What is A-Cai, our AI interviewer? How does it differ from an interview with a human consultant?
A-Cai, our AI interviewer, was developed in-house by Step1ne. After you apply, you'll first have a formal conversation with A-Cai lasting 20 to 40 minutes, equivalent to a first-round interview with a human consultant. The transcript is then reviewed by a human consultant, who decides whether to recommend you to the hiring company. A-Cai never makes the final hire-or-reject decision; that step is always checked by a person.
How does A-Cai actually work?
The process is simpler than you might think—roughly these steps:
- First, apply on the job page. Fill in basic info and your resume, about 2 minutes
- Some roles will first ask you to take a work-style assessment. It takes about 5–7 minutes, there are no right answers, and you'll get a personal report afterward
- Enter the interview room. A-Cai first spends about half a minute reviewing your résumé and application, then opens the conversation, explains roughly how long the interview will take, and asks you to treat it like a formal interview
- The conversation takes 20 to 40 minutes. You mainly reply by typing; if the role requires verifying spoken foreign-language ability, A-Cai will ask you to record a short voice answer
- When the interview ends, leave a rating and comments (optional). However it went, you can let a consultant know directly from the screen
- A human consultant reviews the transcript. If all is well, it goes to the employer; if any stage stalls along the way, we'll let you know, so you won't be left waiting
If A-Cai happens to be talking with another candidate, you'll be asked to choose a convenient waiting slot, and we'll notify you again before that time—you won't be left hanging after you type. This is also something we should say honestly: the number of interview sessions we can run at the same time is currently limited, so when it's busy you may need to wait a bit. Not everyone can start the moment they click in.
How is it different from an interview with a human consultant?
| A-Cai (AI interviewer) | Human consultant | |
|---|---|---|
| Areas handled | A structured first-round interview confirming experience, motivation, and hard requirements | Salary negotiation, career advice and judging company fit: the parts that need human judgment and people skills |
| Timing | Start right after applying, without waiting for a consultant to be free (when full, you're given a waiting slot) | Requires scheduling a time—usually by phone or video call |
| How questions are asked | Starts from your résumé and the role you applied for, and follows up on details you mention, but won't switch the line of questioning on the fly | Adjusts questions on the fly based on your reactions, and proactively shares market rates and inside information |
| Final decision | No. It only produces a transcript and an initial assessment | After reviewing A-Cai's record, decides whether to recommend you to the hiring team |
| How it's recorded | A full transcript is kept, so nothing gets distorted by gaps in memory | Notes written up from impressions of that conversation |
At headhunting firms in Taiwan, most first-round interviews are still done by consultants themselves over the phone or video. Having AI run a structured first round isn't about hiring fewer people—it's because consultants' time should go where real judgment is needed: salary negotiation, relationship building, and judging whether a person fits a company's culture. Asking the same screening questions a hundred times is a waste for a person and the right job for a machine.
It's normal to worry — here are the four concerns, one at a time
It's natural to have doubts the first time you hear "you'll be interviewed by AI." The four articles below each answer one of the four most common questions; jump straight to the one you care about:
FAQ
Is A-Cai actually a human pretending to be AI?
No. A-Cai is our AI interviewer, and this conversation is the formal interview. Afterward, a headhunting consultant evaluates how it went and decides whether to recommend you for an interview with the hiring team. A human is checking throughout the process.
What should I prepare for the interview?
Find a place where you can focus and have a stable internet connection, and approach it as you would a formal interview. You don't need to prepare slides or samples — A-Cai asks questions based on your résumé and the job you applied for.
How long does the interview take?
The official figure is 20 to 40 minutes; the actual length depends on the role and how much detail you give in your answers.
Will I be notified if I'm not selected?
Yes. Whatever stage of the application process you don't pass, you'll be notified; you won't be left waiting without hearing back.
Could my interview content be leaked?
Your résumé and interview content are used only for evaluation by the hiring team you applied to — never for any other purpose, and never shared with third parties.
Want to see what the interview room is like for yourself?
Your official interview link is generated by the system after you apply—it's a conversation just for you. To preview the interface, open A-Cai's interview room; to get started right away, browse our current openings, apply, and you can go straight in and talk with A-Cai.
Add us on LINE and ask a consultant firstFurther reading: Talk to A-Cai first, or go straight to a consultant? · Is an AI interview more nerve-racking than a human one? · Can an AI interview misjudge you? · How do A-Cai's questions differ from a human consultant's?
To see what the interview room is like for yourself, just apply for an opening you're interested in and you'll reach the A-Cai stage.
Start with a job Ask a consultant on LINE