What it does: Technology consultancy, web portal design and development, and machine learning solutions.
Best known for: AppTask has won several awards including the 2015 Hong Kong ICT Awards for its mobile technology solutions.
Staff stats: Between 10 and 50 employees.
The good bits: Recent graduates can advance quickly from their initial roles because of AppTask’s small size.
The not so good bits: The organisation is a sole proprietorship that makes them more vulnerable to business failure, hence affecting job security for employees.
Keith Tsa co-founded AppTask in 2010 as a provider of enterprise-level mobile applications. The organisation’s primary services are technology consultancy, web portal design and development, and machine learning solutions. The organisation’s clients include Adobe, Cisco, DBS Bank, Hong Kong Disneyland, IBM, McDonald’s, Nielsen, Philips and Standard Chartered. The organisation has regional offices in Shanghai and Singapore, aside from their headquarters in Hong Kong.
Some of AppTask’s more than 300 mobile apps for clients are the Happy McDonald’s and the Hong Kong Disneyland Operating Guide apps. The McDonald’s app helps users with finding nearby stores and informs them of the latest promotions and offers. The Disneyland app complements the training of employees through video and interactive exam questions.
Most graduates apply online for entry-level job vacancies or internships. You should mention your expected salary when sending your cover letter and resume. The organisation encourages IT and computer science graduates to demonstrate their skills during interviews.
AppTask offers internships for digital marketing executives, mobile application developers and project executives. Digital marketing executives must have degrees in e-commerce, journalism, marketing or in a related field. The organisation prefers to hire individuals who are familiar with Photoshop, digital marketing technologies and online marketing strategies (eg SEM and SEO). You should also be fluent in Cantonese and English.
Mobile application developers must have a degree or diploma in IT, computer science or in a related discipline. AppTask will be more inclined to hire graduates who a strongly knowledgeable in C/C++ programming and OO concepts. Any experience in Android and iOS will be an advantage. Project executives at the organisation usually have a degree in business, communications or marketing. They are also fluent in Chinese and English.
The organisation also accepts recent IT or computer science graduates as web application developers. Applicants with two years of experience, however, will have the advantage. You can increase your chances of being hired through a good understanding of ASP.NET, JQuery, HTML, PHP and Python. Familiarity with data storage such as MySQL, SQL Server and Redis will be an advantage. Other entry-level roles include account managers, but applicants must have at least one year of experience in IT solutions to be considered for the role. They must be fluent in Cantonese and English as well.
AppTask offers medical insurance, free snacks and drinks, and a modern office with an entertainment area. The organisation says that they offer a competitive remuneration package. Employees work five days a week, but it’s unclear if they have weekends off.
AppTask competes with APPTUTTi, Creole Studios, CWV Studios, Joy Aether Ltd, Okoone and Share Media Ltd.
The organisation has developed and maintained mobile apps for the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, Senior Citizen Home Safety Association (SCHSA), Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, and other non-government organisations (NGOs) and social enterprises in Hong Kong. AppTask’s partnership with SCHSA involved a common digital platform for sharing eHealth data among NGOs and other third parties.
AppTask also maintains the Flag Bag Easy app for the Hong Kong Council of Social Service’s project. The app improves the efficiency of collecting flag bags, storing related data and enabling user access control. The organisation also helped in developing the E-Health Well Being Survey App for the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and the Risk Understanding By Yourself app for the Asia Diabetes Foundation.
AppTask’s business structure reduces job security however the organisation remains a good choice for IT graduates if they need a stepping stone in the industry.
You may overlook a lower salary by being a senior mobile app developer, which AppTask allows even if you just finished your degree. AppTask also says that they provide competitive salaries, but graduates should expect to earn below-average pay if they have no prior experience in their chosen field.