Simplify hiring with basic online job application forms

Tired of sifting through messy applications? Job application forms are the critical first step in finding top talent and streamlining your entire recruiting process. They efficiently collect and organize the data hiring teams need to identify the best candidates.

We're going to walk you through why job application forms are non-negotiable, explore the different types available, and share expert tips and best practices—including the essential fields to include. Read on to build the most effective online job application forms.

Online job application forms are highly efficient, significantly saving time, minimizing errors, and centralizing candidate data. Since applications are submitted digitally, the records can be easily found, sorted, and evaluated using built-in digital storage systems, such as a database or spreadsheet.

Online job applications also help you:

Using a uniform online form ensures standardized data collection across all applicants. This consistency aids in making objective interview decisions and guarantees you possess all necessary contact and experience details.

By distributing your job application form through social media, email, and your website, you can expand your candidate pool and quickly locate qualified talent. Online forms are easy for applicants to complete, maximizing your reach.

A basic job application form centralizes necessary information, streamlining organization and expediting the overall hiring and onboarding process.

Online job application forms offer versatile distribution via social media, your website, email, SMS, and QR codes. This broad accessibility allows you to effectively reach a wider pool and quickly identify top-tier candidates.

Online job application forms instantly notify your hiring team of new submissions. This real-time alert enables prompt review and response, effectively eliminating hiring delays.

Since all submitted information is centralized and stored online, candidate records remain readily available for review across every stage of the hiring process.

Customize your online job application forms to suit specific job roles. This flexibility allows you to both share detailed information about the position and efficiently collect targeted data from interested candidates for subsequent evaluation.

A smooth application process signals that your business is organized and modern. Utilizing an online job application form enhances the candidate experience and builds excitement for future communication with your hiring team.

There are a handful of different types of employment application forms you might consider for your business. The best format depends on the position, hiring strategy, and company size. Let’s delve into each of the employment forms below. 

Businesses frequently use standard application forms to collect core candidate details, encompassing personal information, employment history, references, and skills.

While historically available as hard copies for in-person completion, the primary benefit of this format is consistency. Standardization enables hiring teams to efficiently compare applications side-by-side, making this format appropriate for nearly all types of roles.

The online job application form digitizes the candidate information collection process. Typically submitted via the company website, an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), or a third-party hiring site, this digital format mirrors standard applications but includes crucial features like document uploads and multiple-choice questions.

Utilizing this form streamlines the hiring workflow, significantly reducing paperwork and simplifying the collection of large volumes of candidate data for organizations.

The short application form is a simplified tool used for initial candidate screening. It requests only basic contact details, relevant experience, and availability.

This format is primarily leveraged for high-volume, entry-level roles that do not require specialized expertise. It is ideal for encouraging maximum applications for seasonal, hourly, or temporary positions.

The internal application form facilitates career progression by allowing current employees to apply for open positions.

It typically focuses on internal work experience, performance history, and the employee's rationale for seeking the new role. This form helps hiring teams assess candidate fit and potential career trajectory within the organization.

Specialized application forms are tailored for positions requiring specific industry experience and advanced qualifications, common in fields like healthcare, law enforcement, or engineering.

These forms include additional fields to gather crucial details such as professional licenses, portfolios, test scores, or compliance documentation, enabling hiring teams to meet regulatory requirements for specialized roles.

Regardless of the form type, several essential, standard questions should always be included, such as the following.

Include fields for candidates to share their legal first and last names and date of birth in your preferred format. Add text fields for a phone number and an email address. You’ll use this information to contact the candidate about their application or next steps. 

Your candidate’s address can help you determine if they’re based in your target country or region. Include fields for your candidate’s street address, city, state (or province), zip (or postal) code, and country. 

Many job application forms also include information about the position, such as the job listing, responsibilities, qualification requirements, and salary range. Listing the details about the position helps candidates ensure their skills and experience align with what you’re seeking. 

Many jobs require a certain level of education, such as a bachelor’s degree. Include fields where candidates can share their degrees, relevant educational institution information, and graduation dates.

Your candidate’s employment history can provide insight into their experience and skills. Include fields for previous company names, past titles, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving each role. 

Some jobs require special skills, licenses, or certificates. Include fields for any relevant skills or certifications applicants possess.

When requesting references, ask candidates for two to four professional contacts who can attest to their character and work quality. Include fields for each reference’s name and contact information.

You should also have an area to upload a resume and supporting documents. A candidate’s resume is essential to evaluating applications and outlines relevant work experience. Instead of requiring candidates to type out all their information, allow them to upload their resumes to expedite the process.  

Add an acknowledgement of applicable hiring laws and a signature at the end of your job application form. Additionally, have candidates confirm the accuracy of their information and consent to the company’s hiring policies or background checks in this section. 

With SurveyMonkey, creating an online job application is easier than ever. Enhance the candidate experience with our online job application form tips:

Hiring the best candidate for your company requires a deeper understanding of their fit with your company’s culture. Use an online application form to ask targeted, open-ended questions that provide a more comprehensive view of each candidate. Consider asking open-ended questions like: 

In some cases, candidates may be required to submit resumes, work samples, or other relevant documents. Use a file upload feature to enable them to add important documents to their application.

With SurveyMonkey, candidates can upload their documents directly to the job application form. You can store these documents securely in your SurveyMonkey account, maintaining your candidate’s privacy. 

Skip logic is a feature that changes the next question an applicant sees based on their response to the current question. You can use this feature to help tailor the application to the candidate’s experiences so they only see questions relevant to them.

Examples of skip logic in an online job application might include:

A confirmation of receipt lets candidates know you’ve successfully received their application, contributing to a positive candidate experience. 

Use an on-screen confirmation once the candidate submits their entry, and then follow up with an email confirmation that includes information about the next steps. It’s also good practice to notify candidates when a decision about the role is made, even if you won’t be moving forward with their application. 

Be sure to keep job application forms brief to prevent candidates from closing out before completing them. Job application forms should only ask for relevant information related to the job and provide candidates with the opportunity to share their skills. 

Stick to standardized fields when possible, and add specialized fields for roles that require them. By keeping the form short and focused, you improve the candidate experience. 

Avoid jargon in job application forms and use clear, simple language that all applicants will understand. This ensures that applicants understand how to complete the form correctly. Keeping language clear promotes clearer, more accurate responses from candidates. 

According to recent data, 77% of job seekers use their phones to find and apply to jobs. This statistic highlights the importance of ensuring your job application form is mobile-friendly. Mobile-friendly applications make job searching easier for candidates.

It’s essential to test your job application form before officially launching it. Testing it enables hiring teams to catch any errors or bugs before candidates start applying for employment. This way, it’s ready for candidates and doesn’t malfunction or miss any information. 

Accessibility settings are crucial for making your application accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. 

Follow web accessibility best practices by:

Hiring teams should prioritize data privacy and security throughout the hiring process. Job application forms often collect sensitive information that requires careful handling and protection. 

Protect candidate information and build trust by:

Job application forms are the first step to getting a new hire in the door. Find quality candidates with mobile-friendly job applications that can be easily shared online. Your job application forms should gather all the relevant information needed from candidates to proceed to the interview stage. 

Create streamlined online job application forms with SurveyMonkey. Gathering and organizing candidate information has never been simpler with intuitive online forms. Get started today to elevate your hiring process.