Using Work Window to Support Career Conversations

craig3033
Jun 25
3 min read

Work Window gives people a chance to explore real-world jobs, reflect on what stands out, and take steps toward what interests them. It’s not about making decisions on the spot—it’s about opening up conversations that lead somewhere.

We work with schools, TAFEs, universities, DSOs, employment services, and community organisations. Each has different goals, but all share the need for engaging, flexible tools that support career exploration in practical ways.

While the research that informs our approach is mostly Western, the core ideas—lifelong development, learning through experience, and emotional connection—are relevant across different regions and cultural settings. We aim to build tools that support diverse learners, wherever they are.

Here’s how that research is shaping the way we support career educators and organisations of all kinds:

A Shift in Thinking

Career guidance used to be about matching people to predefined pathways. But we’re seeing a growing move toward exploration—trying things out, reflecting, and shaping direction over time.

That shift is backed by both research and the day-to-day practice of many practitioners we work with. Approaches like narrative career development (McMahon & Patton, 2023), life design theory (Savickas, 2013), and the SELCE framework (myfuture.edu.au) all point toward the same thing: that real-world experience, emotional engagement, and personal reflection are essential for meaningful career development.

It’s less about prediction, more about exposure. Less about the perfect answer, more about building confidence to take the next step.

Work Window is designed to support that kind of approach—giving people a practical, engaging way to explore careers, without the pressure to decide right away. It’s not about directing someone toward a single career—it’s about helping them explore, reflect, and figure out what matters to them, with you alongside them.

How Work Window Supports Modern Career Conversations

Here are a few ways we’ve seen Work Window used effectively—alongside the knowledge and support that educators, careers counsellors, and facilitators already bring.

After the Experience: Ask “What Stood Out?”

Rather than a formal debrief, we suggest keeping it simple. Ask:

“What stood out to you?” “Was that what you expected?” “Did anything surprise you?”

These open-ended questions create space for real reflection—which is exactly what narrative and constructivist career approaches are built on.

Students taking advantage of CUC Balonne's headsets. Using Work Window and the Job Interview Simulator

Link Curiosity to Possibility

If someone connects with what they just saw, they’re often open to exploring next steps.

“Would you want to learn more about it?” “Is there a subject or pathway that ties in?” “Does it remind you of something you’ve thought about before?”

Rather than “What job do you want?”, we’re helping people explore what draws them in—and how that could translate to study, training, or a future step.

Use it with Groups too

Work Window creates a shared reference point. Everyone’s seen the same thing, but how they interpret it will vary—and that’s the point.

We’ve seen it used in classrooms, job-seeking groups, and even with sports teams. Group conversations often help quieter people speak up and realise their questions are valid too.

Keep the Momentum Going

The Job Interview Simulator, guided reflection questions, or a follow-up session are all easy ways to take things further.

The point is, exploration shouldn’t be a one-off. The goal is to build a deeper sense of direction over time.

Work Window Doesn’t Replace the Conversation—It Helps Start It

You’re already doing the hard, meaningful work of helping people explore options and build confidence. Work Window is here to back that up—by making exploration more immersive, more engaging, and more grounded in real-world insight.

We’ll keep improving what we do, based on what you’re seeing and hearing on the ground. If you’ve found an approach that’s worked well, or want to share how you’ve used Work Window with students or jobseekers, we’d love to hear from you.