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What is JobScout?
JobScout is a web and mobile platform that uses game design to teach and
reinforce digital literacy skills by:
 Engaging users in self-paced activities;
 Assisting users in mastering these skills to apply online for a job; and
 Enabling users to network on and offline.
Where is JobScout Available?
JobScout launched in beta on December 7, 2011, and is available 24/7 online at
http://www.myjobscout.org. The JobScout team is currently working closely
with libraries across California including those in the County of Los Angeles
Public Library, San Jose Library, Santa Cruz Libraries and Yolo County Library
systems to get feedback from users about their JobScout experience.
To help potential users find JobScout, our team has asked library jurisdictions
participating in the beta to make a link to JobScout available in a prominent
place when a browser launches on library computer terminals. Some have
chosen to feature JobScout on the library’s home page, while others have
chosen to feature it on a widely used resources page.
Who is JobScout’s Target Audience?
The target user community is anyone looking for a job in California. The platform
was built to accommodate skill levels that may include:
 Users without digital literacy skills;
 Users with limited digital literacy skills;
 Users who may be overwhelmed by the diversity and amount of online
job resources that are complex to navigate and manage; and
 Users who desire a streamlined resource offering and management tools
for their job-hunt.

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How Do I Get Started on JobScout?
Creating an Account
Getting started on JobScout is easy. The user will be asked to sign up for an
account by creating a username and pass phrase. Skip the Squirrel will guide the
user through this process in case they need a little extra help.
Taking the JobScout Skills Assessment
When the user is done creating their account, they will be asked to participate in
a skills assessment survey. The survey will allow the platform to assess the user’s
skill level to determine which lessons to make available to the user as they get
started on the platform. If the user displays little to no digital competency, he or
she will be required to begin with the first lesson. The more proficiency the user
demonstrates with his or her survey responses, the more lessons will be made
available to the user from the beginning.
What Will the User Experience be Like on JobScout?
Users will experience digital literacy learning activities that are consistent with
the Basic Digital Literacy Skills Framework developed and supported by the
State of California. The platform allows the user to assume the role of a “scout”
in a game environment searching for the digital literacy skills they need to find
employment online. Imagine learners on a discovery trail with the guidance of a
master scout being able to navigate through many digital literacy skills activities,
mastering each point and successfully achieving their badge.
What are JobScout’s Main Features?
Lessons and Activities
The user learns on JobScout through a series of lessons and activities. Each
lesson covers a different digital literacy skill that is essential for the user to
master in order to find a job using online resources. The information in each
lesson is broken down into basic language, and is accompanied by screen shots
to accommodate users with varying literacy levels.

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Each lesson is followed up by activities designed to test the user’s knowledge of
the skill level he or she was just introduced to in the lesson they completed.
Activities include multiple-choice questions, true or false questions, fill-in
questions, word jumbles and object identification puzzles. Additional activities
will be released throughout the beta.
ResumeBuilder
JobScout’s ResumeBuilder lets the user create, save and print a resume without
having to leave the JobScout site. Located at the top of the MyJobScout page,
the ResumeBuilder is easily accessible and even easier to use. The
ResumeBuilder’s fill-in function gives the user guidance on what information
needs to be included in their resume. When the user is done entering their
information, they can simply click the Save and Print button and JobScout will
format their resume in a ready-to-use form.
One Stop Job Shop
JobScout’s One Stop Job Shop allows users to manage the entire job
application process directly from the JobScout website. Icons guide users
through the four primary steps necessary to send an application to an employer.
From reviewing the job posting, to finding a contact email address, sending a
resume with a custom preformatted cover email and scheduling an interview,
users can do it all directly from JobScout.
Job Search Function Powered by Simply Hired
The top of the user’s MyJobScout page also features a job search function
powered by Simply Hired. JobScout users can search Simply Hired’s website for
jobs by keyword and location. The first three results matching the user’s search
will appear at the top of the MyJobScout page. Users can click the Indeed link at
the bottom of the list of results on the MyJobScout page to see the rest of the
results that match their search.
Social Network
JobScout’s Social Network allows users to connect with each other directly on
the site. On the Social Network, users can set up a profile and connect with
other users about their job search. Imagine two JobScout users sitting at
opposite ends of a library connecting about a common challenge they are facing

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with their job search on JobScout. During their interaction, these users discover
that they are both in the same library and begin to connect offline trading tips
and providing each other with support.
How Do I Give Feedback or Report a Problem on JobScout?
JobScout’s pilot jurisdictions serve as a hub for users to experience the platform.
They are also a great place for the JobScout team to get feedback about the
site. Our team will be working on updates for JobScout throughout the beta
period. As you and your patrons use the site, we want to know what you think.
To send us feedback or report any bugs you may experience with the site,
please use the
Report a Problem button. The Report a Problem button can be found at the
bottom of each page on the JobScout website.
Those questions that come up frequently will be featured on JobScout’s FAQ
page. A link to JobScout’s FAQ page can be found at the bottom of every page
on the JobScout website.
Is There Support Available for JobScout?
Customer Support
The team at JobScout wants to ensure that staff members in library jurisdictions
participating in the beta are supported. During the beta, JobScout’s Director of
Marketing and Platform Satisfaction, Josh Bradley, will support participating
library jurisdictions. Josh will be monitoring user feedback and problems through
the Report a Problem function and through the social network.
In addition to addressing feedback and customer support, Josh will be getting
the word out about JobScout. If you have questions about community outreach,
or if you would like to organize a JobScout event at your library branch, you can
contact Josh at bradley@realpolitech.com.
Resources
Librarians participating in JobScout will be provided with a variety of resources
to help them get started on the platform and spread the word in their
communities. The JobScout Librarians page will play host to user guides, videos,

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high quality image files of the JobScout logo and characters and lots of other
resources to get you and your staff started on JobScout.
In addition, each library participating in the beta will receive a JobScout “buzz
kit.” Buzz kits include posters, fliers, stickers, postcards and other fun stuff for
librarians to hang, display and pass out in their libraries. Buzz kit materials will
also be available for download on JobScout’s Librarian’s Page.