Free
£0Free forever
Your first look at FirstLook.
- 1 active role
- 20 applications per role
Cut through the AI application flood
Hundreds of
applications.A better way to choose
who to interview.
AI makes it easy to send polished applications. Too many sound the same. FirstLook asks candidates to answer one short question before you see their CV. Read their answers blind, see how they were written, and decide who's worth meeting.
1 role. 20 applications. No credit card needed.
One question. Your role.
Your campaign gets clicks, but few enquiries. What would you check first?
Identity hidden. Work first.
Candidate #1
92/100I'd start by checking whether the drop in enquiries is real. I'd submit a test enquiry on desktop and mobile, then check that it reaches the team and appears in our reporting...
Answer continues12m 34sTime spent
98%Typed
24Edits
High effort
You make the call.
Illustrative example
See the work before the CV
Review answers blind
Human decisions, always
The problem with applications
More applications.
Less to go on.
A polished CV or cover letter used to tell you something about a candidate. Now AI can write one in seconds. Finding the people worth meeting takes a different first look.
3×
More applications per hire
Applications per hire have tripled in the last few years, according to Ashby's recruiting data.
75%
Use AI when applying
Three quarters of job seekers in Software Finder's survey used AI in their application process.
23hrs
To screen 250 CVs
HirePro's research puts screening a pool of 250 CVs at almost three working days.
A simpler place to start
One question.
A better first look.
Set up a role, share your link, and see the work before the CV.
1Write your question
Write one short question relevant to the job. Choose a written or code challenge. We'll help you write a good one.
2Share your link
Add it to your job advert or send it to applicants. Candidates answer your question before uploading their CV.
3Choose who to interview
Read the answers blind, with effort signals alongside them. Reveal the CVs of the people you want to know more about.
Take a closer look
See the answer.
Understand the effort.
What did they say? How did they put it together? FirstLook gives you both. You judge the answer.
Written assessment · Identity hidden
Candidate #1
Effort score 92/100The question
Your campaign gets plenty of clicks, but few enquiries. What would you check first?
I'd start by checking whether the drop in enquiries is real. I'd submit a test enquiry on desktop and mobile, then check that it reaches the team and appears in our reporting. If the form works but tracking doesn't, changing the campaign could make things worse.
Next, I'd compare the search terms and audience targeting with the enquiries we actually want. Lots of cheap clicks aren't much use if they're from people looking for something we don't offer. I'd break the results down by device, source and landing page to see whether the problem is across the campaign or concentrated in one place.
Answer continues
How the answer was writtenHigh effort
12m 34sTime spent
98%Typed
24Edits
2Tab switches
Signals for you to weigh alongside the answer. Nothing is rejected automatically.
Jess Taylor
Marketing manager with experience in paid search, campaign reporting and conversion testing.
Fictional candidate profile for this example.Try switching between candidates, then reveal a CV. Effort scores are out of 100. All responses, scores and signals here are illustrative.
Want the full tour?Built around your judgement
Good hiring still
needs a human.
FirstLook gives you a better first look at candidates. The decision about who's worth meeting stays with you.
Signals, not verdicts.
Time spent, typing versus pasting, edits and tab switches give you context. We don't claim to know who wrote an answer. You judge the work.
AI use? You decide.
Happy for candidates to use AI? Switch on AI-allowed mode and ask them to explain how they used it. Set expectations that make sense for your role.
For every team
that's hiring.
One role or a full recruitment pipeline. Give candidates a chance to show you more.
Start with your next role
One-off job or
ongoing hiring.
Try it free, pay for one role, or choose a plan for your team.
One-off
£49per role
One hire on your horizon.
- 1 role per purchase
- Unlimited applications
Starter
For growing teams£79per month
Keep your hiring moving.
- 5 active roles
- Unlimited applications
Professional
£199per month
More roles. More possibilities.
- 20 active roles
- Unlimited applications
Every plan includes written and code assessments, effort signals and CV reveal.
A few things to know
Good questions.
Straight answers.
Need a hand with your first assessment? Tell us about the role.
Talk to usDoes FirstLook reject candidates automatically?
No. FirstLook gives you an effort score and shows how each answer was written. You judge the quality of the response, choose whose CV to reveal, and decide who to interview. Nothing is rejected automatically.
Can you tell if an answer was written with AI?
We don't claim to detect AI-written answers. We show time spent, typing versus pasting, edits and tab switches so you can judge for yourself. If you're happy for candidates to use AI, switch on AI-allowed mode and ask them to explain how they used it.
What can I do on the free plan?
Create one active role and receive up to 20 applications. You get written and code assessments, effort signals and CV reveal. No credit card needed. Upgrade when you need more applications or roles.
How long should the question take?
We recommend 15-30 minutes. Keep it short and relevant to the job. Give candidates enough time to show how they think without asking for hours of unpaid work.
Can I use FirstLook with my current hiring process?
Yes. Every role gets an application link you can add to a job advert, share on your careers page or send directly to candidates. Review their answers in FirstLook, then continue with your usual interview process.
Give your next hire
a better first look.
Start with one question. See the work before the CV. Choose who to interview with more to go on.