Job Application Tracker
Full-stack productivity app with gamification to stay motivated during job search
The Problem
Managing 100+ job applications across multiple sources became overwhelming. Needed motivation during long job search with no existing tools combining tracking and accountability features.
Specific Pain Points
- Application overload: Hard to track where I applied, when I applied, and what stage each application was in
- Lost motivation: Job searching can be demoralizing—needed something to keep me engaged
- No follow-up system: Forgot to follow up on applications because there was no reminder system
- Scattered data: Applications tracked across spreadsheets, emails, and sticky notes
The Solution
Full-stack tracker with Firebase Firestore backend. Built-in gamification features (focus timer, reward system) to maintain motivation. CSV bulk import/export, filtering by status/priority, and visual progress indicators.
Key Features
Application Management
Track job applications with status, priority, company info, and notes
Focus Timer
Pomodoro-style timer to stay productive during application sessions
Reward System
Gamification features to stay motivated—earn points for completing tasks
CSV Import/Export
Bulk import applications and export data for backup or analysis
Smart Filtering
Filter by status (Applied, Interview, Rejected, etc.) and priority level
Visual Progress
See your job search progress at a glance with stats and charts
Screenshots & Walkthrough
Main dashboard showing all job applications with status indicators and filtering
Application details view with tracking and progress features
Additional Features
More screenshots comingAdditional features and views to be added
Technical Implementation
Architecture Decisions
I chose React for its component-based architecture and Firebase for real-time data sync. This allows the app to work seamlessly across devices without building a custom backend.
Frontend (React)
- Component-based UI for reusable application cards and forms
- React Hooks for state management
- CSV parsing for bulk import/export functionality
- Responsive design for mobile and desktop use
Backend (Firebase)
- Firestore for NoSQL database (real-time sync)
- Firebase Authentication for user accounts
- Security rules to ensure users only access their own data
Interesting Challenges
Challenge: Maintaining Motivation
Job searching is mentally exhausting. I needed the app itself to be motivating, not just functional.
Solution: Added gamification features like a focus timer and reward points. Seeing progress visually (charts, stats) helped me stay motivated even when applications were rejected.
Challenge: Data Import/Export
Users might already have application data in spreadsheets. I needed an easy way to import existing data.
Solution: Built CSV parsing that maps spreadsheet columns to application fields. Also added export functionality for backup and analysis in other tools.
Development Process
What I Built First
Started with basic CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) for applications. Once the core tracking worked, I added the focus timer and gamification features based on what I personally needed to stay motivated.
User Testing & Iteration
- Round 1: Just used it myself—realized I needed bulk import since I already had 50+ applications in a spreadsheet
- Round 2: Shared with job-seeking friends—they wanted filtering by status and priority
- Round 3: Added visual stats because seeing progress helped combat job search fatigue
Additional Features I'd Like to Add
I'd add automated reminder notifications for follow-ups and integrate with job boards via API to auto-populate application data. I'd also enhance the analytics dashboard with salary tracking and application success rate insights.
Results & Impact
Personal Impact
This tool turned a chaotic, stressful job search into an organized system. The gamification features genuinely helped me stay motivated during a difficult time. By tracking everything in one place, I could see patterns (which companies responded, which industries had better response rates) and adjust my strategy.
Open Source
I open-sourced this project so other job seekers could use and improve it. If even one person finds it helpful during their job search, it was worth building.
Lessons Learned
Build for yourself first
This started as a tool I needed. Building something I personally used every day made it easier to know what features mattered and what didn't.
Motivation matters as much as functionality
The gamification features seemed silly at first, but they genuinely helped during a stressful time. UX isn't just about usability—it's about how the product makes people feel.
Firebase is great for solo projects
Firebase let me ship a full-stack app without managing servers or databases. For solo projects, this speed-to-market is invaluable.