The disclosed embodiments provide a system for processing data. During operation, the system obtains answers by a candidate to assessments related to qualifications for one or more opportunities. Next, the system applies a machine learning model to the answers and additional qualifications for an additional opportunity to produce a match score between the candidate and the additional opportunity. The system then compares the match score to a threshold to determine a recommendation related to applying to the additional opportunity by the candidate. Finally, the system outputs the recommendation in association with the additional opportunity.