The mock-up NHS Job App idea started with with a cup of tea, a blank sheet of paper, and a wild idea to make job hunting in the NHS… actually enjoyable.
The Spark
It all began on a rainy Wednesday (classic Scotland). I was scrolling through job sites for research when I noticed something: everything felt a bit clunky. Job listings were scattered across different pages, training opportunities were hidden like treasure, and there was no friendly nudge when a dream role popped up.
As a UX designer with a love for solving human problems through screens, I thought what if there was a single, friendly, helpful app that held your hand through the NHS job hunt?
Cue: “Just for Jobs” – my brainchild designed to simplify the way people interact with NHS Scotland’s recruitment process.
Mission: NHS Job Hunt, Simplified
I imagined a user waking up, opening their phone, and with one tap, seeing new NHS job listings, training opportunities, interview tips, and a timeline that shows exactly where they are in the application process. No stress. No hunting through websites. Just support, right where they need it.
The Design Process (aka The Creative Chaos)
Step 1: Know Thy Users
Before I even touched my mouse, I went deep into the mind of an NHS job seeker. I sketched out personas, like:
- Emma, a freshly qualified nurse who just wants a job now now now
- Ahmed, a lab tech looking to switch departments but overwhelmed by bureaucracy
- Lorna, a career-changer who has no clue where to begin
They helped me map out the emotional highs and lows of job searching confusion, excitement, and that sweet dopamine hit when you get an interview invite.
Step 2: Sketch First, Pixel Later
I grabbed my trusty pen and paper and started doodling wireframes. These rough sketches let me play around with layouts without getting precious.
There were lots of crossed-out boxes, scribbles, and “nope” moments. But eventually, a clear flow began to emerge: Jobs ➡️ Training ➡️ Apply ➡️ Track ➡️ Interview Tips.
Step 3: Bring on the Pixels
Once the vision was clear, I jumped into Adobe XD. I designed screens that followed NHS Scotland’s branding, but gave it a fresh, clean vibe. Think:
- Bold headers
- Calming blues and whites
- Big, accessible buttons
- And microinteractions (yes, I’m obsessed) to guide the user’s every move
Features I’m Proud Of
Job Listings – Search by role, location, or department
Push Notifications – Get alerts for new jobs without checking 5 tabs
Application Tracker – See where you are, and what’s next
Interview Tips – Tailored NHS-style advice for nervous applicants
Accessibility First – High contrast, screen-reader friendly, and no one left behind
Tools I Used to Bring It All to Life
- Adobe XD– For designing and prototyping (and undo-ing a thousand times)
- Adobe Illustrator – For crispy-clean icons and illustrations
- Canva – To mock things up like a boss
Final Thoughts
Designing Just for Jobs wasn’t just a UX project it was a chance to imagine what job-hunting could look like if we treated users like humans, not form-fillers.
Whether you’re fresh out of uni, switching careers, or looking to move departments, I wanted this app to whisper: “Don’t worry. I’ve got you.”
Link to prototype HERE
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