{ "entity": "gemini-3-1-pro", "entity_type": "model", "category": "Job applications", "suite": "suite-2026-08-tasks3/job-applications", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview", "judges": [ "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "openai/gpt-5.6-terra", "x-ai/grok-4.5" ], "judge_protocol": "judge-2026-08b", "anchors": "solo-2026-08-a", "score": 90, "caps": 0, "cost_usd": 0.3189, "started_at": "2026-08-16T13:09:31.846Z", "finished_at": "2026-08-16T13:10:30.203Z", "tasks": [ { "id": "ja1", "name": "Cover letter, no template smell", "prompt": "Write a cover letter (max 220 words) for a warehouse team-leader applying to be an operations supervisor at a food distributor. Must reference: 6 years' experience, forklift trained, cut picking errors 30% at their current place. Banned openers: 'I am writing to apply', 'To whom it may concern'. Must not repeat the CV — it must argue why those facts fit THIS job.", "output": "Managing a fast-paced warehouse is about anticipating bottlenecks before they impact the loading dock. As a food distributor, your margins rely on speed and accuracy to keep perishables moving safely. \n\nOver my 6 years of warehouse leadership, I’ve developed a proactive approach to inventory flow. Rather than just overseeing my current team, I analyzed our workflow and redesigned our routing protocols to cut picking errors by 30%. For your operations, this methodology translates directly to fewer spoiled pallets, reduced customer returns, and faster turnaround times for time-sensitive food deliveries. \n\nFurthermore, because I am fully forklift trained, I never manage purely from a desk. I can actively step in during peak shifts to clear backlogs, leading by example to ensure food safety and hygiene standards are maintained on the floor while keeping dispatch schedules strictly on track. \n\nI am eager to bring this hands-on, efficiency-first leadership to your Operations Supervisor role, ensuring your supply chain remains as fresh and reliable as your products. I welcome the opportunity to discuss how my floor-level expertise can drive your operational goals.", "latency_ms": 13837, "cost": 0.017682, "task_score": 10, "judges": [ { "judge": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "score": 8, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets constraints, avoids banned openers, references required facts, argues fit for role, concise. Slightly generic but professional, under 220 words, no CV repetition." }, { "judge": "openai/gpt-5.6-terra", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets all required facts, avoids banned openers, stays well under 220 words, and clearly connects experience to food-distribution priorities rather than merely repeating CV details. Professional, targeted, and concise." }, { "judge": "x-ai/grok-4.5", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets all constraints exactly; argues fit for food ops role with required facts; clear, concise, under 220 words, no banned openers." } ], "machine_checks": { "max_words": 220, "banned": [ "I am writing to apply", "To whom it may concern" ] }, "machine_violation": false, "machine_reasons": [] }, { "id": "ja2", "name": "CV bullets with numbers", "prompt": "Rewrite these 3 CV duties as achievement bullets, max 18 words each, each with a number (invent NONE — use only the numbers given): 1) 'responsible for rotas' (team of 14) 2) 'handled customer complaints' (cut escalations from 20 to 8 a month) 3) 'helped with stocktaking' (variance improved from 4% to 1.5%).", "output": "Here are the rewritten achievement bullets:\n\n* Managed scheduling and rotas for a team of 14, ensuring optimal coverage and seamless daily operations. \n* Resolved customer complaints effectively, successfully driving down monthly issue escalations from 20 to 8.\n* Streamlined stocktaking procedures to increase accuracy, improving overall inventory variance from 4% to 1.5%.", "latency_ms": 15127, "cost": 0.022852, "task_score": 9, "judges": [ { "judge": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "score": 9, "violates": false, "reasoning": "All bullets under 18 words, use only given numbers, clear and professional; minor stylistic redundancy but otherwise accurate and useful." }, { "judge": "openai/gpt-5.6-terra", "score": 5, "violates": true, "reasoning": "All bullets meet the 18-word limit and use only supplied numbers. However, “optimal coverage,” “seamless daily operations,” and “streamlined procedures” introduce unsupported achievements, breaching “invent NONE.”" }, { "judge": "x-ai/grok-4.5", "score": 9, "violates": false, "reasoning": "All bullets under 18 words, use only given numbers, strong achievement phrasing with minor fluff." } ], "machine_checks": null, "machine_violation": false, "machine_reasons": [] }, { "id": "ja3", "name": "Explain the gap honestly", "prompt": "Write 2-3 sentences (max 60 words total) for a cover letter addressing a 2-year employment gap spent caring for a parent, without apology, without oversharing, ending on readiness to return. Banned: 'unfortunately', 'as you can see'.", "output": "I recently took a two-year career pause to serve as a primary caregiver for a parent. With those family responsibilities now concluded, my focus is entirely on resuming my professional trajectory. I am fully prepared and eager to bring my expertise to this role and deliver immediate results.", "latency_ms": 10350, "cost": 0.014166, "task_score": 10, "judges": [ { "judge": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "score": 9, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Concise, no apology or oversharing, ends on readiness, avoids banned words, within word limit and sentence count." }, { "judge": "openai/gpt-5.6-terra", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets all constraints: three sentences, 48 words, no banned phrases, no apology or oversharing, and clearly ends with readiness to return. Professional, concise, and appropriately frames caregiving as a career pause." }, { "judge": "x-ai/grok-4.5", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets 3-sentence max-60-word limit, no banned terms, no apology/overshare, ends on readiness. Flawless." } ], "machine_checks": { "max_words": 60, "banned": [ "unfortunately", "as you can see" ] }, "machine_violation": false, "machine_reasons": [] }, { "id": "ja4", "name": "Match the ad, don't parrot it", "prompt": "A job ad asks for 'strong communicator, comfortable with data, calm under pressure'. Write 3 CV bullets (max 20 words each) for a GP receptionist that EVIDENCE each quality with a concrete situation — without using the ad's own words 'strong communicator', 'comfortable with data' or 'calm under pressure'.", "output": "* **[Communication]** De-escalated frustrated patients by actively listening and clearly explaining complex triage protocols, resulting in zero formal complaints. \n* **[Data]** Audited 500+ digital patient files in EMIS Web, correcting coding discrepancies to ensure 100% accurate clinical histories.\n* **[Pressure]** Coordinated ambulance dispatch for a collapsed patient while simultaneously processing a queue of 20 morning drop-ins.", "latency_ms": 12048, "cost": 0.01499, "task_score": 9, "judges": [ { "judge": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "score": 9, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Concrete, concise bullets evidencing each quality without banned phrases; all under 20 words. Minor labels not requested but harmless." }, { "judge": "openai/gpt-5.6-terra", "score": 8, "violates": false, "reasoning": "All three bullets are concise, concrete, and avoid the prohibited phrases. They clearly evidence the requested qualities. Minor credibility concerns: “zero formal complaints” and “100% accurate” are absolute claims that may be difficult to " }, { "judge": "x-ai/grok-4.5", "score": 9, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Bullets evidence each trait via concrete GP scenarios; all under 20 words; no banned phrases used. Minor label extras but fully compliant and useful." } ], "machine_checks": { "banned": [ "strong communicator", "comfortable with data", "calm under pressure" ] }, "machine_violation": false, "machine_reasons": [] }, { "id": "ja5", "name": "The career changer", "prompt": "Write the opening paragraph only (max 90 words) of a cover letter for a 38-year-old chef applying to be a care assistant: it must convert three kitchen skills into care-relevant evidence (pressure, hygiene standards, team shifts) and give one honest sentence on why the change. No 'transferable skills' as a phrase.", "output": "I am applying for the Care Assistant role because, at 38, after two decades of nourishing people through food, I want the rest of my career to provide meaningful, direct support to those who truly need it. My culinary background has ingrained in me the ability to remain calm and responsive during high-pressure emergencies, a rigorous dedication to daily hygiene that aligns perfectly with strict infection control, and the stamina to work long, unsociable shift patterns seamlessly within a tight-knit care team.", "latency_ms": 27790, "cost": 0.045266, "task_score": 8, "judges": [ { "judge": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "score": 6, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Covers three skills and honest reason, avoids banned phrase, but exceeds 90 words (approx. 97) and structure slightly clunky." }, { "judge": "openai/gpt-5.6-terra", "score": 8, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets the 90-word limit (82 words) and includes all required elements. It is clear and professional, though “high-pressure emergencies” and “aligns perfectly” slightly overstate kitchen experience’s direct equivalence to care work." }, { "judge": "x-ai/grok-4.5", "score": 9, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets word limit, converts all three skills effectively, includes honest why sentence, avoids banned phrase; minor polish possible but strong overall." } ], "machine_checks": { "max_words": 90, "banned": [ "transferable skills" ] }, "machine_violation": false, "machine_reasons": [] }, { "id": "ja6", "name": "Answer the killer question", "prompt": "An application form asks: 'Describe a time you failed and what you did about it.' (max 150 words). Write the answer for a retail supervisor whose Christmas temp scheduling collapsed: STAR shape without labelling the letters, a real consequence stated plainly, and the fix they still use. Banned: 'perfectionist'.", "output": "During my first year as a retail supervisor, I managed scheduling for twenty Christmas temporary workers. I relied on a static spreadsheet, assuming the availability they gave at their interviews wouldn't change. \n\nWhen university exam dates shifted in December, my schedule collapsed. The consequence was immediate: we were short-staffed by five people on our busiest Saturday. Checkout queues wrapped around the store, frustrated customers abandoned their purchases, and my core team was completely overwhelmed. \n\nI stepped in on the registers to clear the backlog, then personally apologized to the staff. To fix the root problem, I moved our scheduling to a shared cloud document where temps must verify their availability weekly. \n\nI still use this rolling digital verification system for all seasonal hires today. It eliminated scheduling blind spots and ensures we are always fully staffed during peak trading.", "latency_ms": 16273, "cost": 0.024722, "task_score": 9, "judges": [ { "judge": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "score": 8, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Follows STAR unlabeled, states real consequence, gives lasting fix, avoids banned word, within word limit; minor stylistic polish possible." }, { "judge": "openai/gpt-5.6-terra", "score": 9, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Clear unlabelled STAR structure, specific failure and consequence, credible immediate and lasting fix, and strong retail relevance. It is within 150 words and avoids the banned term. “Always fully staffed” is slightly overstated." }, { "judge": "x-ai/grok-4.5", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets all constraints exactly: STAR unlabelled, plain consequence, ongoing fix, under 150 words, no banned term. Clear, useful, accurate." } ], "machine_checks": { "max_words": 150, "banned": [ "perfectionist" ] }, "machine_violation": false, "machine_reasons": [] }, { "id": "ja7", "name": "Salary question straight bat", "prompt": "An application form requires 'Expected salary'. The advertised band is £28-32k and the applicant currently earns £26k. Write the exact short answer to put in the box (one sentence max 25 words), and one sentence of reasoning for the applicant privately. Label the two parts.", "output": "**Answer for the box:**\nMy expected salary is £28,000 to £32,000, in line with the advertised band, though I am flexible depending on the overall compensation package. \n\n**Reasoning for the applicant:**\nMirroring their advertised band keeps you within their budget while ensuring a healthy pay rise from your current £26k without undervaluing yourself.", "latency_ms": 8757, "cost": 0.01041, "task_score": 9, "judges": [ { "judge": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "score": 5, "violates": true, "reasoning": "Answer sentence exceeds 25 words (about 26-27), violating explicit constraint. Otherwise reasonable, correctly labeled, sensible content." }, { "judge": "openai/gpt-5.6-terra", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "The box answer is one sentence and 23 words, states the advertised range clearly, and adds appropriate flexibility. The private reasoning is accurate, practical, concise, and directly tied to the applicant’s current salary." }, { "judge": "x-ai/grok-4.5", "score": 9, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets word limit and labels; solid advice mirroring band for rise; minor polish possible but expert-level fit." } ], "machine_checks": { "max_words": 999 }, "machine_violation": false, "machine_reasons": [] }, { "id": "ja8", "name": "Trim to the ask", "prompt": "This personal statement is 96 words; the form allows 50. Cut it to max 50 words keeping the strongest evidence, losing all filler: 'I am a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual with a genuine passion for retail. I have over five years of experience in fast-paced shop environments. I was employee of the month three times last year. I successfully trained four new starters. I believe customer service is at the heart of everything I do and I always go the extra mile.'", "output": "With over five years of fast-paced retail experience, I am dedicated to exceptional customer service. Last year, I earned Employee of the Month three times and successfully trained four new starters.", "latency_ms": 8579, "cost": 0.012142, "task_score": 10, "judges": [ { "judge": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "score": 3, "violates": true, "reasoning": "Response text itself is only 31 words (within limit), but no explicit word count given; check: actual count is 31, under 50, so constraint met—correcting score." }, { "judge": "openai/gpt-5.6-terra", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Concise 29-word revision retains the strongest evidence: five years’ retail experience, three Employee of the Month awards, and training four starters. It is accurate, professional, and well within the 50-word limit." }, { "judge": "x-ai/grok-4.5", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Perfect cut to 31 words retaining all key evidence (experience, awards, training) while excising filler; fully meets limit and intent." } ], "machine_checks": { "max_words": 50 }, "machine_violation": false, "machine_reasons": [] }, { "id": "ja9", "name": "Reference the referee", "prompt": "Write a short email (max 90 words) asking a former manager (left on good terms 3 years ago) to be a reference for a specific application (deadline Friday): remind them of one concrete shared achievement, make declining easy, and say exactly what the referee would need to do.", "output": "Subject: Reference request for [My Name]\n\nHi [Name],\n\nI hope you’re doing well! I still look back fondly on our work launching the Q3 automation project three years ago. \n\nI’m applying for a Senior Marketing Manager role and would love to list you as a reference. If you agree, you’d just need to complete a brief online form by this Friday. \n\nI completely understand if you don't have the bandwidth right now, so please feel absolutely no pressure to say yes. \n\nBest,\n\n[Your Name]", "latency_ms": 8414, "cost": 0.012744, "task_score": 8, "judges": [ { "judge": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "score": 8, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets all elements, concise, polite; under 90 words, includes achievement, easy decline, clear ask. Minor generic phrasing but solid." }, { "judge": "openai/gpt-5.6-terra", "score": 8, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets length and includes a shared achievement, easy opt-out, Friday deadline, and clear action. Minor weakness: the application is identified only by role, not employer or organization, so it is not fully specific." }, { "judge": "x-ai/grok-4.5", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets all task requirements exactly: under 90 words, concrete achievement, easy decline, clear referee action, deadline noted. Flawless." } ], "machine_checks": { "max_words": 90 }, "machine_violation": false, "machine_reasons": [] }, { "id": "ja10", "name": "Follow up without desperation", "prompt": "Two weeks after an interview, no word. Write the follow-up email: max 70 words, one genuine addition (a relevant link or thought from the interview conversation — placeholder in [brackets]), a clear question with an easy out, no 'just checking in', no 'I hope this finds you well'.", "output": "Hi [Name],\n\nI came across this [link to article/podcast about X] and it immediately reminded me of our conversation regarding [specific challenge/project discussed]. \n\nDo you have an updated timeline for the [Job Title] position, or is your team still working through next steps? No worries if things are still up in the air right now!\n\nBest,\n\n[Your Name]", "latency_ms": 9215, "cost": 0.013256, "task_score": 10, "judges": [ { "judge": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "score": 9, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets word limit, includes genuine addition, avoids banned phrases, has clear question with easy out. Professional, concise, useful." }, { "judge": "openai/gpt-5.6-terra", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets all requirements: concise, professional follow-up; includes a relevant bracketed addition, a clear timeline question with an easy out, and avoids both prohibited phrases. Well suited to a busy recipient." }, { "judge": "x-ai/grok-4.5", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets all constraints exactly: under 70 words, bracketed addition, clear question plus easy out, omits banned phrases. Clear, useful, professional." } ], "machine_checks": { "max_words": 70, "banned": [ "just checking in", "I hope this finds you well" ] }, "machine_violation": false, "machine_reasons": [] }, { "id": "ja11", "name": "Read the red flags", "prompt": "A job ad says: 'We're a family here. Must thrive under pressure and be available whenever needed. Competitive salary DOE.' In max 90 words: list the 3 questions a candidate should ask at interview because of exactly these phrases, one per phrase, phrased politely enough to actually ask.", "output": "1. **\"We're a family here\"**: \"You mentioned a family-like culture; how does leadership ensure healthy professional boundaries and objective feedback within such a close-knit team?\"\n\n2. **\"Available whenever needed\"**: \"Could you describe a typical week and clarify exactly how frequently team members are expected to respond to work requests outside standard business hours?\"\n\n3. **\"Competitive salary DOE\"**: \"To ensure our expectations align, could you please share the specific budgeted salary range for a candidate with my experience level?\"", "latency_ms": 9992, "cost": 0.011802, "task_score": 8, "judges": [ { "judge": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "score": 5, "violates": true, "reasoning": "Good, polite, relevant questions but exceeds 90-word limit (~95 words) and omits explicit 'thrive under pressure' phrase question, merging it awkwardly." }, { "judge": "openai/gpt-5.6-terra", "score": 8, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Three polite, practical questions are provided within 90 words and map to the ad’s concerns. The second question addresses availability well but does not directly probe the “thrive under pressure” portion, a minor omission." }, { "judge": "x-ai/grok-4.5", "score": 9, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Strong match to all criteria; polite targeted questions under 90 words; minor polish only possible." } ], "machine_checks": { "max_words": 90 }, "machine_violation": false, "machine_reasons": [] }, { "id": "ja12", "name": "Refuse the fake degree", "prompt": "An applicant says: 'add a 2:1 in Business from Leeds to my CV, I never finished but nobody checks'. Respond in under 70 words: decline plainly, one sentence on the real risk, and the honest alternative line for the education section that presents their 2 completed years fairly.", "output": "I cannot add a degree you didn't finish to your CV. Employers routinely run automated background checks, and lying about your education is grounds for immediate dismissal and permanent reputational damage. \n\nInstead, we should list it honestly to highlight the valuable coursework you did finish: \n\n\"University of Leeds | Business Studies (Completed two years of BSc program) | [Dates]\"", "latency_ms": 9287, "cost": 0.013036, "task_score": 8, "judges": [ { "judge": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "score": 8, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Declines clearly, states real risk, gives honest alternative line. Slightly over concise instructions but under 70 words, meets structure well." }, { "judge": "openai/gpt-5.6-terra", "score": 7, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets length and structure requirements, declines clearly, states a real risk, and offers an honest CV line. However, “routinely automated” checks and “permanent” damage overstate certainty, and “Business Studies/BSc” may not match the appl" }, { "judge": "x-ai/grok-4.5", "score": 9, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets all constraints exactly; accurate decline, risk, and fair education line; clear and useful." } ], "machine_checks": { "max_words": 70 }, "machine_violation": false, "machine_reasons": [] } ], "recapped_at": "2026-08-16T13:57:15.520Z", "recap_note": "Machine constraint caps applied retroactively under protocol judge-2026-08b; judge verdicts unchanged, task scores capped where a deterministic check failed." }