DLT TalentHub

A comprehensive talent marketplace platform connecting African tech professionals with global opportunities in web2, web3, UI/UX, and all technology domains.

🌟 Introduction

DLT TalentHub is a modern, full-stack web application designed to bridge the gap between African tech talent and global job opportunities. The platform serves as a comprehensive marketplace where tech professionals can showcase their skills and companies can find the perfect candidates for their projects.

🎯 Problem We Solve

• Limited Access: African tech professionals often struggle to find quality job opportunities
• Geographic Barriers: Remote work opportunities are not easily discoverable
• Skill Mismatch: Companies find it difficult to identify qualified African talent
• Fragmented Market: No centralized platform for tech recruitment in Africa

✨ Main Features

For Tech Professionals (Talents)

• Profile Creation: Build detailed professional profiles with skills, experience, and portfolio
• Job Discovery: Browse and search for relevant job opportunities
• Application Management: Track job applications and interview status
• Skill Showcase: Highlight technical skills, certifications, and projects
• CV Upload: Upload and manage professional resumes
• Notifications: Real-time updates on job applications and opportunities

For Recruiters & Companies

• Job Posting: Create and manage detailed job listings
• Talent Search: Find qualified candidates using advanced filters
• Application Review: Manage and review job applications
• Company Profiles: Showcase company culture and opportunities
• Direct Messaging: Communicate directly with candidates
• Analytics Dashboard: Track job performance and application metrics

For Administrators

• User Management: Oversee all platform users and accounts
• Content Moderation: Ensure quality and compliance
• Platform Analytics: Monitor platform usage and performance
• System Configuration: Manage platform settings and features

🛠️ Technology Stack

Frontend

• Next.js 15 - React framework for production
• React 19 - User interface library
• TypeScript - Type-safe JavaScript
• Tailwind CSS - Utility-first CSS framework
• Radix UI - Accessible component primitives
• React Hook Form - Form state management
• Axios - HTTP client for API calls
• React Hot Toast - Notification system

Backend

• Node.js - JavaScript runtime
• Express.js - Web application framework
• MongoDB - NoSQL database
• Mongoose - MongoDB object modeling
• JWT - Authentication and authorization
• bcryptjs - Password hashing
• Cloudinary - File upload and management
• Nodemailer - Email notifications
• Swagger - API documentation

Development Tools

• Git - Version control
• npm/yarn - Package management
• ESLint - Code linting
• Prettier - Code formatting
• Jest - Testing framework

🚀 Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Node.js (v16 or higher)
• MongoDB (v4.4 or higher)
• npm or yarn package manager

Installation

1. Clone the repository

   git clone <repository-url>
   cd DLT-TALENT-HUB

2. Install backend dependencies

   cd server
   npm install

3. Install frontend dependencies

   cd ../frontend
   npm install

4. Environment Setup

   Create .env file in the server directory:

   # Server Configuration
   PORT=5000
   NODE_ENV=development
   BASE_URL=http://localhost:5000
   
   # MongoDB Configuration
   MONGO_URI=mongodb://localhost:27017/dlt-talenthub
   
   # JWT Configuration
   JWT_SECRET=your-super-secret-jwt-key
   JWT_EXPIRES_IN=15m
   REFRESH_SECRET=your-super-secret-refresh-key
   REFRESH_EXPIRES_IN=7d
   
   # Cloudinary Configuration
   CLOUDINARY_CLOUD_NAME=your-cloud-name
   CLOUDINARY_API_KEY=your-api-key
   CLOUDINARY_API_SECRET=your-api-secret
   
   # Email Configuration
   EMAIL_HOST=smtp.gmail.com
   EMAIL_PORT=587
   EMAIL_USER=your-email@gmail.com
   EMAIL_PASS=your-app-password

5. Start the development servers

   Start the backend server:

   cd server
   npm run dev

   Start the frontend development server:

   cd frontend
   npm run dev

6. Access the application

   • Frontend: http://localhost:3000
   • Backend API: http://localhost:5000
   • API Documentation: http://localhost:5000/api-docs

📖 How to Use the Application

For New Users

1. Registration

   • Visit the homepage and click "Join as Talent" or "Hire Talent"
   • Fill in your personal information (name, email, password)
   • Choose your role: Talent (job seeker) or Recruiter (employer)
   • Complete your profile with additional details

2. Profile Setup

   • Talents: Add your skills, work experience, education, and upload your CV
   • Recruiters: Add company information, logo, and company description

For Tech Professionals (Talents)

1. Browse Jobs

   • Use the search bar to find jobs by keywords, location, or job type
   • Filter jobs by experience level, salary range, or remote work options
   • Save interesting jobs to your favorites

2. Apply for Jobs

   • Click on a job listing to view full details
   • Review job requirements and company information
   • Click "Apply Now" and submit your application
   • Track your application status in your dashboard

3. Manage Your Profile

   • Keep your skills and experience up to date
   • Upload a professional photo and updated CV
   • Set your availability and preferred work arrangements

For Recruiters

1. Post Jobs

   • Go to your dashboard and click "Post New Job"
   • Fill in job details: title, description, requirements, salary
   • Set application deadline and job type (full-time, part-time, contract)
   • Publish the job listing

2. Review Applications

   • Check your dashboard for new applications
   • Review candidate profiles and CVs
   • Shortlist candidates and schedule interviews
   • Send messages to candidates directly

3. Manage Your Company

   • Update company information and logo
   • Add team members and set permissions
   • View analytics on job performance

For Administrators

1. User Management

   • Monitor all registered users
   • Approve or suspend user accounts
   • Handle user reports and disputes

2. Content Moderation

   • Review job postings for compliance
   • Monitor user-generated content
   • Ensure platform quality standards

🔧 Development

Running Tests

# Backend tests
cd server
npm test

# Frontend tests
cd frontend
npm test

Building for Production

# Build frontend
cd frontend
npm run build

# Start production server
cd server
npm start

Code Quality

# Lint code
npm run lint

# Format code
npm run format

📁 Project Structure

DLT-TALENT-HUB/
├── frontend/                 # Next.js frontend application
│   ├── app/                 # App router pages and components
│   ├── components/          # Reusable UI components
│   ├── context/            # React context providers
│   ├── hooks/              # Custom React hooks
│   ├── lib/                # Utility functions and API client
│   ├── public/             # Static assets
│   └── types/              # TypeScript type definitions
├── server/                 # Node.js/Express backend
│   ├── config/             # Configuration files
│   ├── controllers/        # Route controllers
│   ├── middleware/         # Express middleware
│   ├── models/             # MongoDB models
│   ├── routes/             # API routes
│   ├── utils/              # Utility functions
│   └── validators/         # Input validation
└── README.md              # Project documentation

🤝 Contributing

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch (git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature)
3. Commit your changes (git commit -m 'Add amazing feature')
4. Push to the branch (git push origin feature/amazing-feature)
5. Open a Pull Request

📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

🆘 Support

If you encounter any issues or have questions:

1. Check the API Documentation for backend endpoints
2. Review the existing issues in the repository
3. Create a new issue with detailed information about your problem

🔮 Future Enhancements

• Mobile Application: Native iOS and Android apps
• AI-Powered Matching: Smart job-candidate matching algorithms
• Video Interviews: Integrated video calling for remote interviews
• Skill Assessments: Automated technical skill testing
• Payment Integration: Secure payment processing for premium features
• Multi-language Support: Support for multiple African languages

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