CodePro program does the work for jobseekers

A software developer has launched a product aimed at job seekers, inspired by his own experience during a period of unemployment. Lionel Potter's Job Prospector is a desk top program which enables users to organise their job search activities.
The software enables people looking for work to catalogue job vacancies, applications, replies and contact names and numbers into a working database.
It aims to simplify a process which can become confused when dealing with numerous recruitment agency staff, tailoring CV's to be job-specific and keeping track of the latest opportunities.
Unable to secure work in IT following his redundancy, Mr. Potter, a former systems analyst from Exeter, took on night shifts as a security supervisor. In December 2008, he quit his job to work full-time on the new software, which he is now marketing through CodePro, the company that he established with his business partner and employment trainer, Julie Seddon.
"It was a big risk, but Lionel is passionate about creating software and wanted to develop something that was helpful to people, rather than the businesses themselves," Ms Seddon said.
"We are determined to get Job Prospector out to everyone who needs it to help them get back to work. We were both aware that seeking work really is a minefield. Even during normal economic times, job hunting is a gruelling and exhausting process. The current economic crisis and the shrinking job market make the process much harder and longer."
The software is being sold via the company's website, www.codepro.co.uk, and the firm is also in discussions with JobCentre Plus, the Connexions Service, A4e and the Shaw Trust to provide the £20 Job Prospector for their job-ready clients.
The company also has its sights on attracting corporate clients who might offer the software as part of their redundancy packages.
"Job Prospector also generates an activity report which can be printed by clients as proof of job searches while they are unemployed," Ms Seddon said. "The onus is very much on individuals to demonstrate that they are actively seeking work."
"Job Prospector is not a job search program - it is the first personal employment information management system to be available for individuals to download to their own PC and use to get an advantage."
CodePro is also providing free "how to" guides from its website to help users make the most of the software.
"The main attraction for job seekers is that Job Prospector is easy to use and enables them to get organised and save lots of time when dealing with all the different agencies and job sources they may be using," Ms Seddon said. "Just getting everything organised helps people to feel more confident and in control, and this can help them to make better applications and perform better at interview."
Mr. Potter is now developing a similar system, Job Prospector Plus, a career management program aimed at graduates and professionals.
Sources: Western Morning News
Reporter: Catherine Barnes
Copyright: Western Morning News