The Lab
We build in public. Every feature starts as a hypothesis, gets tested with real users, and ships only when it works. Apply to test what's next — and help shape what ships.
How the Lab works
Hypothesize
We identify a real user problem and form a testable hypothesis.
Recruit & Test
Pioneer Testers apply, get early access, and help us iterate.
Measure
We track real outcomes — not vanity metrics, not vibes.
Ship or Kill
Works? Ships free to all members. Doesn't? We share what we learned.
On the Workbench
Active Experiments
Career Pivot Coach
Interactive Career Translation Engine
An interactive reframing tool in onboarding can move Career Pivoter conversion from 35% to 70%+ by guiding users through translating their existing experience into new-role language — before they ever build a resume.
Why this matters
Career pivoters are the highest-potential users but the most likely to bounce. They know they're qualified — they just can't articulate why in a new industry's language. The current system assumes you can self-reframe. This experiment tests whether guided translation changes everything.
What you'll do as a tester
- 1.Build your career profile using the standard onboarding flow
- 2.Use the experimental Pivot Coach to translate 3-5 key experiences into your target role's language
- 3.Run 2-3 pipeline campaigns using the reframed profile
- 4.Share before/after quality scores and your honest experience via a 10-min feedback session
What you get
- Full Shortlist access at Pioneer rate ($99 — locked in for life)
- Direct input on how the feature evolves
- Your name in the credits when it ships (optional)
- A career profile that actually speaks your target industry's language
$99 Pioneer rate · saves $198 vs. standard · 15 spots left
Seniority Scaler
Level-Aware Play Generation
Bold Plays that automatically scale sophistication based on career level (IC vs. Director vs. VP+) will increase play execution rates by 40% and improve interview conversion across all seniority bands.
Why this matters
A VP candidate gets the same Bold Plays as an individual contributor. That's a problem. Executive job searches operate in a completely different world — board-level language, P&L ownership framing, strategic vision narratives. This experiment tests whether level-aware intelligence changes the quality of plays and the rate at which people actually execute them.
What you'll do as a tester
- 1.Run pipeline campaigns at your seniority level (Director, VP, or C-suite)
- 2.Compare standard Bold Plays vs. level-adapted plays on 2-3 target companies
- 3.Execute at least one play from each version and report back on reception
- 4.15-min debrief call on what resonated vs. what felt off-pitch
What you get
- Full Shortlist access at Pioneer rate ($99 — locked in for life)
- First access to executive-adapted plays before general release
- Direct line to shape how the product serves senior candidates
Executive Interview Prep
VP+ Adaptation Layer
Detecting seniority and adapting interview prep to executive-round question types (board dynamics, P&L ownership, org design) will make the Interview Prep Coach viable for VP+ candidates who currently find it too junior.
Why this matters
The Interview Prep Coach is excellent for IC-to-Director candidates but doesn't speak the language of executive rounds. Board presentations, stakeholder management scenarios, and 'how would you restructure this org' questions require a different preparation model entirely.
What you'll do as a tester
- 1.Use the Interview Prep Coach for an active executive-level interview process
- 2.Test executive-adapted question sets, STAR story mapping, and closing frameworks
- 3.Provide real interview debrief data (anonymized) to help train the model
What you get
- Full Shortlist access at Pioneer rate
- Executive-specific interview preparation that doesn't exist anywhere else
- Priority access to the executive tier when it launches
Executive Tier Research
Premium Positioning Study
A premium tier ($497-$697) with identical product but white-glove onboarding, executive community access, and concierge support would increase conversion among VP+ candidates who currently see $149 as 'not serious enough.'
Why this matters
In beta testing, a VP-level persona flagged $149 as a credibility concern — 'serious tools for serious searches cost more.' The product is the same, but the packaging and positioning may need a premium wrapper to signal quality to executive buyers.
What you'll do as a tester
- 1.Participate in a 20-minute research interview about your job search buying behavior
- 2.Review 2-3 positioning concepts and give honest reactions
- 3.Optional: test the premium onboarding experience if it advances to build phase
What you get
- No product purchase required — this is a research study
- First access to the executive tier if it launches
- $50 Amazon gift card for completed research interview
Already a Shortlist member?
Every experiment that ships is included free for Founding 50 members. Forever.
Pioneer Pricing is for people who want to shape features before they launch — and lock in a lower rate if they're not yet members.
Follow the experiments
Get lab updates when experiments hit milestones, ship features, or reveal surprising results. No spam. Just signal.
Don't want to wait for experiments?
The core platform is live now. 8-step pipeline, Bold Plays, Company Intelligence, Interview Prep Coach, Mission Control — all included.
Get Shortlist — $149 founding rate →