The Human Resource Services (HRS) website is an important part of NIU’s web presence. It plays a vital role in many processes and procedures and can help set the tone for an employee’s experience with the university. It also contains a range of information and guidance for multiple audiences, both on and off campus.
We recently made some changes to the HRS website to make it easier to navigate. These changes are the result of over a year of work informed by feedback from employees across campus.
Audience-based Navigation
A main difference between the old and new sites is the overall structure. The new site is structured based on audience, which allows for a more guided user experience. The needs and goals of someone looking for a job are different than those of a hiring manager, for example. Different audiences also have varying levels of knowledge of NIU policies and procedures, making it helpful to customize and present information to them as separate groups.
The shift to an audience-based structure is reflected in the new site’s top navigation, which is the horizontal list of site topics under the NIU logo. On mobile, you can see the top navigation by selecting the menu icon. The redesigned site is organized into sections for job seekers, new employees, current employees, retirees, and people who hire and manage employees. When a user selects the top navigation item that aligns with their needs, they’re taken to a landing page that provides an overview of relevant information and areas.
By providing customized starting points for different audiences, we aim to make it easier for users to find the information they need.
Simplified and Combined Content
Another goal of the HRS website redesign was to incorporate content that previously appeared on separate websites. For example, the Manager Toolkit used to be its own website with its own structure and top navigation. Now, content for this audience is part of redesigned site under Hire and Manage in the top navigation. Similarly, content for new employees used to be on a separate Employee Welcome site, while now it’s included in the HRS site and accessible from the top navigation.
Incorporating related content on the HRS site enables users to find desired information more quickly, with fewer steps.
Additional Changes
Other changes you’ll notice on the redesigned HRS website include:
- The homepage has a more streamlined appearance while maintaining a welcoming look and feel.
- Contacts for and descriptions of the different HRS areas are incorporated into the Staff Directory and Service Areas pages under About (instead of being in the Manager Toolkit).
- Content related to Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity has a simplified presentation (infused into information for people who hire and manage instead of on a separate site).
An On-going Process
We understand that it will take time and effort to adjust to the redesigned site. You might need to update a bookmarked webpage or change the way you get to certain information, for example. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the new site when you’re able, so you’ll be prepared when you need to use it to complete a task.
We want this important website to be effective for the entire NIU community. We’ll be monitoring site usage and evaluating adjustments as issues become apparent. Thank you for your patience during this time. If you have any feedback about the redesigned HRS website, please contact Holly Nicholson, assistant director of web communications, at hnicholson@niu.edu.
