Interview with Simon Peter Damian: From Nigerian Network Engineer to AI-Powered Job Search Pioneer

An in-depth conversation with the founder of FlashApply.ai about entrepreneurship, AI

automation, and revolutionising the job search process.

Simon Peter Damian, AI-Powered Job Search Pioneer.

Q: Simon, you've had quite a journey from starting as a network engineer in Lagos to

founding FlashApply.ai. Can you walk us through your early days and what sparked

your transition into software development?

A: My journey began in 2009 when I was working as an intern network engineer in Lagos. I was deep into networking, but then I discovered Visual Basic 6, and something just clicked. I became fascinated with the idea of building things that people could use. I spent the next two years freelancing, building desktop applications for Windows, and I was very active in developer communities like Dreamincode.net.

What really drove me was this maker mentality – I wanted to build solutions to real problems.

From there, I evolved through different technologies: classic ASP, PHP, Apache, and eventually into mobile development with Apache Cordova and Ionic/Angular frameworks.

Each step taught me something new about solving problems at scale.

Q: Your technical stack has evolved significantly over the years. How do you decide which technologies to adopt for different projects?

A: It's really about matching the right tool to the problem you're solving. When I joined an

outsourcing company in 2015, I was introduced to Ruby on Rails, React, and Elixir – and I

spent four years really mastering those technologies. Now I work primarily with Go, JavaScript, Ruby, and PHP, depending on the project needs.

For FlashApply.ai, I chose Go for its excellent concurrency handling and Python for AI model

training. The frontend uses Electron.js because I needed cross-platform compatibility. The key is understanding that technology is just a means to an end – what matters is building

something that solves people's problems effectively.

Q: FlashApply.ai takes a unique approach with its desktop-first, privacy-focused model. Why did you choose this over the typical SaaS approach?

A: This was a deliberate decision based on two major concerns: privacy and cost. When you're job hunting, you're sharing incredibly sensitive information – your resume, cover

letters, personal details. Most SaaS tools process this data in the cloud, often storing it on

third-party servers. That's a significant privacy risk.

By building FlashApply as a desktop application, all user data stays on their device. We support both cloud-based LLMs like GPT-4 and Claude through API keys, but we also integrate local models like Ollama for users who want complete data sovereignty.

The cost factor is equally important. Our infrastructure costs were running about $500 a day

because of the extensive job searching we do – we generate multiple job title variants based

on each user's resume. A desktop model shifts these computational costs from our servers

to the user's device, making the service more sustainable and affordable.

Q: How does FlashApply.ai differentiate itself from other job search automation tools in the market?

A: The key differentiator is our comprehensive approach to job search automation. We don't

just scrape job boards – we go directly to company websites to find opportunities that aren't

posted on crowded platforms like LinkedIn or Indeed. This gives our users access to jobs

that have less competition.

Our AI-powered matching goes beyond keyword matching. We analyse the user's skills,

experience, and preferences to suggest roles that are genuinely aligned with their career

goals. The autofill feature can reduce manual input by up to 90%, and our batch application

system lets users apply to multiple positions efficiently.

We also include interview preparation tools that generate personalised questions based on

specific job descriptions and provide resume critiques. It's not just about applying to jobs –

It's about preparing users for the entire hiring process.

Q: You've mentioned that your pricing strategy focuses on one-time payments rather than subscriptions. Can you explain the reasoning behind this approach?

A: Through extensive testing, we found that our sweet spot was a $79 one-time fee for three

months of service. Users were willing to pay this amount because they saw it as a clear, finite investment in their job search, not an ongoing commitment. When we tried a $99 monthly subscription, conversion rates dropped significantly.

This aligns with our philosophy of democratising job search tools. When someone is unemployed, they're already under financial stress. Adding another monthly subscription

feels exploitative. Our one-time payment model respects that reality while still allowing us to

provide excellent service.

From a business perspective, it also differentiated us from competitors who rely on recurring

revenue models. Users appreciate the transparency and the fact that they're not locked into

ongoing payments.

Q: What role does AI play in FlashApply.ai, and how do you see AI changing the job search landscape?

A: AI is central to everything we do. We use machine learning for job matching, natural language processing for resume optimisation, and automation for application processes. But

I think we're just scratching the surface of what's possible.

Looking at the broader landscape, I believe AI will fundamentally transform how people find

and apply for jobs. We're already seeing this with tools that can write cover letters, optimise

resumes, and even prepare candidates for interviews. The challenge is ensuring these tools

serve job seekers, not just employers.

However, I'm also concerned about the long-term implications. AI could transform programming and other white-collar jobs to the point where we might see permanent

unemployment rates of 20-30%. This is why tools like FlashApply.ai are so important – they

give job seekers better tools to compete in an increasingly automated world.

Q: You've worked extensively with startups and MVPs. What are the key lessons you've learned about building products for early-stage companies?

A: The most important lesson is to focus ruthlessly on solving a real problem. Too many

Startups build products that are technically impressive but don't address genuine pain points.

With FlashApply.ai, I was motivated by watching my girlfriend and friends struggle with job

searches. That personal connection to the problem kept me focused on building something

actually useful. Speed is crucial in the startup world, but not at the expense of quality. I've learned to build MVPs that are simple but robust. It's better to have a few features that work exceptionally well than many features that work poorly.

Another key insight is the importance of understanding your users deeply. B2C users, for

example, hate limitations on the number of jobs they can apply for. They want comprehensive service, especially when they're unemployed. These insights only come from actually talking to your users and watching how they interact with your product.

Q: How do you approach user acquisition and marketing for FlashApply.ai?

A: We rely heavily on organic social media rather than paid advertising. Facebook groups,

Reddit posts, and Twitter have been our most effective channels. The key is being authentic

and helpful rather than pushy.

We learned this lesson the hard way. When we tried Google Ads, we attracted users

primarily interested in relocation jobs, which wasn't our target audience. Now we focus on

using terms like "AI to help you find and apply to jobs" rather than industry jargon like "outplacement", which most people don't understand.

Social media has been particularly effective because good content continues to attract users

months after we post it. A helpful comment in the right Facebook group can drive users for

months without any additional investment.

Q: You've been involved in mentoring other developers. What advice do you give to aspiring software engineers and entrepreneurs?

A: For developers, I emphasise the importance of continuous learning and building things.

Technology evolves rapidly, so you need to stay curious and keep experimenting. Don't just

learn frameworks – understand the underlying principles. This allows you to adapt as

technologies change.

For entrepreneurs, I stress the importance of understanding both the technical and business

sides. I found the business side much more challenging than the technical aspects. You need to understand your market, your users, and your unit economics. Technical skills will

get you so far, but business acumen is what makes the difference between a side project

and a successful company.

Most importantly, solve real problems. Build things that people need, not just things that are technically interesting.

Q: What's your perspective on the current state of the job market and where it's heading?

A: The job market is in a state of significant transition. We're seeing increasing unemployment rates, but also a growing disconnect between job seekers and employers.

Traditional outplacement services often fail because they lack transparency and don't provide real value to job seekers.

At the same time, AI is creating both opportunities and challenges. While AI tools can help

job seekers be more effective, they're also potentially displacing jobs across many industries. This creates a need for better, more accessible tools to help people navigate

these changes.

I believe the future belongs to platforms that empower individual job seekers rather than just

serving employers. Tools that provide transparency, efficiency, and genuine value will be

essential as the job market continues to evolve.

Q: You moved from Nigeria to the US, then to Canada. How has this international experience shaped your entrepreneurial perspective?

A: Each country has taught me something different about entrepreneurship. The US has this

incredible risk-taking culture that encourages innovation. If you have a good idea, people are willing to listen and potentially invest. The ecosystem there really supports entrepreneurship.

Canada is excellent for family life and has great technical talent, but the venture capital

environment is more conservative. Canadian VCs are often hesitant to invest in unproven

ideas, which can be challenging for early-stage startups.

Nigeria taught me resourcefulness and the importance of building solutions that work in

resource-constrained environments. This perspective has been valuable in building

FlashApply.ai – we focus on efficiency and providing real value rather than flashy features.

Q: What's next for FlashApply.ai and your broader vision for the future of work?

A: We're continuously improving our AI models and expanding our job source coverage.

We're also exploring ways to make the platform even more accessible, potentially offering

Free tiers supported by local processing.

My broader vision is about giving job seekers more control and better tools. The current

system often feels stacked against individual job seekers. They're competing against automated systems with outdated tools and limited information.

I want to level the playing field. Whether that's through better automation, more transparency, or new approaches to matching people with opportunities, the goal is to make

Job searching is more efficient and less stressful for everyone.

Q: Any final advice for our readers who might be job hunting or considering starting

their ventures?

A: For job seekers: Don't be afraid to use technology to your advantage. The job market is

competitive, but there are tools available that can help you be more effective. Just make

sure you're using tools that respect your privacy and actually provide value.

For aspiring entrepreneurs: start with a problem you genuinely understand and care about.

The technical challenges are usually solvable – it's the market understanding and persistence that make the difference. And don't be afraid to talk to your potential users early

and often. They'll tell you what you need to build.

Most importantly, remember that both job searching and entrepreneurship are marathons,

not sprints. Stay focused on providing real value, and the rest will follow.

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Key Takeaways from this exclusive Q&A interview with Simon Peter Damian the AI-Powered Job Search Pioneer founder of FlashApply.ai

🚀 Privacy-First Innovation: FlashApply.ai's desktop-first approach keeps user data local, addressing growing privacy concerns in job search automation while reducing infrastructure costs.

💡 Problem-Driven Development: Damian's success stems from solving real problems he witnessed firsthand - friends and family struggling with inefficient job search processes. This propelled him to become the AI-Powered Job Search Pioneer that he is today.

💰 Smart Pricing Strategy: One-time payments ($79 for 3 months) convert better than subscriptions for job seekers, respecting users' financial stress during unemployment.

🤖 AI as an Equalizer: Job search automation tools can level the playing field between individual seekers and corporate recruiting systems, but must focus on genuine user value.

🌍 Global Entrepreneurship Insights: Different countries offer distinct advantages - US for risk-taking culture, Canada for talent and stability, Nigeria for resourcefulness.

📈 Organic Growth Focus: Authentic social media engagement in relevant communities outperforms paid advertising for B2C job search tools.

⚡ Technology Philosophy: Choose tools based on problem requirements, not trends - Go for concurrency, Python for AI, Electron for cross-platform needs.

🎯 User-Centric Design: B2C users hate limitations and want comprehensive service, especially when unemployed - understanding these preferences drives product decisions.

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Simon Peter Damian is the founder of FlashApply.ai and a software engineer with over 15

years of experience in full-stack development. He currently splits his time between a few projects and working with early-stage startups on MVP development. You can follow his insights on software engineering and entrepreneurship on his blog at theterminalguy.sh.