Building a Job Tracker with the Claude API
How I built a full-featured job application tracker powered by AI — from extracting job descriptions to giving interview coaching.
I've been job hunting on and off for a while now, and like most developers, I eventually got frustrated enough to build my own tool.
The core idea was simple: track applications, know where you stand, and get AI-powered nudges when you've gone quiet on an opportunity too long.
The Stack
I built the whole thing as a single React component — no backend, no database. State lives in localStorage, and when you need to extract a job description or get interview prep, it hits the Claude API directly from the browser.
The AI Integration
The most interesting part was the Claude integration. Rather than just summarizing a JD, I built two modes:
1. Tailor mode: Takes your resume and the JD, outputs targeted bullet suggestions 2. Prep mode: Takes the JD and generates STAR-format practice questions
What I Learned
Building with AI APIs changes how you think about product. Features that would have taken weeks are now one good prompt away. The real work is in the UX — making the AI output feel integrated, not bolted on.