How we review applications

01The steps

• Application. One application for up to 3 positions: your details and education, then a few questions in your own words, with a short set of questions for each position you choose.
• First screen. Automated checks screen every application, including the must-have questions about hands-on work in your field. They can decline an application without a person reading it, and you can ask for a person to review any decline. A valid referral code skips this step.
• Skills assessment. A 45 to 60 minute assessment in your field, in one sitting, sent by email if you pass the first screen. You work alone and without AI tools or search; a calculator, pen and paper are fine. You give a short reason with each answer, and after you submit you explain a few of your answers out loud, which we record with your permission. The assessment is monitored to check these rules: we record your answers and your activity on the assessment page, never your camera or your screen. Clear proof of AI use declines that position automatically. Our team reviews every other completed assessment, with help from AI tools that read the answers and recordings, and a person makes each decision.
• ID check and interview. A 45-minute video interview with a founder about your own answers, where you show a government ID to the camera. Nothing from the ID is copied or stored.

Each step tells you what it involves before you start. We may change the steps; the version shown when you apply is the one that applies to you.

02How the first screen works

We review applications in steps. First, automated checks screen every application. They are fixed rules written in code, the same for everyone who applies to a position, and no AI model makes this decision. A No to a stated requirement of the work ends the application on the form. Answering No to a position’s must-have questions about hands-on work in the field, or choosing “Still learning” as your level, can decline that position, and written answers we cannot review (unreadable, the same text repeated, or the question pasted back) can decline the application, without a person reading it. We email that outcome about 3 days or more after you apply, never at once. Your other answers, such as how specific your written answers are, your experience, your degree, and whether you share a resume or links, only change the order in which applications move forward. The checks do not use your name, age or photo, and they do not try to guess whether you used AI. If you pass, we email you a skills assessment for your field. You take it without AI tools, it is monitored to check that, and after you submit you explain a few answers out loud, which we record with your permission. Our team reviews completed assessments with help from AI tools, and we may use AI to summarize your application for that person. A person makes every decision after the first screen, except that an assessment with clear proof of AI use is declined automatically; you can still ask a person to review it within 30 days. If the checks decline your application, you can ask for a person to review it within 30 days by replying to our email or through our contact page. A valid referral code from an Expert skips the first screen and takes you straight to the skills assessment.

We instruct any AI we use to treat your text as data, not as instructions. A person makes every decision after the first screen, except that a skills assessment with clear proof of AI use is declined automatically; you can ask a person to review that too.

03Asking for a person to review

If the automated checks decline your application, you can ask for a person to review it. Reply to the email that tells you, or contact us, within 30 days. Someone on our team who can change the decision then reads your full application. If a check could treat you unfairly, for example because of a disability, ask for an adjustment before you apply. Asking never counts against you.

04The questions

You answer a few questions about yourself, including the requirements of the work, then a few questions in your own words: one about a project you are proud of, one about the most notable thing you have done, your level and areas in the position’s field with one or two must-have questions about hands-on work in it (after a yes, you tell us about it in a few sentences), one question about your field, and last, why we should choose you. Specific written answers move an application up the review order; answers we cannot review (unreadable, repeated or the question pasted back) can decline it. Expert positions need people who already do the work, so choosing “Still learning” as your level can decline the application.

You may use AI tools to help you answer. We look for careless AI use, such as invented details or answers that ignore the question, not AI use itself. We do not use AI-text detectors.

05Fairness checks

We test the scoring with sample answers before it is used, check that writing style and non-native phrasing do not move scores, compare results across question groups, and re-check after any change to the checks. We record the reason for every decision.

We keep application records, assessment answers, activity and recordings, scores and decisions for 4 years after a decision, as described in our Privacy Policy.

06Referral codes

An Expert may give you a referral code. A valid referral code skips the first screen and takes you straight to the skills assessment. Everyone takes the same assessment and meets the same standard. Each code works once.

07Timing

If the first screen declines a position, we email you about 3 days or more after you apply, never at once. We aim to reply within 14 days. If it takes longer, we will email you. If you are not selected this time, contact us to be considered again after 90 days.

08Pay and work terms

Pay: Per completed task that is accepted in review. A task’s price is its estimated time times the project’s rate.

How tasks are priced: Each position page shows the rate for that field. Each task shows its price and our time estimate before you start; a task estimated at 2 hours pays twice the rate. Tasks take about 30 minutes to 5 hours. Your own time may be shorter or longer than our estimate; you are paid the task price.

Rate range: Each position’s rate is our good-faith range for that field today. Each project sets its rate inside it, and we never change the price of a task you have started. If the range changes, we update the position page.

Projects: Work happens on client projects that last from 1 month to a year, sometimes longer. Being accepted as an Expert does not guarantee a project.

Between projects: Some work between projects is paid, such as training for an upcoming project. We tell you the pay in writing before you start. Work between projects is not guaranteed.

Weekly minimum: Each project sets a weekly minimum number of accepted tasks, usually about 20 hours of estimated effort, with a weekly deadline. Tasks you submit by the deadline count toward that week once accepted, and a week counts as missed only if enough tasks were available. You choose when you work. You start within 3 days of the project’s start date.

If you miss the minimum: You are paid for all accepted work. The first miss brings a written warning that says what to do by when. A second miss ends your place on that project. A founder makes these decisions and gives the reason in writing. Experts whose work falls below the project’s written quality standard may also be replaced.

Bonuses: Bonuses mainly reward quality: a project may pay a bonus on tasks rated excellent in review. Some projects also pay a bonus for accepted tasks above the weekly minimum. Each project’s written terms set the rules: who rates, the amount and when it is paid. Bonuses are not guaranteed.

Reviewer and lead roles: Projects may add reviewer or lead roles, offered to Experts whose work is consistently strong. These roles pay a higher rate, set in the project’s written terms. They are not guaranteed.

No guarantee: There is no guaranteed project, task volume, hours or pay. Projects depend on client demand and can change, shrink or end early.

Payment: Accepted tasks are paid no later than 30 days after you submit them. IsoData never charges Experts a fee.

Benefits: No health insurance, retirement plan or paid time off, except any benefit the law requires for your engagement.

Terms: The exact prices, minimum, review standard and bonus rules for each project are in its written agreement, which you see before you join.

You may work for other companies and platforms. We do not require exclusivity. We accept applications on an ongoing basis.

You must live in the US, be at least 18 and be authorized to work in the United States. Some visas do not allow this kind of project work. If your permission to work in the US depends on a student or work visa, check with your school’s international office or an immigration lawyer before you accept any paid project. We cannot give visa advice, and we do not sponsor visas.

09Adjustments and your data

Need an adjustment to apply or to take any step, such as more time or another format? We will not ask why, and asking never counts against you. Ask us here.

You can ask to see, correct or delete your application data, or to withdraw your application, at any time through our contact page.