TexquisiteCV | Devpost

Choose premade templates
Add your information
Publish your own templates for others to use
Retool allows for easy administration for the mongoDB Atlas database
The workflow automatically compiles the Latex file
The pdf is returned in form of an artifact you can download

Inspiration

TexquisiteCV was inspired by the desire to bridge the gap between visually appealing resumes and compatibility with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Recognizing the complexity of LaTeX, the creators sought to simplify the process. They envisioned a seamless solution that combines the power of LaTeX with user-friendly features: GitHub integration, template selection, quick data entry, and automated PDF generation. TexquisiteCV aims to empower individuals in showcasing their talents effectively and efficiently, enabling them to stand out in the competitive job market.

What it does

TexquisiteCV is an open-source platform that revolutionizes the creation of resumes using LaTeX. It simplifies the process for users, making it accessible even to those unfamiliar with LaTeX. By logging in with GitHub, users can choose from a variety of pre-defined templates and effortlessly enter their information. With a single click, TexquisiteCV generates a dedicated GitHub repository and initiates a workflow that compiles the resume into a polished PDF within minutes.

One of TexquisiteCV's unique features is its flexibility. Users can create their own templates by leveraging the platform's defined configuration options. This empowers individuals to tailor their resumes to their specific needs and preferences. Furthermore, TexquisiteCV allows users to publish their self-designed templates, making them available for other students to utilize.

By combining the power of LaTeX, the collaborative nature of open source development, and the ability to share and utilize custom templates, TexquisiteCV empowers students to create visually stunning and ATS-friendly resumes, ultimately enhancing their chances of success in the competitive job market.

How we built it

TexquisiteCV was meticulously built using a robust tech stack and a combination of powerful tools and frameworks. The project leveraged various technologies to ensure a seamless and efficient experience for users.

The templates were constructed using LaTeX, a widely used typesetting system known for its professional-looking documents. To provide flexibility and customization options, the template configurations were written in JSON format, allowing users to easily modify and personalize their resumes.

The frontend and backend of TexquisiteCV were developed using ReactJS and NextJS, respectively. These popular JavaScript frameworks facilitated the creation of a responsive and interactive user interface. Material-UI (MUI) was utilized to design and style the frontend components, enhancing the overall user experience.

For data storage, MongoDB Atlas, a cloud-based NoSQL database service, was employed. It ensured reliable and scalable data management, enabling seamless user profile and template storage.

To streamline administrative tasks, Retool, a powerful platform for building internal tools, was utilized. It simplified various backend processes, facilitating efficient management of user data and system settings. In order to combat false template submissions, the submissions have to go through an approval process which is handled by Retool.

Integration with GitHub APIs and OAuth apps was instrumental in providing key functionalities. These APIs enabled TexquisiteCV to read repositories, generate new ones from templates, modify LaTeX files, and execute workflows. This integration ensured smooth collaboration between TexquisiteCV and GitHub, facilitating automated PDF generation, PDF download, and repository creation.

By leveraging these cutting-edge technologies and integrations, TexquisiteCV was developed to deliver a user-friendly, efficient, and feature-rich platform for creating professional resumes using LaTeX.

Challenges we ran into

During the development of TexquisiteCV, our team encountered several challenges that required innovative solutions and diligent problem-solving.

Learning Curve: One of the primary challenges was the complexity of LaTeX itself. As a typesetting system with a steep learning curve, it required significant effort to understand its intricacies and leverage its capabilities effectively. Overcoming this challenge involved extensive research, experimentation, and collaboration to ensure a user-friendly experience.

Integrating GitHub APIs: Integrating with GitHub APIs and OAuth apps presented its own set of challenges. Navigating the documentation, understanding authentication processes, and implementing the necessary functionality required meticulous attention to detail. Troubleshooting and debugging were crucial to ensuring smooth interactions between TexquisiteCV and GitHub.

Workflow Automation: Building a streamlined workflow for automatically generating PDFs involved orchestrating multiple steps, such as repository creation, file modification, and workflow execution. Coordinating these tasks while considering various edge cases and potential errors demanded careful planning and rigorous testing.

Template Customization: Enabling users to create and customize their templates within the platform required a flexible and user-friendly system. Designing a configuration format that allowed easy modifications while ensuring compatibility with LaTeX templates proved to be a challenge. Striking a balance between customization options and maintaining the integrity of the LaTeX structure required iterative refinement.

Scalability and Performance: As TexquisiteCV aimed to cater to a growing user base, ensuring scalability and optimal performance became crucial. Optimizing database queries, implementing caching mechanisms, and fine-tuning the application's architecture were essential to deliver a seamless experience, even during peak usage.

User Experience and Design: Crafting an intuitive and visually appealing user interface was an ongoing challenge. Balancing the complex features of LaTeX with a clean and user-friendly design required thoughtful consideration and continuous iterations based on user feedback.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Throughout the development process, the TexquisiteCV team achieved several notable accomplishments that we are proud of. These accomplishments highlight the dedication and innovation behind the project:

Simplified LaTeX for Users: TexquisiteCV successfully simplified the process of creating LaTeX-based resumes for users who are unfamiliar with LaTeX. By providing a user-friendly interface, pre-defined templates, and easy data entry, we made LaTeX accessible to a wider audience, empowering individuals to create visually appealing and ATS-friendly resumes effortlessly.

Seamless GitHub Integration: Our team accomplished seamless integration with GitHub APIs and OAuth apps. This integration allowed users to log in with their GitHub accounts, automatically generated repositories for their resumes, and executed workflows to build polished PDFs. By leveraging GitHub's infrastructure, we provided a streamlined and efficient user experience.

Customizable Template System: TexquisiteCV implemented a customizable template system, enabling users to create and modify their own resume templates. By defining configurations in JSON format, users could personalize their resumes to reflect their unique styles and preferences. This feature encouraged creativity and allowed for diverse and tailored resume designs.

Open-Source Collaboration: TexquisiteCV embraced the spirit of open-source development. We are proud of fostering a collaborative environment where anyone can contribute to the project by creating new templates using the defined configurations. By enabling users to publish their templates, we encouraged the sharing of ideas and resources, benefiting the entire TexquisiteCV community.

Efficient Workflow Automation: We successfully implemented an automated workflow that encompassed repository generation, LaTeX file modification, and PDF compilation. This streamlined process significantly reduced the time and effort required for users to obtain their final resumes, delivering polished PDFs within minutes.

User-Centric Design: TexquisiteCV prioritized the user experience, ensuring an intuitive and visually appealing interface. By incorporating user feedback and iterative design improvements, we achieved a platform that balanced functionality, simplicity, and aesthetic appeal.

What's next for TexquisiteCV

TexquisiteCV has achieved significant milestones, but our journey doesn't end here. We have exciting plans for the future to further enhance the platform and provide even more value to our users. Here's what's next for TexquisiteCV:

Expanded Template Library: We will continue to expand our template library to offer a wide range of designs and styles to suit diverse preferences and industries. This will provide users with more options to create resumes that align with their personal branding and career goals.
Enhanced Customization Options: We aim to provide users with even more customization options for their templates. This includes additional configuration settings, font choices, color schemes, and layout variations, empowering users to create highly personalized and unique resumes.
Advanced ATS Optimization: We will further optimize resumes for compatibility with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). By leveraging industry insights and staying up-to-date with ATS requirements, we will enhance TexquisiteCV's ability to generate resumes that pass through ATS filters effectively.
Collaboration Features: We plan to introduce collaborative features, allowing users to collaborate with others on resume creation. This will enable teams, mentors, or career advisors to provide feedback, review, and contribute to the resume-building process, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment.
Integration with Professional Platforms: We aim to integrate TexquisiteCV with professional platforms, such as LinkedIn or job portals, to streamline the resume submission process. This integration will enable users to easily import their profile information and seamlessly apply for job opportunities.
Mobile-Friendly Experience: We recognize the importance of mobile accessibility. We will develop a mobile-responsive version of TexquisiteCV, allowing users to create, edit, and download their resumes conveniently from their mobile devices.
Community Contributions: We will continue to encourage and support community contributions by expanding our open-source initiative. Users will have the opportunity to contribute new templates, suggest improvements, and collaborate on the platform's development.
User Feedback and Iterative Improvements: We value user feedback and will continue to gather insights to drive iterative improvements. Listening to our users' needs and preferences is crucial in shaping the future direction of TexquisiteCV, ensuring it remains a valuable and user-centric platform.