How a Job Hunting App can be a New Form of Contemporary Digital Journalism: Debut Careers

Screenshot: Debut Careers homepage

Deciding, as a soon to be graduate myself that I would like to focus my blog on journalism and social media, I therefore spent a lot of time on my new ‘journalismy’ Twitter account to find new and interesting developments that pose as 'new found' journalism tools.

After much tweeting and exploring, I finally stumbled across Debut Careers,“The world’s first #graduate & #student #careers app.”

Screenshot: Debut Career's Twitter

The mobile app was only launched in October 2015, for both Android and Apple users and because it was such a new development of course I was eager to blog about it. In light of the growth of modern day digital journalism, Debut Career’s is described as a “pioneering mobile graduate attraction” that provides ‘on the go’ engagement in the most extensive digital generation. Users are able to access the app whilst out and about, so they not confined to the limits of their home or a computer available environment, perfect for us app obsessed students, who are never apart from our mobile devices. It’s extremely satisfying knowing that our hand held devices can be considered more than just a phone and our social media platforms can (finally) be put to good use.

Screenshot: Debut Careers

I really enjoyed exploring Debut Career’s lively and engaging Twitter account. They post regular updates on their app, showing users where to look for specific career information and generally letting their followers see what a hardworking and enthusiastic brand they are, which is what I think social media is all about; showing off your good side. They also retweet and post other material associated with their app that is beneficial for both current students and graduates.

Screenshot: Debut Career's Twitter

With much persuasion through Twitter connectivity, I decided to check out their website and download the app myself. I was really surprised at how aesthetically pleasing their website was and the content really caught my attention as it was short and sharp and didn’t mean that I had to scroll through lots of information in order to find out what the brand was all about - much like reading a headline, you want to be drawn in straight away. I particularly liked how they have used quotes from large corporations in order to attract users, as having a renowned company comment on the app makes it more reliable and worthwhile. Similar also to how a news story is constructed, pulling together quotations from a number of sources. The app can be depicted as a form of modern day persuasive journalism, as it is the ‘voice’ reaching out to the ears of the ‘listeners.’

Screenshot: Debut Career's quote

The website is very easy to navigate and offers additional features, such as the Debut Careers blog and any press that they have received.

The blog offers career related debates, general information and guidance, Over the past year blogging has been an important journalist development and has definitely made its mark on contemporary journalism. To read more on blogging and its threat to traditional journalism, read my post here, 
 Additionally, the press section shows recent articles that have featured Debut Careers. Pretty impressive that they have already appeared in prestige news outlets, such as The Telegraph, The Mirror and The Independent.

Much like the website the mobile app itself is stress-free to navigate, simplistic, but engaging in its content. To be ambiguous, this sounds comparable to a news story, whereby the article must be written in simplistic, understandable terms, but must also be attention-grabbing in its nature. 

Screenhot: Debut Careers app

The app allows users to create a personal profile, where by you are matched with suitable jobs (sounds all a little too familiar to online dating, but definitely more advantageous) and you can either investigate further into that job, or search for your own preferences. A lot like finding a news angle or news story. You gather a story, investigate it further and then finally report it, like applying for a job at the end of all your investigating. 

Screenshot: Debut Careers profile

Original picture: Debut Careers app

In relation to the rise in modern day and digital journalism, mobile apps for careers are a great way of connecting with future employers and bonding with your dream job. As adventurous as it may seem, this app holds many symbollic connotations to the act of journalism. From its content to its imagery, all elements stand under a similar umbrella and contemporary journalism allows as to see these hidden parallels with journalism's traditional roots.