Application Guide

How to Apply for Staff User Experience Researcher

at Workiva

🏢 About Workiva

Workiva is a leading provider of cloud-based software for enterprises, with a strong focus on ESG reporting and compliance. They are committed to streamlining complex reporting processes for transparent climate impact, making them a mission-driven company with a clear purpose. Working here offers the opportunity to contribute to sustainability and corporate responsibility initiatives while being part of a innovative, remote-first team.

About This Role

As a Staff UX Researcher at Workiva, you will lead research efforts for a portfolio of product teams, driving evidence-based decision-making. You'll plan and execute qualitative and quantitative studies, mentor other researchers, and directly influence product strategy. This role is impactful as it ensures that Workiva's products are user-centric, addressing the real needs of customers in the ESG and compliance space.

💡 A Day in the Life

On a typical day, you might start by checking in with your research team to review ongoing studies and provide guidance. You could then conduct a stakeholder interview or analyze survey data, followed by a presentation of findings to product leaders. Afternoons might involve mentoring a junior researcher or collaborating with designers to translate insights into prototypes, all while working remotely with a focus on ESG product lines.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Workiva Is Looking For

  • Proven experience (typically 7+ years) in UX research, with a track record of leading research programs for complex B2B or SaaS products.
  • Expertise in a mix of research methods including in-depth interviews, usability testing, surveys, and quantitative analysis (e.g., statistical analysis, A/B testing).
  • Strong leadership and mentoring skills, with experience guiding other researchers and collaborating with product management and design leadership.
  • Excellent communication and storytelling skills to present insights compellingly to diverse stakeholders, including executives.
  • Familiarity with ESG reporting, sustainability, or compliance domains is a plus, but not required; a passion for learning about these areas is essential.

📝 Tips for Applying to Workiva

1

Tailor your resume to highlight leadership in research strategy, not just execution. Emphasize how you've influenced product decisions at scale.

2

Include a portfolio or case studies that showcase your research process, impact on product outcomes, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

3

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your experience to Workiva's mission of ESG reporting and transparent climate impact. Show enthusiasm for the domain.

4

Research Workiva's products (like Wdesk) and recent news about their ESG initiatives. Mention specific products or features in your application to show genuine interest.

5

Since the role is remote, highlight your experience working in distributed teams and your ability to manage research remotely using tools like Zoom, Miro, or Qualtrics.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Demonstrate your ability to lead research programs across multiple product teams, not just individual studies.', "Highlight your experience with both qualitative and quantitative methods, and how you've used data to drive product decisions.", "Showcase your mentoring skills and how you've helped grow other researchers or team members.", "Express your passion for sustainability and how you're excited to contribute to Workiva's mission of making ESG reporting more transparent and efficient."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore Workiva's website and product pages, especially Wdesk and their ESG solutions. Understand the user personas they serve (e.g., sustainability officers, CFOs).
  • → Read Workiva's latest sustainability report or press releases about their ESG initiatives to understand their corporate values.
  • → Check out Workiva's blog or newsroom for articles on user research or product development to gauge their approach to UX.
  • → Look up reviews on Glassdoor to get a sense of company culture and how research is valued.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you influenced product strategy through your research insights. What was the outcome?
2 How would you approach building a research roadmap for a new product area from scratch?
3 How do you balance speed and rigor in research? Provide an example.
4 How do you present research findings to non-research stakeholders, such as engineers or executives?
5 What experience do you have with remote research methods? How do you ensure participant engagement and data quality?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't focus only on your research methods; emphasize how you've driven business impact and influenced decision-making.
  • Avoid generic statements about your passion for UX without showing specific knowledge of Workiva's products or industry.
  • Don't underestimate the importance of leadership and mentoring; if you lack experience, highlight any informal mentoring or cross-functional leadership you've done.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Workiva!

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