The Platform
You have the skills, now we will help you get the job. A large portion of the job search involves face-to-face interaction through networking and the interview process. This is where JobConfident comes in. Our app equips job-seekers with the confidence they need to excel at high stakes social situations and helps them get the job that they deserve.
First, users will set up their account and fill out information on their educational background, skills, and preferred career trajectory. Next, they can create a profile with their resume and photo to be viewed by others in their industry. Users “fill up their virtual briefcase” by completing segments of their training and improving on necessary social skills. Each item in the briefcase develops as the user progresses.
The developmental process begins with users practicing their personal stories. The app includes a peer edit feature where users can receive feedback on their “elevator pitches” and comment on others’ to get a feel for what works and what does not. Users will then repeat their pitches to a virtual trainer who will provide feedback until their presentation is refined.
Since professionals want to see that applicants are familiar and up-to-date with the industry, the next portions provides users with industry-specific information followed by a quiz to solidify the essential facts.
Next, users will learn basic do’s and don’t’s for interviews in their fields and get a feel for the style of these social interactions. This portion will teach users when to follow-up and how to initiate contact at an event or through an online database. These helpful tips for behavior and self presentation will be followed by a brief quiz.
The mini game, “Dress for Success,” will act as a built-in break as well as practice for choosing what to wear for a professional event. Users will pick out an outfit from an extensive wardrobe and then receive an evaluation based on appropriateness.
After learning the basics, users will progress to practicing a mock interview with a virtual partner. They will be able to take as many mock interviews as they need and receive feedback on what to improve for next time.
Once users feel confident with their responses and presentation with a virtual assistant, users will move to human-to-human practice. Through video chat, users will connect with others to practice the interview process from both ends. Following each interview, users will evaluate each other and give suggestions for improvement. This step allows job-seekers to practice performing in front of another person as many times as they feel necessary. The app will provide a scheduling tool where users can plan interviews with others in related fields or connect to random available participants for a different experience.
The second mini game is “Traffic Buster” which simulates the struggles of getting to an interview on time and reminds users to plan ahead.
After the user decides that their training is complete, they will undergo an interview with a professional in their field. This opportunity will act as the last rehearsal for their actual interview with a similar amount of pressure. The interview conductor will benefit by getting to practice their interviewing skills as well as be connected with viable applicants whom they can reach out to if all goes well.
Psychology
Fortunately, we are dealing with a goal that most users are naturally highly motivated to achieve: getting hired. Therefore, our model for sustained learning based primarily on incentive. Walking away with solid interview skills and tangible connections with industry experts are definitely strong selling points. In terms of combating the low retention rate, we opted for a model that slowly turns the dial up on “ability,” according to Fogg’s Behavioral Model. At the start, there is a very low threshold to entry and as the user experience continues one does not perceive a enormous uptick in effort required. The first four steps ease user’s into the process by pairing them with a friendly virtual assistant. The learning modules and quizzes in these steps can be completed at the user’s convenience. At step five, the user is paired with a human advisor and deadlines for face-to-face video-chatting are set. We’re also catering to dual desires here because “casual users” looking for a quick refresher can complete the first four models and stop, whereas more serious users can proceed to real human interviews.
Additional Applications
We think JobConfident’s platform is really conducive to modularity. Professionals in different industries would be able to produce content that could easily be inserted JobConfident. Our use case demonstrates Brad, learning about marketing. However, we are imaging modules for a host of fields: finance, consulting, engineering, user interaction design, etc. Additionally, although it may require some rebranding, we think this model could be really effective for people undergoing college and graduate school interview processes.
