How screening really works
Three things to know first
Screeners test, they don't read certificates
AI interviews, timed tasks and writing samples decide most applications. A PDF badge rarely changes the result.
Proof beats paper
A public project, a test score or a sample of your writing shows what you can do in seconds.
You often get one attempt
Many platforms limit retries on a failed assessment for months. Prepare before you apply, not after.
Pick your track
Four ways in
AI training & evaluation
Rate, compare and correct AI answers carefully enough to pass a writing or rubric test.
Time
1–3 weeks
Spend
$0
Pay
Roughly $10–$40/hr for general work
Unlocks: Ethos · Rex.zone · Mercor
Open the track
Software engineering
Get through coding tests and AI interviews for coding evaluation work and remote developer roles.
Time
4–8 weeks
Spend
$0
Pay
Coding evaluation often pays more than general work
Unlocks: Mercor · Coding projects on Ethos · Remote developer jobs
Open the track
English proof (C1 level)
Show your English level with a recognised score instead of saying "fluent" on your profile.
Time
1 day to test; longer to improve
Spend
$0–$70
Pay
Opens doors rather than raising pay directly
Unlocks: Most global platforms · Remote roles in English-speaking teams
Open the track
Domain experts
Turn a degree or work experience in law, medicine, finance or science into well-paid expert AI projects.
Time
Depends on your existing credentials
Spend
$0
Pay
Expert projects can pay $100+/hr
Unlocks: Ethos expert projects · Mercor expert projects
Open the track
Save your money
Proof that works vs. badges that don't
Moves the needle
- • Practise writing short critiques of AI answers (AI evaluation)
- • One or two finished projects on GitHub (Engineering)
- • EF SET English test (English)
- • Your real credentials, clearly listed (Experts)
Usually a waste
- • Paid "prompt engineering" certificates (AI evaluation)
- • Certificates of completion with no project (Engineering)
- • Online English "completion" certificates (English)
- • Short overview webinars and online badges (Experts)