Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Graduate’s CV app revolutionises job-seeking for students
Obed Yeboah, who graduated from Leeds Beckett with a BSc (Hons) degree in Business Information Technology this summer, has created the app, CVsnip, with his partner and adviser, Navin Arora.
CVsnip allows students and graduates to search for jobs without a CV, showcasing their portfolio of work to employers and networking with fellow artists and designers. Tutors can also sign up to follow their students and receive notifications of their new videos. It is now available to download for free via the Apple App Store.
Obed explained: “As a student it is very hard for employers to notice you without experience when they are shortlisting applicants for interview and it can be very hard to demonstrate skills in an interview. Many students work on wonderful projects in college and university but never get the chance to show their work to employers and they are now battling with candidates with years of experience for a job role.
“CVsnip counters this issue by enabling applicants to show off their skills to employers at the first phase via YouTube video clips, which can also then be shared on Facebook and Twitter. Employers can post their jobs on the platform using their desktop computers, laptops and tablets as well as through the app. They can also search the database for talent. I envisage the app as the online version of the University’s events showcase that are held at the end of students’ final years and are open to employers.
“Additionally, students and graduates can use it to discover talent, learn and improve their skills by following other users. We also want to encourage students to work on mini projects whilst in education. Being able to follow other artists and designers allows users to increase their reputation through the app, gaining access to new projects which they can then share.”
Obed began working on his app during his second and third years at Leeds Beckett, working on it for a year as his work placement. The Enterprise and Innovation Academy for Students at Leeds Beckett provided a business adviser through its Placement Year Entrepreneurship Scheme and a Proof of Concept grant of £500 to help with promotion. Stephen Griffiths, Enterprise Development Officer, said: “I remember Obed’s persistence and utmost belief in his product as being the traits that saw him overcome the difficulties he faced in getting the App developed and launched.” Obed received £9,000 of funding through a business start-up loan and received mentoring from Navin Arora, the founder of London’s biggest mobile app and games meet-up group, AppsJunction.