PrepU

Frontend

Inspiration

At PrepU, our research unveiled common pain points in the interview process such as anxiety, stuttering, lack of eye contact, and going blank under stress. Recognizing these issues, PrepU aims to transform the hiring landscape by offering a platform where users can analyze their interview performance. We offer tools for mock interviews that not only assess users but also provide critical feedback for improvement.

What it does

PrepU employs machine learning algorithms to assess stress levels by analyzing facial cues and monitors eye contact by comparing the head position with a predefined mean position. Leveraging AWS transcription services, it detects grammatical errors and at the end of each session, the system provides positive reinforcement and constructive feedback. For instance, it might say, "From 01:25 to 01:40, you said this, but consider rephrasing to..." using suggestions from AI21 by AWS. The app is user-friendly, with OAuth for easy login, and features like viewing analysis, recording sessions, and participating in live mock interviews with real-time recruiters.

How we built it

The frontend of PrepU is crafted using HTML, JavaScript, React, and CSS, while the backend hinges on Python with AWS services such as DynamoDB, Lambda, S3, SNS, CloudWatch, SageMaker, and Cloud9. The app also integrates swiper.js for interactive elements. The seamless integration of these technologies has been pivotal in developing a robust platform.

Challenges we ran into

One major challenge was integrating third-party libraries into AWS Lambda and ensuring smooth communication between the front and back end. We sought assistance from the AWS team and utilized mentorship resources to navigate these complexities successfully.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are most proud of identifying a significant issue and addressing it head-on with an innovative solution. Learning to flow data between Lambda functions and integrating various AWS services to work in harmony, especially utilizing Amazon Rekognition for emotion detection, has been particularly gratifying. Moreover, the ability to transcribe speech to text and provide AI-driven suggestions for improvement using the ChatGPT API has marked a noteworthy achievement for us.

What we learned

The project has been a profound learning journey. We've gained technical expertise in AWS services and the intricacies of developing a seamless user experience. More importantly, we've learned the impact of the four statistics provided on hiring outcomes, which underpin the necessity of a platform like PrepU in today's job market.

What's next for PrepU

Looking ahead, we envision gamifying the PrepU experience, inviting recruiters for mock interviews, and instituting a subscription model for candidates seeking premium access. Additionally, partnerships with universities to embed PrepU into their career services are on the horizon, aiming to help students refine their interview skills within collegiate programs.

This overview of PrepU encapsulates our mission, technology, and future direction, reflecting our dedication to revolutionizing interview preparation and enabling candidates to present their best selves to potential employers.