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I'm designing an application experience and looking for the best UX practices. Here's the scenario:

  1. User submits the form and gets their results immediately on the next screen + emailed to them. Results do not change for 1 month, users are informed of that.
  2. In a week, the same user is back using the form. They either forgot that they submitted it earlier or are trying to "cheat the system" and get a different result. When they submit, they get the same results they saw the first time they submitted.

The application is made up of three parts: Landing page, Form, and Results page.

My question: at what point do I remind the user that they have used this tool recently and results will not change for a full month from the first application?

  • do I block the user from submitting the form.
  • do I display a reminder message on the results page saying something along the lines of "you submitted earlier, try again on x date for different results".
  • do nothing and just display the same results as the first time.
  • Give users a retrieve button on the landing page where they can add their email.

Thanks!

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  • Do you want your users to try again each month? Or is it more like if they come back after a month, they can try again, but you don't really want to advertise that?
    – Izquierdo
    Jul 12, 2022 at 15:44
  • the second case, not really advertising it, it's just open for them to try again.
    – Zdesign
    Jul 12, 2022 at 17:23

2 Answers 2

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If the user has already filled out the form, visiting the site a second time doesn't require them to view the form again. A message on the main page thanking them very much for the new visit would suffice with a "very small bottom text" clarifying the reasons why the form is not active/visible at that moment and probably a countdown.

With this simple action, you avoid: blocking the user, something with always negative results towards the site, displaying a reminder message with explanations, or adding an extra function to the page.

In any case, a viewer of the delivered form or/and a download button in any visible file format

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  • This. But I think you could also show the data for the already submitted form in case it's necessary to remind the user
    – Devin
    Jul 12, 2022 at 15:40
  • The count-down?
    – Danielillo
    Jul 12, 2022 at 15:41
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    No, I mean whichever data the user submitted at first, only that instead of a form, just showing the plain data. Like "On July 11, 2022 you submitted this......., please wait until August 11 to resubmit". Just an idea
    – Devin
    Jul 12, 2022 at 15:45
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Be friendly and let the user know that they're done, and what they can do next, without placing blame. If they came back in error, they're receiving a friendly reminder.

Empty state with graphic, your application was received message, instructions on what to do.

If they're trying to game the system, they're still not able to proceed, and you're still being polite. If you want to be really nice, you could add a "Remind me" link and send them an email (or a calendar invitation) on the date the job opens to them again, but you've stated that it's not important to help the user try again. A reminder might prompt them to apply for a job that's a better fit at your company, or share with a friend - just some things to consider.

You can also use a dashboard to help applicants keep track of their statuses, like Submittable does here, which can cut down on people applying in error.

Submittable dashboard

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