Setting Up Your Profile

Your profile is the foundation of your CareerTrackr experience. A complete profile enables personalized features, better AI recommendations, and a smoother job search process. Let’s walk through setting up your profile for maximum effectiveness.

Accessing Your Profile Settings

To access your profile settings:

1. Click on your avatar in the top-right corner of any page
2. Select Settings from the dropdown menu
3. You’ll see several sections to complete

Profile Information

Basic Information

Start with your basic details:

• First Name & Last Name: Used for personalization and document generation
• Email Address: Your primary contact (cannot be changed after signup)
• Phone Number: Optional but recommended for complete applications
• Location: City, State, and Country help with job matching

Time Zone Settings

Setting your correct time zone is crucial for:

• Accurate interview scheduling
• Proper reminder notifications
• Calendar synchronization

To set your time zone:

1. Navigate to the Profile section in Settings
2. Select your time zone from the dropdown
3. Click Save Changes

Notification Preferences

Customize how and when CareerTrackr communicates with you:

Email Notifications

Control which emails you receive:

• Application Updates: Get notified when application statuses change
• Interview Reminders: Receive reminders before scheduled interviews
• Weekly Summary: Get a digest of your job search activity

Reminder Timing

Set how far in advance you want interview reminders:

• 1 hour before (last-minute prep)
• 2 hours before (recommended)
• 4 hours before (time for research)
• 12 hours before (day-before reminder)
• 24 hours before (advance notice)
• 48 hours before (maximum preparation)

Default Documents

Save time by setting default documents:

Default Resume

1. Upload your master resume first (see Resume Builder guide)
2. In Settings, select your default resume from the dropdown
3. This becomes your starting point for all customizations

Default Cover Letter

1. Create a general cover letter template
2. Set it as your default in Settings
3. Customize it for each application with AI assistance

Security Settings

Session Timeout

Control how long you stay logged in during periods of inactivity:

• 15 minutes: Maximum security
• 30 minutes: High security
• 1 hour: Balanced
• 2 hours: Default setting
• 4 hours: Convenience
• 8 hours: Extended sessions
• 24 hours: Maximum convenience

Password Management

To change your password:

1. Click Change Password in the Security section
2. Enter your current password
3. Enter and confirm your new password
4. Click Update Password

Calendar Integration

Connect your Google Calendar for seamless scheduling:

Benefits of Calendar Integration

• Automatic event creation for interviews
• Two-way sync keeps everything updated
• Never double-book yourself
• Get calendar reminders on all devices

How to Connect

1. In Settings, scroll to Calendar Integration
2. Click Connect Google Calendar
3. Authorize CareerTrackr to access your calendar
4. Choose your sync preferences:
   • Two-way sync: Recommended - changes sync both ways
   • One-way to calendar: Only push to Google Calendar
   • One-way from calendar: Only pull from Google Calendar

Theme Preferences

Customize the appearance of CareerTrackr:

• Light Mode: Classic bright interface
• Dark Mode: Easier on the eyes in low light
• System: Automatically matches your device settings

To change themes:

1. Look for the theme toggle in the navigation bar
2. Click to cycle through options
3. Your preference is saved automatically

Data Management

Exporting Your Data

You own your data. Export it anytime:

1. Go to Settings > Account Management
2. Click Export Data
3. You’ll receive a ZIP file containing:
   • All applications and their history
   • Contacts and communications
   • Documents and versions
   • Activity logs

Account Deletion

If you need to delete your account:

1. Go to Settings > Account Management
2. Click Delete Account
3. Confirm by typing your email address
4. All data will be permanently removed

Best Practices

Complete Profile Benefits

A complete profile unlocks:

• Better AI resume customization
• More accurate job recommendations
• Smoother application processes
• Professional document generation

Privacy Considerations

• Your profile information is never shared with employers
• Only information you explicitly include in applications is sent
• You control what data is included in exports

Regular Updates

Keep your profile current:

• Update your location if you move
• Adjust notification preferences as needed
• Review security settings periodically
• Update default documents as you improve them

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Can’t save changes?

• Check your internet connection
• Ensure all required fields are filled
• Try refreshing the page

Calendar won’t connect?

• Ensure you’re using a Google account
• Check that you’ve granted necessary permissions
• Try disconnecting and reconnecting

Not receiving notifications?

• Check your spam folder
• Verify your email address
• Ensure notifications are enabled

Next Steps

Now that your profile is set up:

1. Add Your First Application - Start tracking opportunities
2. Upload Your Resume - Create your document foundation
3. Explore the Dashboard - Understand your command center

Your complete profile is the foundation for job search success with CareerTrackr!