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 recruitment process. They efficiently collect and organise the data hiring teams need to identify the best candidates.

We’ll guide you through why job application forms are essential, look at the different types available and share expert tips and best practices, including the key fields you should include. Read on to learn how to create the most effective online job application forms.

Online job application forms are extremely efficient, saving time, reducing errors and centralising candidate data. Because applications are submitted digitally, records can be easily found, sorted and evaluated using built-in digital storage systems, such as databases or spreadsheets.

Online job applications also help you:

Using a consistent online form means you collect standardised data from every applicant. This uniformity helps you make objective interview decisions and ensures you have all the essential contact and experience details you need.

By sharing your job application form via social media, email and your website, you can broaden your candidate pool and quickly find qualified talent. Online forms are easy for applicants to complete, helping you maximise your reach.

A basic job application form centralises all the necessary information, making organisation easier and speeding up the entire 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.

As all submitted information is centralised and stored online, candidate records are always accessible for review at every stage of the hiring process.

Customise your online job application forms to fit different job roles. This flexibility lets you share detailed information about each position and efficiently gather specific data from interested candidates for further evaluation.

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

There are several types of employment application forms you could use for your business. The best format depends on the role, your hiring strategy and the size of your company. We’ll explore each type of employment form below.

Businesses often use standard application forms to collect essential details from candidates, including personal information, employment history, references and skills.

Although these forms were traditionally provided on paper for in-person completion, the primary benefit of this format is consistency. Standardisation enables hiring teams to efficiently compare applications side by side, making this format suitable for almost any type of role.

The online job application form digitises 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.

Using this form streamlines the hiring workflow, dramatically reducing paperwork and making it much easier for organisations to collect large quantities of candidate data.

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 mainly used for high-volume, entry-level roles that don’t require specialist skills. It’s perfect for attracting the highest number of applicants to 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 organisation.

Specialised application forms are designed for roles that demand specific industry experience and advanced qualifications. They’re often used in sectors such as healthcare, law enforcement or engineering.

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

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

Include fields for candidates to provide their legal first and last names, along with their date of birth in your chosen format. Add text fields for a phone number and email address. This information will be used to contact the candidate regarding their application or next steps. 

Your candidate’s address can help you determine whether they’re based in your target country or region. Include fields for their street address, town or city, county/council area, postcode and country. 

Many job application forms also provide information about the role, such as the job listing, responsibilities, required qualifications and salary range. Including these details helps candidates check that their skills and experience match what you’re looking for. 

Many jobs require a certain level of education, such as a bachelor’s degree. Include fields for candidates to list their degrees, relevant educational institution details and graduation dates.

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

Some jobs require specific skills, licences or certificates. Include fields for any relevant skills or certifications that applicants may have.

When asking for references, request two to four professional contacts who can vouch for your candidate’s character and work quality. Include fields for each reference’s name and contact details.

You should provide a section for uploading a CV and any supporting documents. A candidate’s CV is crucial for assessing their application, as it outlines their relevant work experience. Rather than asking candidates to type out all their information, let them upload their CV to speed up 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 top tips for online job application forms:

Hiring the best candidate for your company requires a deeper understanding of how they would fit into 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, such as the following: 

In some cases, candidates may be required to submit CVs, work samples or other relevant documents. Use a file upload feature so they can 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, protecting your candidates’ privacy. 

Skip logic is a feature that adjusts the next question an applicant sees based on their response to the current one. This lets you tailor the application to the candidate’s experience, so they only see questions that are relevant to them.

Examples of skip logic in an online job application include:

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

Use an on-screen confirmation message when the candidate submits their application, followed by an email confirmation with details about the next steps. It’s also best practice to update candidates when a decision about the role has been made, even if you won’t be proceeding with their application. 

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

Use standardised fields where possible, and only add specialist fields for roles that need 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 can understand. This helps ensure candidates know how to complete the form correctly. Clear language leads to better, more accurate responses from applicants. 

According to recent data, 77% of job seekers use their phones to search and apply for jobs. This shows just how important it is to make your job application form mobile-friendly. Mobile-friendly applications make job hunting much simpler 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. This way, it’s ready for candidates and doesn’t malfunction or miss any information. 

Accessibility settings are essential for making your application accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. 

Follow web accessibility best practices by:

Hiring teams should prioritise 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 organising candidate information has never been simpler with intuitive online forms. Get started today to elevate your hiring process.