Applyup : Skills-First Recruitment App
Summary
Applyup was created for recruiters and job seekers who had become tired of job boards that rely on a job seeker's resume as the sole identifier. The candidates submitted an application to a handful of jobs and recruiters spent hours sifting through masses of unsorted applications and lost good matches in the shuffle. Markeltree built and designed Applyup as a mobile-first platform to facilitate matching people to roles by skills, thus paving the way for quicker hiring on both sides.
About Applyup
The majority of recruitment platforms are resume databases with a search box at the top. Applyup is centered around skills. Candidates create a profile of their abilities, recruiters outline the requirements of a role and the platform matches them. One swipe to apply, and a recruiter gets a ranked shortlist instead of a long list of applicants.
Markeltree developed and deployed the entire application, including the candidate app, the recruiter app, the matching engine, interviewing and scheduling, and the analytics layer. The mobile applications were built using React Native, and the backend was developed with Node.js and PostgreSQL on AWS.
The Challenges
Every project starts with real problems. Here are the core challenges we tackled for this engagement.
Resumes Hide Real Ability: Capable candidates were not found by keyword searching. The platform had to identify skills, rather than just job titles.
Applying Was Slow and Repetitive: Job seekers completed the same forms again and again. Applying to multiple suitable jobs needed to take only seconds.
Applicants Were Not Filtered for Teams: Teams had to screen too many people who were never a fit. Qualified candidates needed to be advanced to the top automatically.
The Hiring Journey Was Scattered: Applications, messages, interviews and schedules were on separate tools. Both sides needed one place to record each step.
Candidates Left in the Dark: Applicants did not get any response. The app needed clear notifications along with reminders so nobody was left in the dark.
Lack of Market Insight for Hiring Teams: It was difficult for hiring teams to see what was in demand and where the talent was. They needed data they could use within the platform.
Core Features Implemented
A breakdown of the core components built and delivered for Applyup.
Skills-Based Profiles
Candidates state what they are able to do, rather than where they have worked.
Capabilities include:
- Guided onboarding for candidates and recruiters
- Skill tags with skill levels
- Job preferences for role, location, salary range and work mode
- Profile completeness indicators
Profiles reflect actual ability, so the matching engine has more information to work with.
Intelligent Matching Engine
Candidates and roles are paired by skills and fit.
Capabilities include:
- Match scores based on skills, experience and preferences
- Top job matches for each candidate
- Ranked candidate shortlists for recruiters
- Matching that improves as users interact with results
Both sides see their most relevant options first.
Swipe-to-Apply Experience
Applying takes seconds.
Capabilities include:
- One-swipe applications for matched roles
- Apply to multiple jobs in one go
- Profile automatically attached to every application
- Undo and withdraw options
Candidates spend their time choosing jobs, not completing forms.
Automated Candidate Screening
Unqualified applicants are filtered out without manual sorting.
Capabilities include:
- Automatic matching of candidates to vacancies
- Screening filters for skills, experience and availability
- Shortlists created for each position
- Recruiter controls to adjust screening criteria
Recruiters get a short list of good candidates rather than a long list of unknowns.
Recruiter Workspace
The whole hiring pipeline in one view.
Capabilities include:
- Job posting and job management
- Pipeline stages from applied to hired
- Notes, tags and team access
- Company profile and employer branding page
Teams manage every role and candidate from a single dashboard.
Video Interviews & Scheduling
Interviews are conducted within the app.
Capabilities include:
- Built-in video interviews
- Calendar sync and slot booking
- Automatic reminders for both parties
- Interview notes kept on the candidate record
No more back-and-forth emails to schedule an interview.
Application Tracking & Notifications
Nobody is left wondering where they stand.
Capabilities include:
- Real-time application status for candidates
- Push notifications for matches, messages and interview slots
- In-app messaging between recruiters and candidates
- Alerts for new jobs that match a candidate’s experience and background
Candidates stay up to date, and recruiters receive quicker responses.
Analytics & Market Insights
Information that helps both sides improve.
Capabilities include:
- Hiring dashboards with application and hiring metrics
- Insight into which skills and talent are in demand
- Suggestions for candidates to improve their match rate
- Exportable reports
Teams make hiring decisions based on data, and candidates know how to strengthen their profile.
Admin Panel & Platform Controls
Full control of the entire platform.
Capabilities include:
- Management of users, companies and listings
- Employer account verification and content filtering
- Role-based access for admin team members
- Platform configuration and user activity monitoring
The platform stays secure, orderly and simple to maintain as it grows.
How We Built Applyup
Research & Discovery
We spoke to recruiters and candidates to find out where they felt the hiring process was slow, unfair or confusing. Those discussions shaped a clear list of features, as well as the matching logic and user experience for both groups.
Design & Prototyping
We designed the onboarding, the swipe experience and the recruiter workspace, and ran usability tests with real users on clickable prototypes. The emphasis was on a simple mobile flow suited to people who are always on the move.
Development & Matching Engine
We developed the mobile applications, backend, skills matching engine, video interviews and the notification system. The analytics layer was built in as part of the product.
Testing & Gradual Launch
We tested match accuracy, interview flows and performance under load, then launched in stages. Each release was shaped by real user feedback, which made the product better with every iteration.
Key Outcomes & Impact
Skills-based matching across 80+ countries
500+ companies onboarded with shorter hiring cycles
25% average monthly user growth
One swipe to apply to multiple matched roles
Video interviews and scheduling built into the same app
A platform ready for new regions, industries and recruiters
We didn't want another job board with a search bar. We wanted a platform that understood skills and made matching fast for both sides. Markeltree understood that from the first call. Our recruiters now start with ranked shortlists, candidates apply in seconds, and hiring cycles are noticeably shorter.
Ready to Make Hiring Faster and Smarter?
Share your idea with our team and get a clear plan, timeline and estimate for your own recruitment platform.
Get in Touch to Discuss Your Vision With Our Industry Experts
What our customers say
Markeltree’s AI solutions helped us optimize our data workflows and decision-making process. Their team clearly understood our objectives and delivered a practical, results-driven AI implementation.
More Case Studies
Advisory CRM : Compliance-First CRM
Designing and building a compliance-first CRM that takes insurance and financial advisory leads from first contact to in-force client, with consent, licensing and advisor approval built into every step.
EstateFlow : Real Estate CRM
Designing and building a real estate CRM that brings leads, listings, viewings, deals and commissions into one workspace for a UAE brokerage.