into clear, compelling narratives and actionable recommendations that directly influence product strategy and roadmap prioritization.

• Stakeholder Management & Influence: Exceptional communication and storytelling skills to effectively influence Product, Design, Engineering, Editorial, and senior leadership stakeholders, building alignment and driving consensus.

• Mentorship & Coaching: Demonstrated experience mentoring junior researchers and coaching colleagues across disciplines on effective research practices and the application of customer insights.

• AI-Native Mindset & Application: Practical knowledge and hands-on experience with AI-assisted workflows, research platforms, repositories, and tools, including an understanding of their capabilities, limitations, and appropriate use cases for enhancing research efficiency and impact.

• Product Lifecycle Management: Experience conducting research across the entire product lifecycle, from early-stage discovery and ideation through to iterative development and post-launch optimization.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven ability to partner effectively with diverse teams, including Product Management, Design, Engineering, and Editorial, to integrate research seamlessly into product development processes.

• Problem-Solving & Ambiguity Tolerance: Comfort working in ambiguous environments, asking critical questions, challenging assumptions, and taking initiative to drive learning and action.

Preferred Skills:

• Media & Publishing Industry Experience: Research experience within media, publishing, subscription products, or other content-led digital experiences.

• Global/Multi-market Research: Experience conducting research in global or multi-market contexts and collaborating effectively with distributed teams.

• Research Operations & Enablement: Experience developing research assistants, experimenting with emerging methods, or creating programs to make research knowledge more accessible and actionable across an organization.

• AI Research Exploration: Experience specifically exploring how AI impacts content discovery, user engagement, or leveraging AI for generative research insights.

• Data Analysis & Synthesis Tools: Proficiency with advanced data analysis and synthesis tools beyond standard qualitative platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements highlight a blend of deep research craft, strategic influence, leadership, and a proactive stance on adopting new technologies like AI. The "About you" section further emphasizes qualities like customer obsession, curiosity, initiative, and a passion for cultural brands, which are critical for success in this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Impactful Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end research projects from problem definition to actionable recommendations and their impact on product direction or user experience.

• Methodological Diversity: Illustrate a breadth of research methodologies employed, clearly explaining the rationale for method selection in each case.

• Synthesis & Storytelling: Present evidence of strong synthesis skills, translating raw data into clear, compelling narratives that influenced key decisions.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Highlight instances where research insights successfully drove alignment and action across Product, Design, Engineering, or Editorial teams.

• AI Integration Examples: If possible, include examples or discussions of how AI tools or concepts were integrated into research processes or how AI's impact on user behavior was explored.

Process Documentation:

• Research Design & Planning: Demonstrate ability to define research objectives, scope, target audiences, and appropriate methodologies for complex product challenges.

• Insight Synthesis & Reporting: Provide examples of how complex qualitative and quantitative data were synthesized into concise, actionable insights and presented effectively to diverse stakeholders.

• Impact Measurement: Showcase how research outcomes were tracked and measured for their influence on product improvements, user satisfaction, or business metrics.

• Scalability & Enablement: Illustrate experience in creating reusable research assets, playbooks, or guidance that enabled broader team adoption or self-serve research capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on scaling understanding and advancing research practice, a portfolio should not only showcase individual research impact but also demonstrate the candidate's ability to operationalize research, mentor others, and integrate new technologies like AI into scalable workflows.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Lead UX Researcher in London with 7+ years of experience in a major media company, the estimated salary range is £70,000 - £95,000 per annum. This range accounts for the seniority of the role, the strategic impact expected, and the cost of living in London.

Benefits:

• Generous Paid Time Off: 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, with additional days for moving house or volunteering.

• Health & Wellness: Access to Bupa Private Healthcare, eye tests, corporate gym membership, and an Employee Assistance Programme for comprehensive well-being support.

• Financial Security: Competitive pension scheme and season ticket loans for commuting.

• Flexible Work Options: Core working hours, with 10 remote days available per year (from home or a Condé Nast office location), supporting a hybrid work model.

• Commuter & Lifestyle: Cycle to work scheme and employee discounts on Condé Nast magazine subscriptions.

• Professional Development: Access to the Condé Nast Learning Hub for extensive personal and professional growth courses and training, available in local languages.

• Community & Inclusion: Participation in Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to foster community and shared objectives.

• Office Perks: Dog-friendly office environment.

Working Hours: Typically 40 hours per week, with core hours to facilitate collaboration and flexibility. The hybrid model allows for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on typical Lead UX Researcher compensation in London, considering the specified experience level and the high-profile nature of Condé Nast. The benefits package is comprehensive, highlighting a strong commitment to employee well-being, professional development, and work-life balance, with specific provisions for hybrid work and learning opportunities.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Global Media Publishing, with a significant digital footprint and a focus on iconic cultural brands. Condé Nast operates at the intersection of content creation, audience engagement, and digital product development.

Company Size: Large enterprise (over 10,000 employees globally), with a significant presence in the media and technology sectors. This size implies a structured environment with opportunities for broad impact and cross-functional collaboration, as well as potential for navigating complex organizational dynamics.

Founded: Condé Nast has a long and rich history, founded in 1909, which speaks to its enduring influence and adaptability in the media landscape. This legacy provides a strong foundation for innovation and a deep understanding of evolving audience behaviors.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research team operates within the broader Condé Nast Technology organization, which focuses on building next-generation publishing and consumption experiences.

• The team is experienced in various design disciplines, including visual design, interaction design, content design, and UX research.

• This role reports to the UX Research Director and collaborates closely with Design and Product leadership within specific brand portfolios.

• Strong partnerships are expected with Editorial, Engineering, and Brand Leadership teams, indicating a highly collaborative and integrated approach to product development. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A core tenet, leveraging customer evidence and analytics to inform product direction and strategy.

• User-Centric Design: Emphasis on understanding audiences, contributors, and the competitive landscape to create user-centric products.

• Agile & Iterative Development: Implied by the product lifecycle responsibilities, suggesting a focus on continuous improvement and responsiveness to user feedback.

• Innovation & Experimentation: A stated commitment to exploring new methods, AI-native approaches, and emerging technologies to enhance research and product development.

Company Website: https://www.condenast.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Condé Nast's culture is characterized by a passion for iconic brands, a commitment to quality content, and an increasing focus on digital innovation and user experience. The technology organization plays a critical role in empowering these brands, making this UX Research role pivotal in understanding and shaping audience engagement in a competitive media landscape. The company's global reach and diverse portfolio offer unique challenges and opportunities for research.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, functioning as a "Lead" within the UX Research team. It carries significant strategic responsibility, requiring independent leadership, complex problem-solving, and the ability to influence product direction at a portfolio level. It is a key individual contributor role with leadership and mentorship expectations.

Reporting Structure: The Lead UX Researcher reports directly to the UX Research Director. This structure provides mentorship and guidance while allowing for significant autonomy in managing research agendas for assigned brand portfolios. Collaboration extends to Product, Design, Engineering, and Editorial leadership across these brands.

Operations Impact: The core impact of this role is to ensure that product and experience decisions are grounded in deep customer understanding. By translating insights into actionable recommendations, the Lead UX Researcher directly influences the prioritization, design, and success of digital products for Condé Nast's influential brands, ultimately shaping audience engagement and contributing to business objectives like subscription growth and ad revenue.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunity to deepen leadership skills through mentorship, strategic planning, and influencing senior stakeholders. Potential to grow into a Senior Lead or Managerial role within UX Research.

• AI & Emerging Methods Specialization: Significant opportunities to become a subject matter expert in AI-native research approaches, piloting new technologies and shaping the future of UX research at Condé Nast.

• Cross-Brand & Cross-Functional Exposure: Exposure to diverse brands (Vogue, GQ, etc.) and close collaboration with various departments (Editorial, Product, Engineering) provides broad business acumen and diverse problem-solving experience.

• Research Operations & Enablement: Potential to contribute to building and scaling research capabilities organization-wide, developing tools, playbooks, and training programs.

• Industry Influence: By pioneering innovative research practices, there's an opportunity to contribute to the broader UX research community, particularly in media and AI applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career advancement within UX Research leadership, with a strong emphasis on strategic impact, innovation, and organizational enablement. The focus on AI and scaling research capabilities positions the candidate for future-proofing their career in a rapidly evolving field.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in London, GB, at The Adelphi. Condé Nast operates a hybrid work model, requiring employees to be in the office four days a week (Monday - Thursday). This fosters a collaborative in-office environment while allowing for some flexibility.

Office Location(s): The primary office location mentioned is London, GB. Condé Nast has a global presence, and the role may involve collaboration with distributed teams.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and emphasis on cross-functional partnerships suggest a dynamic workspace designed for collaboration, ideation, and team synergy during in-office days.

• Technology & Tools: Access to modern research platforms, AI-assisted workflows, and other necessary technologies to conduct cutting-edge UX research.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with UX researchers, designers, product managers, engineers, and editorial teams, facilitating knowledge sharing and problem-solving.

• Culture of Innovation: The environment encourages experimentation with new methods and technologies, particularly AI, supporting a forward-thinking approach to research.

Work Schedule: Standard working hours, likely around 40 hours per week, with core hours to facilitate team synchronization. The hybrid nature offers a degree of flexibility in managing personal time around in-office requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work arrangement is a key aspect of the work environment, balancing the benefits of in-person collaboration essential for strategic alignment and team cohesion with the flexibility of remote work. The London office location places the role within a vibrant media and technology hub.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Screening: Initial review of resumes and portfolios for alignment with required experience and skills.

• Initial Interview: Likely with a UX Research Director or Hiring Manager to assess overall fit, experience, and understanding of core UX research principles and strategic impact.

• Portfolio Presentation & Case Study Review: A critical stage where candidates present detailed case studies from their portfolio, demonstrating their research process, synthesis skills, influence, and impact. This may include a specific problem-solving exercise or a deep dive into a past project.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from Product, Design, Engineering, and potentially Editorial to assess collaboration, communication, and ability to influence diverse teams.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss strategic vision, leadership potential, and overall cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the business or product impact of your research. Quantify results where possible (e.g., "informed roadmap leading to X% increase in engagement").

• Showcase Strategic Thinking: Demonstrate how you identified key research questions, aligned them with business goals, and translated insights into strategic recommendations.

• Highlight Collaboration: Provide examples of how you worked with cross-functional teams, managed differing opinions, and built consensus around user needs.

• Demonstrate AI Fluency: If possible, include examples of how you've experimented with or applied AI tools in your research process, or how you've analyzed AI's impact on users.

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies as compelling narratives with a clear problem, your approach, key findings, recommendations, and the resulting impact.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your methodology, decision-making process, handling of challenging stakeholders, and how you scale research impact.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Research Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would approach research for a specific Condé Nast brand or product challenge, or how you would tackle a hypothetical ambiguity.

• AI Integration Discussion: Prepare to discuss your thoughts on how AI is changing UX research, potential ethical considerations, and how you would leverage AI tools responsibly.

• Stakeholder Alignment Scenarios: Practice articulating how you would gain buy-in for research initiatives or present difficult findings to senior leadership.

• Mentorship Examples: Be ready to share specific examples of how you have mentored or coached others in research practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only research craft but also strategic influence, leadership potential, and the ability to drive organizational change. A strong portfolio that clearly articulates impact and demonstrates AI fluency will be paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Qualitative Research Platforms: Tools for conducting and analyzing user interviews, usability tests, and diary studies (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Dovetail).

• Quantitative Research Tools: Survey platforms (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, Google Forms), A/B testing tools (e.g., Optimizely, Google Optimize), and analytics platforms.

• Collaboration & Whiteboarding: Tools like Miro, Mural, or Figma for collaborative brainstorming, journey mapping, and affinity diagramming.

• AI-Assisted Research Tools: Platforms or plugins that leverage AI for tasks such as transcription analysis, sentiment analysis, thematic coding, or generating research hypotheses.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics for understanding user behavior on digital platforms.

• Product Analytics: Tools like Amplitude or Mixpanel for in-depth product usage analysis.

• Data Visualization Tools: Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for creating dashboards and communicating complex data insights to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user data is managed within CRM systems (like Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms (like Marketo) can provide context for user segmentation and journey mapping.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes tools that support rigorous qualitative and quantitative research, collaborative synthesis, and data analysis. A key focus will be on the practical application and ethical considerations of AI-enabled research tools, reflecting the company's forward-looking approach.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Obsession: A deep-seated curiosity about people and a relentless drive to improve their experiences, forming the foundation of all research efforts.

• Curiosity & Inquiry: A proactive approach to asking insightful questions, challenging assumptions, and seeking out new understanding.

• Impact & Ownership: Taking initiative, moving fast, and staying focused on delivering tangible outcomes, seeing research projects through from start to finish.

• Innovation & Experimentation: An AI-native mindset that embraces experimentation, applies sound judgment, and shares learnings, particularly in the context of emerging technologies.

• Collaboration & Growth: Reaching beyond individual roles, building new skills, and working across disciplines to contribute to team and organizational success.

• Cultural Brand Appreciation: A genuine interest in cultural brands and the ability to balance audience needs, editorial ambitions, and business goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Seamless partnership with Product, Design, Engineering, and Editorial teams, embedding research insights into daily workflows.

• Evidence-Based Influence: Utilizing customer evidence as a primary tool for building alignment and influencing decisions across departments.

• Knowledge Sharing Culture: Actively contributing to shared repositories, participating in workshops, and mentoring colleagues to democratize customer understanding.

• Agile & Responsive: Adapting research approaches and sharing insights swiftly to support iterative product development cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture values a blend of deep user empathy, intellectual rigor, and a proactive, collaborative spirit. The emphasis on AI and innovation suggests a team that is not only focused on current best practices but also on shaping the future of UX research within the media industry.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Distinctiveness with Portfolio Consistency: Researching for multiple iconic brands, each with unique audiences and editorial visions, requires adapting methodologies and insights while maintaining overarching strategic alignment.

• Pace of Media & Digital Evolution: The media landscape and digital consumption habits are constantly shifting, requiring researchers to stay ahead of trends and anticipate future user needs, especially with the rapid advancement of AI.

• Integrating AI Responsibly: Navigating the ethical considerations and practical application of AI in research to enhance efficiency and insight without compromising rigor or user trust.

• Scaling Insights Across a Large Organization: Ensuring that customer understanding is effectively disseminated and utilized by diverse teams across a global company with varying levels of research maturity.

• Influencing Senior Stakeholders: Effectively translating complex research findings into compelling narratives that resonate with and influence senior leadership and executive decision-makers.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Research Leadership: Become a pioneer in applying AI to UX research, developing new methodologies and best practices for Condé Nast and potentially the wider industry.

• Strategic Product Influence: Deepen expertise in shaping product strategy and roadmaps for world-renowned media brands, gaining significant business acumen.

• Mentorship & Team Development: Grow leadership capabilities by mentoring researchers and upskilling cross-functional teams in customer-centric practices and research techniques.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain exposure to editorial processes, product management strategies, and engineering challenges within a leading media conglomerate.

• Global Research Exposure: Opportunities to work on research initiatives with global implications, understanding diverse cultural nuances in content consumption.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior role within a large, dynamic media company, particularly concerning the integration of emerging technologies like AI. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a path to specialized expertise, leadership, and significant strategic impact.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting stakeholder priorities regarding research findings. How did you navigate this and achieve alignment?" (Assesses stakeholder management, influence, and negotiation skills.)

• "How would you approach understanding the evolving content consumption habits of Gen Z for a brand like Vogue, considering the impact of AI-driven platforms?" (Tests strategic thinking, adaptation to trends, and AI awareness.)

• "Walk us through a complex research project where you had to choose between multiple research methods. What was your rationale, and what was the outcome?" (Evaluates methodological expertise and decision-making.)

• "How do you ensure your research findings are actionable and lead to tangible product improvements, especially in a fast-paced media environment?" (Focuses on impact and practical application.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Condé Nast's brands and our mission to empower them through technology?" (Gauges cultural fit and genuine interest.)

• "How do you see AI transforming the role of a UX Researcher in the media industry over the next 3-5 years?" (Assesses forward-thinking and AI perspective.)

• "Describe your experience mentoring junior researchers or colleagues. What is your philosophy on building research capability within a team?" (Explores leadership and enablement skills.)

• "How do you balance the need for in-depth research with the demands for rapid iteration and decision-making in a digital product environment?" (Probes adaptability and process optimization.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with a concise executive summary of the project's goal, your role, key findings, and impact. Then, dive into the methodology, process, and specific insights.

• Highlight Your Contribution: Clearly articulate your specific responsibilities and decisions made throughout the project.

• Showcase Synthesis: Demonstrate how you moved from raw data to synthesized themes and actionable recommendations. Use visuals where appropriate (e.g., quotes, journey maps, affinity diagrams).

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, link your research to measurable outcomes or decisions made.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Prepare to answer detailed questions about your methodology, participant selection, data analysis, and how you handled unexpected findings.

• Practice AI Integration: If you have AI-related examples, be prepared to explain your approach, the tools used, and the outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership in research, cross-functional collaboration, and a forward-looking perspective on AI's role in UX research, all tailored to the context of Condé Nast's iconic brands and digital ambitions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead UX Designer (Researcher) position:

• Submit your application through the Condé Nast careers portal. Ensure your resume highlights your 7+ years of applied research experience, qualitative and quantitative expertise, and any experience with AI-assisted workflows.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 impactful case studies that best showcase your strategic research leadership, ability to influence product direction, cross-functional collaboration, and ideally, any experience with AI integration or research scaling.

• Tailor Your Resume: Emphasize keywords relevant to UX Research, product strategy, stakeholder management, AI-native approaches, and mentorship. Quantify achievements whenever possible.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on clear storytelling, demonstrating impact, and articulating your strategic decision-making process. Be ready to discuss your approach to balancing brand distinctiveness with portfolio-wide research needs.

• Research Condé Nast: Familiarize yourself with Condé Nast's brands, their digital presence, and recent product developments. Understand their commitment to technology and user experience, and prepare to discuss how your skills align with their mission.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. While efforts have been made to reflect the role accurately, the title "Lead UX Designer" may encompass a broader scope than detailed here, or there might be a specific nuance in how Condé Nast defines this role. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.