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A faculty member from the Office of Career Development, in collaboration with undergraduate students, has developed an artificial intelligence–based platform that assesses job readiness using a three-dimensional competency model

The platform, named Pertineo, derives its name from a Latin word meaning “to be relevant.” Once users enter their background information, the system evaluates job fit and potential by integrating employment outcome data with real-time web-based information. Pertineo analyzes competencies across three axes—learning level, job suitability, and performance capability—to generate a three-dimensional profile. The resulting profile is then used to reorganize users’ experiences in line with company-specific job descriptions, talent criteria, and current industry trends.

Professor Yang-Soo Kim of the Office of Career Development, who led the platform’s design, emphasized that Pertineo is intended to strengthen the link between experience and actual job performance. “Pertineo connects applicants’ experiences directly to expected job outcomes, allowing for self-introduction statements that demonstrate clear criterion-related validity,” he said. “This enables employers to identify candidates who are better aligned with real workplace demands, while helping applicants articulate their experiences more clearly and substantively throughout the hiring process.”

Competency analysis based on three axes
The three-dimensional model is structured around learning level, job suitability, and performance capability. Learning level reflects industry-relevant learning experiences and is designed to capture the technical skills and expertise required in real workplace settings. Job suitability is evaluated in relation to a company’s strategy, direction, and desired talent profile. Performance capability relies on quantitative indicators to estimate potential job performance after employment. Users can review the results through visualized data generated by the 3D competency model and receive guidance on how to improve weaker areas. The platform is available free of charge to all enrolled KHU students. Those who secure employment may also apply for career counseling and interview coaching through the Office of Career Development.

Development of Pertineo began when Student Seungpyo Hong (Computing), encountered Professor Kim’s idea during a university-run co-curricular program and proposed implementing it using artificial intelligence. His proposal marked the starting point of the project, which later grew into a collaborative effort with Students Wonjin Kim and Byeongmin Kwak (Computing), as well as Student Hyolim Kim (Digital Contents).

Student Wonjin Kim, who worked on AI-based functionalities, said the biggest challenge was narrowing the gap between concept and implementation. “An idea can sound complete on paper, but making it work at a level that practitioners would actually accept was a different matter,” he said. “Because this platform is meant to be used in real settings, we spent a long time testing it with diverse datasets to make sure unexpected problems wouldn’t emerge later.” For Student Byeongmin Kwak, who participated in front-end development, usability was the primary concern. “We kept asking ourselves how users would feel at each step,” he said. “Working closely with designers helped us rethink how data should be processed and presented so that the platform feels intuitive rather than overwhelming.” Student Seungpyo Hong, who led back-end development, described the pressure that came with building a live service. “This wasn’t a class assignment or a competition project,” he said. “Knowing that real users would rely on the platform made reliability a constant concern, especially when working on authentication and AI streaming functions.”

Following a pilot testing phase, Pertineo was officially launched in the second semester of the 2025 academic year. As corporate recruitment processes began in September, students started using the platform in real hiring contexts. The student developers shared a common perspective shaped by their own job-search experiences. “As students on the front lines of the job market, we understand how uncomfortable it can feel to share personal career histories,” they said. “By lowering the barriers to career consulting, we hope Pertineo can be used as a practical support tool—one that students feel comfortable turning to, rather than pressured by.”