Design Thinking Action Lab - Assignment 3 - Prototype and test

1. Develop an app that students can use to
find information on professions and
applying for a job.
Prototype and test
Assignment 3
Kerry Maton
Students who are
unsure of what they
want to do when they
leave school
need ways to
Access guidance,
information and
support on applying
for jobs, and on
different work choices
so they can make a
good decision about
the type of work they
may enjoy and also be
successful in obtaining
a job they want
because
Students do not have
the experience or
access to support
mechanisms to help
them make an
informed decision and
action that decision.

2. Problem statement
Students who are unsure of what they want to do when they leave school need ways to access
guidance, information and support on applying for jobs, and on different work choices so they
can make a good decision about the type of work they may enjoy and also be successful in
obtaining a job they want because students do not have the experience or access to support
mechanisms to help them make an informed decision and action that decision
Idea
Develop an app that could be downloaded to any electronic device that students, parents and
teachers could use to find information on professions and applying for a job. It would include
pertinent information on a large variety of professions including work duties and expectations,
locations, education requirements, pay ranges, etc. Also would include support information on
applying for jobs – job applications, writing a resume, what to expect at an interview and what
would be required from the candidate. The information would be aimed at school leavers and
would be useful and practical.
Prototype
I used an interactive online document with hyperlinks - please refer to Pages 3-16
Test method
I asked my stakeholder (same person who was interviewed) to trial the prototype and
documented their feedback – refer to page 17
PROTOTYPE AND TEST

3. Click on the
app to open
SCHOOL
LEAVER
JOB
HELPER
APP
School
Leaver
Job Helper

4. Click on a
selection for
more
information
INDEX
A-Z of jobs
Create a resume
How to look for a job
How to apply for a job by
phone
How to apply for a job in
writing
Prepare for an interview

5. Click on the
“Childcare
worker” job for
more
information the
job
A–Z OF
JOBS
A-Z of jobs
Accountant
Actor
Actuary
Agricultural and food scientist
Anthropologist
Architect
Artist
Automotive mechanic
Bookkeeping clerk
Budget analyst
Carpenter
Chemist
Childcare worker
Civil engineer
Coach
Computer hardware engineer
Computer support specialist
Customer Service Officer
Cost estimator
Court reporter
Homepage

6. Find
information on
the job
Click to watch
video
A JOB
Childcare worker
Description of work duties
………………………………………………………..
Work environment
………………………………………………………..
Hours of work
………………………………………………………..
Location of jobs
………………………………………………………..
Education requirements
………………………………………………………..
Career path
………………………………………………………..
Pay
………………………………………………………..
How to become a childcare worker
………………………………………………………..
Watch “A day in the life of a childcare worker”
Homepage

7. Access
information on
creating a
CREATE
RESUME
Create a resume
Your resume outlines information about
you and your skills, knowledge, experience
and interests.
Things to include in your resume
• Your name
• Contact details – address, phone
numbers, email address
• Education history
• Employment history
• Referees contact details
• Your career objective
• Skills, eg. computer skills
• Hobbies and interests
• Special achievements
Resume example
TIP – Double check your resume – ask a
parent or friend to check it for you
Homepage

8. Access a basic
resume
example for a
high school
student
RESUME
EXAMPLE
Resume example
FirstName LastName
Address
Contact phone number
Email address
Education Penrith High School, Penrith, NSW 2009 –
2012
Experience
Customer Service / Checkout Operator, Coles 2010 –
Present
Provide service to customers after school and during
school holidays
Achievements
• School captain 2012
• Youth basketball referee of the year, Penrith
Basketball Association
Volunteer Experience
• Basketball coach
Interests / Activities
• Basketball
• Photography
Computer Skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint,
and Internet
Homepage

9. Access
information on
where to find
job vacancies
HOW TO
LOOK FOR
A JOB
How to look for a job
You can find advertised job vacancies via
• Newspapers
• Online job boards
• Company websites
• Shop windows
• Community notice boards
Homepage

10. Access
information on
how to apply
for a job by
phone
HOW TO
APPLY FOR
A JOB – BY
PHONE
How to apply for
a job by phone
Prepare for the phone call.
Tips …..
Have your resume with you so you can answer
questions about your experience & also provide
referee details
Speak clearly – say your name and let them know
what you want …….
…..Hi, my name is …… and I would like to apply
for the ….. Job that was advertised ……
Be prepared for an answering machine & rehearse
what message you will leave – remember to speak
clearly and leave your name and contact number.
Access this checklist to help you prepare.
Homepage

11. Access a
checklist to
help you
prepare for
applying for a
job over the
phone
HOW TO
APPLY FOR
A JOB – BY
PHONE
Checklist
Applying for a job by phone
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Homepage

12. Access
information on
creating a
resume and see
an example of
a resume
HOW TO
APPLY FOR
A JOB - IN
WRITING
How to apply for
a job in writing
You can respond to an advertised role in writing
and you can also write to an employer enquiring
about any jobs that are available or may become
available.
• Use this checklist to assist you in applying for a
job in writing.
• Access an example of an application letter for
an advertised job.
Homepage

13. Access a
checklist to
help you apply
for a job in
writing
HOW TO
APPLY FOR
A JOB – IN
WRITING
Checklist
Applying for a job in writing
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Homepage

14. Access an
example job
application
letter
HOW TO
APPLY FOR A
JOB – IN
WRITING
Example job application letter
Ms A Cannon
12 Viccan Avenue
GISLING NSW 2998
Mobile: 0400 000 000
Email: Acan@xmail.com
15 June 2012
Mr M Bee
HR Manager
Xet Limited
PO Box 55
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Dear Mr Bee
I am very interested in the position of ………..
Advertised in the Gosling Press on 13 June 2012.
II have a range of administrative skiils and experience
to match the position advertised, including ……….
I am confident that I would be able to perform all duties
required in the role.
Enclosed is my resume for your review. I look forward
to meeting with you to discuss this position further.
Yours sincerely,
Homepage

15. Access
information
and tips on
preparing for
and attending
an interview
PREPARE FOR
AN
INTERVIEW
Preparing for and attending
job interviews
Preparing for the job interview
 Learn as much as you can about the company
and what it does – visit it’s website for
information
 Prepare for interview questions – practice with
someone
 What to wear
 Resume & documents
Attending the job interview
 Don’t be late
 Make eye contact
 Listen
 Be friendly and smile
 Give short answers – don’t waffle
Access a list of a range of interview questions that
may be asked that you can practice with.
Homepage

16. Access sample
interview
questions
PREPARE FOR
AN
INTERVIEW
Sample interview questions
 Why do you want to work here?
 What are your career goals?
 Why do you think you are suited to this role?
 What are your strengths?
 What are your weaknesses?
 Can you tell my about a difficult situation you
have been in and what did you do?
 What are your interests outside of work?
Homepage

17. TESTING AND STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACK
What worked
• Simple, easy format to follow
• Click through links
• Provides essential information about
finding and applying for jobs
• Good tools – resume/job application
checklist & sample
What could be improved
• Provide links to job websites in “how to
look for a job” such as Seek, myCareer,
Spot jobs
• More information on different
interviewing models, eg. STAR model,
targeted questions in a Situation, Task,
Action, Result format
Questions
• How will students know about this app?
• Will schools provide it to them?
• How often will it be updated?
Ideas
• Have an entry level job link that brings
up jobs available (from job sites) that
are aimed towards school leavers
• On the job list separate jobs that need
an university degree / tafe certificate.