Technical Case Study

CareerDad — AI-Powered CV Calibration, Built by Tiemie

A deep-dive into the architecture that runs South Africa’s smartest ATS scanner and factual CV translator.

What is CareerDad?

CareerDad is a Pre-Application Calibration Technology (PACT) platform that scans CVs against real job descriptions, detects ATS rejection risks, and rewrites work experience into ATS-friendly language — without inventing anything. Built to serve South African job seekers, it’s optimised for applicants targeting major retailers, banks, and enterprises running Workday, SuccessFactors, or Taleo.

Architecture

The Technical Blueprint

Frontend & Mobile Experience

Next.js 14 (App Router)

Server-side rendering for SEO and performance. The landing page is static; the app dashboard is a dynamic single-page application with real-time data sync.

TypeScript

Strict typing across the entire codebase, including Cloud Functions.

Tailwind CSS & Mobile-First

Utility-first styling for rapid, consistent UI. Fully responsive from entry-level smartphones to desktop.

Progressive Web App (PWA)

Service worker via next-pwa, installable on mobile devices. Offline-ready shell and IndexedDB caching for CV data.

FCM & Push Notifications

Firebase Cloud Messaging with automated behavioral segments for re-engagement.

AI & Document Processing

Google Cloud Document AI

Enterprise document parser that extracts text from uploaded PDF/DOCX files, preserving structure. Handles South African CV formats natively.

Gemini 2.5 Pro (Multimodal LLM)

Dual-mode operation: ATS Scan Mode for keyword & formatting analysis, and Factual Translator Mode for NQF/SAQA-aligned professional rewriting without fabrication.

Output Validation Layer

Post-processing verifies AI output hasn't added untrue claims. A deterministic score.ts engine runs as a trust-but-verify baseline.

On-Device Text Extraction

Client-side fallback parser using browser APIs for immediate CV preview on slow or intermittent networks.

Cloud & Backend (Firebase)

Firebase Auth

Email/password and Google sign-in with strict email verification. Custom claims for access tier management.

Firestore (NoSQL)

Role-based security rules with sub-collections for scans, saved jobs, interviews, and user profiles. Field-level access control.

Cloud Functions v2

Serverless Node.js functions triggered by HTTP callables, Firestore triggers, and pub/sub schedules. All functions enforce authentication and rate limiting.

Adzuna API Integration

Job search aggregation with post-processing to enforce a permanent South African-only filter.

Yoco Payments

South African payment gateway. Webhook with HMAC signature verification. Access tiers (Free, Sprint R97, Accelerator R247) provisioned automatically on payment.

Firebase Remote Config

Feature flags and dynamic pricing experiments without redeployment.

Gamification & Behavioural Nudges

Custom Gamification Engine

Streaks, daily directives, and momentum scoring. Activity logging via a dedicated logActivity Cloud Function that updates Firestore in real time.

Lifecycle Email & Push Sequences

Automated follow-ups (e.g., 'CV scanned but no job saved' at 24h/48h/72h) powered by Firestore queries and scheduled Cloud Functions.

A/B Testing Infrastructure

Analytics events and Remote Config flags already wired for future optimisation experiments.

Security & Data Privacy

Private-By-Default Architecture

All CV data is private to the user's account. No public CV posting, ever.

Firestore Field-Level Security Rules

Granular access control ensures users can only read/write their own data, with server-side validation on all writes.

Rate Limiting & Abuse Prevention

Public endpoints throttled. Suspicious patterns flagged and blocked at the Cloud Functions layer.

Email Verification Gate

All sensitive features require verified email before access is granted.

For Decision Makers

Why This Matters for Your Business

Production-Grade, Not Prototypes

CareerDad is live, monetised, and serving real users. We deliver AI products that work in production, not just demos.

Messy Integration, Handled

Payments, auth, document processing, mobile-first UI, localisation — we handle the complex integration so you don't have to.

Built for South Africa

We understand the market. Tools that work on entry-level smartphones, patchy networks, and local payment rails like Yoco.

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