Inspiration
As a team with deep roots in SME HR operations, we saw firsthand how small hiring teams were drowning in repetitive tasks—manual resume sorting, back-and-forth scheduling, and inconsistent rejection outreach. We wanted to build a tool that leveled the playing field, giving SMEs the AI-powered efficiency big corporations use, without the complexity or price tag.
What it does
HireAgent automates end-to-end recruitment workflows: AI parses and ranks resumes, sends automated screening questions, syncs with calendars to schedule interviews, generates personalized rejection letters, and enforces bias-reduction compliance—all in a visually polished, easy-to-use platform priced per active job (no hidden fees).
How we built it
We started with React/Next.js for the dynamic UI (prioritizing glassmorphism and scroll-triggered animations) and Node.js/Express for the backend. We integrated Google/Outlook Calendar APIs for scheduling, OpenAI API for NLP-driven resume parsing/scoring, and Stripe for billing. PostgreSQL stored job/candidate data, with Firebase for real-time activity logs.
Challenges we ran into
The biggest hurdle was balancing AI accuracy with compliance—anonymizing candidate data (name, age, gender) in Compliance Mode without breaking resume scoring logic. We also struggled with reliable calendar slot detection across two major APIs, and ensuring smooth batch processing for rejection letters at scale.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We built a bias-reduced scoring system that maintains accuracy while anonymizing sensitive data, and a UI that’s both visually striking (dark-mode support, animated progress rings) and functional for busy HR teams. Most importantly, we kept the pricing model simple and transparent—$99/month per active job, no limits on candidates.
What we learned
We deepened our understanding of HR compliance requirements for fair hiring practices, and how to design APIs that balance automation with human oversight. We also learned that small businesses value simplicity over overcomplicated features—our focus on core workflows (resume screening, scheduling) resonated far more than "nice-to-have" tools.
What's next for this project
We plan to add basic team collaboration features (role-based access) and integrate with popular email marketing tools for candidate nurture campaigns. We’re also testing advanced AI to generate interview question banks tailored to job roles, and exploring regional compliance updates for EU/US hiring regulations.
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