Crossover’s Basic Fit Check [Official AI Screening Guide]

Are you fit for the role you’re applying for?

We get it – our jobs are flexible, AI-forward and highly paid. Who wouldn’t want to apply to all of them? That’s why the more competitive the job – the more applications pour in.

And in today’s hectic job market that means tens of thousands of candidates volleying for a single job.

At Crossover it’s even more intense - because we only hire the top 1% of applicants, and sometimes not even that if we can’t find the right fit.

The reality is -

• 78% of applicants apply for roles they’re unfit for
• 42% of applicants don’t meet the basic skill requirements for a job
• And the average job seeker applies 400-750 times before landing a role

No wonder 52% of recruiters say that applicant screening is the hardest part of hiring. It’s brutal – for them and for you!

We hate that.

The last thing we want is for top talent to get buried under a pile of misaligned resumes.

But sheer volume, misalignment and drastic resource investment has made basic screening checks darn near impossible to get right.  

Until now.

Our team built something better: an AI-powered interviewer.

So, before we unleash the full force of our hiring process (yes, it's rigorous - we’re not shy about that), you’ll meet our AI Interviewer for a chat screening that we call the Basic Fit Check.

It’s smart, unbiased, and designed to make sure the job that you’re applying for actually makes sense for you - and vice versa.

In a Stanford-led study, candidates who passed AI interviews moved forward at nearly double the success rate of those screened by traditional resume reviews - 53.12% vs 28.57%.

As a first-line screener, it slaps. But it’s just the beginning!

This is step 1 of a multi-stage process that includes:

•  An initial AI chatbot interview for basic fit
• The CCAT (Cognitive aptitude test)
• Skills-based assessments and real work simulations
• The PCCAT (A proctored cognitive aptitude test)
• Interview(s) with a hiring manager
• A final hiring decision (job offer!)

We start with the Basic Fit Check because it’s fast, fair, and saves everyone’s time.

If the role isn’t right for you, this step helps flag that early - before you invest energy in tough assessments like the CCAT or a real work simulation.

This isn’t a test of how smart you are or what your personality type is. It’s an alignment check.

Are you applying to be a brain surgeon when your resume screams rocket scientist? Wrong job. Still smart.

This step just makes sure you’re aiming at the right target.

Here’s How This Guide Will Help:

• Explain exactly what the Basic Fit Check is (and what it isn’t).
• Show you what kind of questions to expect (don’t worry, it’s not a pop quiz).
• Help you prepare so you’re not caught off guard.
• Demystify why we use AI to screen candidates in the first place.

So, if you're wondering what this mysterious AI chatbot will actually ask - and how to make the most of it - you’re in the right place.

Let’s walk through it together.

#1: What Is the Basic Fit Check?

Crossover’s Basic Fit Check is a quick, AI-powered conversation with a chatbot that checks whether your past work experience aligns with the role you’re applying for.

The screening usually takes around 15–20 minutes (carve out 30 just incase).

It’s not a test, and it’s not making a hiring decision. It’s just checking if your background hits the baseline needed by the hiring company to move forward.

#2: Why Was the BFC Added to the Hiring Process?

Some candidates told us they passed the CCAT but were later removed from consideration because they didn’t meet key job requirements.

This first-step screening solves that problem upfront. It makes sure that you’re applying for the right role before you dive into tougher tests.

#3: What is The Purpose of The Basic Fit Check?

Think of the Basic Fit Check as your first conversation with Crossover - just with an AI instead of a recruiter.

Our chatbot’s job is simple - to make sure your experience, education, and skills actually line up with the role you’re applying for. It’s fast, friendly, and built to feel like a real conversation - without the small talk or bias.

#4: Why Does Crossover Use AI for This Step?

The simple answer is that it saves everyone (applicants & hiring managers) time.

Think of it like applying to an Ivy League school. With tens of thousands of applicants, there’s always a first-pass filter to check if you meet the non-negotiables before anyone gets invited to interview. That’s what our AI chatbot does.

• Speeds up the hiring process and reduces frustration (73% of applicants appreciate a faster application process and want an automated result!)
• Guarantees unbiased screening free of human intervention
• Removes the manual guesswork from early-stage hiring
• Plus 61% of HR leaders are already using AI for hiring (and high volume recruiting!)

Crossover literally receives thousands of applications for every role, from candidates across the globe. Traditional hiring is slow, biased, and often based on who you know rather than what you can do. That’s why we do things differently from the very first step.

Instead of handing your resume off to a distracted recruiter juggling 300 other applicants, you’ll start with our chatbot – and get a fair, focused experience.

Our AI interviewer removes unnecessary blockers so that the right candidates can get to the real tests - where skills do the talking.

We know AI can amplify hiring bias, so we actively program it out.

It’s trained to NOT discriminate based on name, race, gender, age, sexuality, religion, location or anything else. And its sole goal is to let in candidates who meet the job spec – that’s it.

The AI helps us quickly and fairly screen for the minimum must-haves - so you’re not spending hours on tests for a role that isn’t a match, and we’re not missing out on people who are.

This is our way of getting the alignment check out of the way early - so the right people move forward faster.

#5: Is This the Same as an ATS?

Heck no.

Traditional Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan for keywords and can eliminate great candidates over minor issues like formatting. Yikes!

Crossover’s AI is smarter. It holds a conversation with you, asks follow-ups, and looks for real signals of fit - not just empty buzzwords.

• AI interviewers are exceptional at resume screening! They have the ability to parse, rank and understand contextual information in ways that ATS keyword filters just can’t.
• AI can assess how your experience was applied using smart filtering.

#6: What Does the AI Chatbot Do?

It’s doing what old school phone interviews once did – screen! At this stage, our chatbot isn’t evaluating your talent, testing your skills, or deciding your fate.

Its job is much simpler.

It checks whether your professional background aligns with the minimum requirements of the role you’ve applied for. That’s all.

It does this by reviewing two things:

• The resume you submit
• The answers you provide during the Basic Fit Check

It’s looking for specific signals that match the must-have experience listed in the job description - like tools you’ve used, years in a relevant role, or the industries you’ve worked in.

Make sure it’s all there in your resume, for maximum impact!

Remember! Hiring decisions are made further along the hiring process by human subject matter experts.

#7: How Long Does the AI Interview Take?

The whole conversation usually takes 15–20 minutes, depending on your pace. It can go on for longer, if it hasn’t secured the information from you that it needs for assessment. To be safe, give yourself a 30 minute window to answer these questions. 

Top tip! If you find the AI talking in circles, ask it to ask you something else, or explain things in another way.

#8: Where Do I Start the Basic Fit Check?

Log in to your Crossover account, head to "Current Applications," and click "Start Assessment" next to your preferred job application.

#9: What Happens Once I Start the Interview?

You’ll see a short intro about what to expect, how long it takes, and how to answer well. Then you’ll upload your resume (PDF format recommended).

Once that’s processed, the chatbot will open with a welcome message. You choose when to begin. You can pause and resume the interview at any time.

#10: What Kind of Questions Will I Be Asked?

Don’t worry - this isn’t a coding challenge or a surprise linguistics test.

The questions in the Basic Fit Check are non-technical and are entirely experience-based.

You can expect questions like:

• What kind of work have you done in similar roles?
• How have you used specific tools or technologies listed in the job description?
• Give me an example of a time you did X using Y?
• Tell me more about X project when you achieved a specific outcome

This chat isn’t trying to dig up obscure details from your career, but it is looking for detail and context - generic answers like “I worked in sales” won’t get you far.

#11: How Detailed Should My Answers Be?

Be specific. The more context you give, the better the AI can match your experience to the role.

• Weak: “I worked with customers at my last job.”
• Stronger: “I spent two years as an Account Manager handling 20+ B2B clients using Salesforce daily.”
• Weak: “I’ve done some project management.”
• Stronger: “I led a cross-functional team of 8 engineers on a 6‑month product launch using Agile sprints and Jira.”
• Weak: “I worked with data.”
• Stronger: “I built automated dashboards in Power BI and SQL that tracked KPIs for 5 global departments.”
• Weak: “I’ve used AI tools before.”
• Stronger: “I use ChatGPT and Midjourney to automate content drafts and visual briefs, cutting my workflow time by 40%.”
• Weak: “I have teaching experience.”
• Stronger: “I taught high‑school math for three years and designed AI‑assisted lesson plans that improved student test scores by 22%.”

This level of detail gives the AI something meaningful to work with.

Tip: Treat it like a highly analytical human interview - be specific, honest, and relevant to the role you applied for.

#12: Can I Pause or Restart the Interview?

You can pause and resume the chat at any time, but you CAN’T restart the interview. Once it’s submitted, it’s done - so make it count.

#13: How Should I Prepare for the BFC?

Good news!

You don’t need to study for this one, but a bit of prep will help you put your best foot forward – after all, you get ONE shot per job.

• Review the job description: Before you start, skim the role you applied for - especially the ‘must-have’ qualifications. The AI will check your responses against those points, so it helps to have them fresh in your mind.
• Align your resume with the description: AI is smarter than AT systems, but it still uses your resume as a data source, which means the content matters. To amplify your chances of getting in, streamline keywords, titles and make sure there are ample metric talking points the AI can ask you about.
• Set up your space: Find a nice, quiet spot with a stable internet connection and no distractions. While it’s not timed, a smooth run without interruptions will make it easier to stay focused and finish in one go. You still want to perform well, this is not a throwaway chat that you can redo!
• Jot down key stories: Think of a few strong stories or examples from relevant past roles that show you’ve done similar work before. Bonus points if they include tools, results, or relevant industries. Make sure what you say aligns with your metric detail.
• Get in the right mindset: This isn’t a trap. The chatbot isn’t trying to catch you out - it’s trying to confirm that you’re applying for the right opportunity. So, take a breath, be yourself, and answer like you would in a real conversation.

#14: What Happens If the AI Keeps Going Beyond 20 Minutes?

Sometimes, the chatbot will get stuck on a question and ask you variations of the same thing. You CAN tell it to move on and ask something else!

You don’t have to be polite to it (it’s AI) – if it doesn’t seem like it’s getting to a point, redirect it. If it still seems buggy, click the ‘need help’ button above the hiring process on your dashboard.

This is new technology, and while we’re confident in the outcomes – things can get interesting from time to time. Tell us when they do!

#15: Can I Fail Because of My Resume Format?

No. The AI reads for content, not design. That said, we only accept PDFs for this reason. They’re easy for the AI to parse regardless of graphics.  

To help it help you:

• Use a clean, simple layout
• Label job titles and companies clearly
• Make sure ALL experience related to the job is detailed in the resume
• In this case MORE is better (AI doesn’t care about length)
• Be prepared to account for gaps in your resume, if asked

#16: Can I Redo the Interview If I Make a Mistake?

No, the BFC can only be completed once per job.

#17: What Happens After the Basic Fit Check?

Once you finish your Basic Fit Check, the AI will review your resume and chat responses to check for alignment with the role’s must-have requirements.

This can take anything from a few minutes to a few hours. As a rule of thumb, check back in after 24 hours.

If you pass…

You’ll immediately move on to the next step: the CCAT, our cognitive aptitude test.

From there, you may be invited to complete skills-based assessments or a real-work simulation, depending on the role. Each step is designed to measure what you can do - not just what you say you’ve done.

Pass this stage, and you’re on your way to joining the top 1% of global remote professionals we hire.

If you don’t pass…

Don’t sweat it. This doesn’t mean you’re not talented - it just means your experience doesn’t align closely enough with this particular role. You can absolutely apply for other roles that are a better fit.

Just use the same Crossover account, and the AI will remember your previous application to speed things up.

#18: How Do I Pass the BFC?

Easy!

Just show that your experience matches the job you applied for. That means you’re serious about the job from the get-go.

You can’t game the system, cheat or BS your way through this. You have to be yourself and you have to tell the truth.

The AI is looking for clear signals that you meet the minimum qualifications listed in the job description - things like relevant roles you’ve held, tools you’ve used, industries you’ve worked in, or outcomes you’ve delivered.

Here’s what helps:

• Be specific. Don’t just say “I managed projects.” Say “I led a remote team of 5 using Asana to deliver 12+ software releases in one year.”
• Stick to what matters. Focus on the experience that directly aligns with the role.
• Be honest. The AI isn’t grading you - but your answers do affect what happens next.
• Read the job description again. Know what the role requires before you click “start.”

If your background checks out, you’ll move on to the next step.

#19: How Does the AI Help Me as a Candidate?

We thought long and hard about where AI would have the most benefit for everyone in the hiring process.

Crossover’s AI chatbot makes everything fairer, faster and a whole lot less frustrating than traditional resume screening and hiring.

• It remembers who you are: Once you’ve completed a Basic Fit Check, the AI keeps your info on file. So, if you apply for another similar role later, it can skip repeat questions, which shortens the chat. That means less time retyping the same stuff and more time focusing on roles that match your goals.
• It levels the playing field: Whether you're applying from São Paulo or Singapore, the AI evaluates everyone using the same criteria. So, there is no unconscious bias or resume favoritism. Everyone has an equal shot based on MERIT.
•  It removes human guesswork: This stage isn’t based on gut feelings or hunches. The chatbot uses structured, role-specific logic to check for alignment - and only alignment. Humans review things later in the process, but at this step, it’s all about objectivity and fairness, a core part of the Crossover hiring model.
• It already knows your resume: Unlike most recruiters who skim your CV (if you’re lucky), the chatbot actually reads your full resume - instantly. That means you won’t waste time repeating what’s already there. Instead, it focuses the chat on pulling out the key signals that show why you’re a great fit.

If everything goes according to plan, you’ll quickly move onto the next hiring hurdle, or be directed to a job that better suits you.

#20: Does The Basic Fit Check Matter?

At Crossover, we don’t compromise on quality.

The Basic Fit Check exists to protect the integrity of our hiring bar from the very first step. Every role we offer is designed for high-performing professionals - and this interview ensures that only candidates with the right experience get in.

So, while it does reduce applicant volume it also upholds our high standards – an essential part of our process. This step guarantees that what comes next - from the CCAT to the real work simulations - is only seen by those truly positioned to succeed.

That way, when you clear the tests and interviews, we can offer you a job we’re certain you’ll love.

You’ve Taken the First Step

Every great journey starts with alignment – and that’s what this step is about.

The Basic Fit Check doesn’t exist to judge your intelligence or reduce you to a keyword. It exists to make sure that you’re aiming for the right role from day one.

Because when the fit is right, everything that comes after - from CCAT to the skills tests and real work simulations - becomes an opportunity, not an obstacle.

At Crossover, we don’t waste talent. We don’t care where you went to school or how fancy your job titles were. We care if you can DO the work - and BE a high performer.

The Basic Fit Check helps us spot that brilliance early - so we can get you to the real challenge faster.

Anyone can get through a chatbot interview. But ours is about stepping into a hiring process that was built to find and reward top performers from anywhere in the world - based on what you can do, not who you know.

With candidates from over 130 countries, and clients who only hire the top 1%, we’ve reimagined what fair, fast, global hiring can look like.

And it starts here.

So, take a breath, get aligned, and bring your A-game.

These are the big leagues.

Apply now.