An employment application will allow you to efficiently search for suitable candidates to interview and hire at your place of business. You can distribute a blank form to each potential candidate, and each candidate can provide their personal information to help you make your employment decision.
Employment Application Sample
Here’s a sample of our employment application form. Download it as a PDF or Word file below:
What Is an Employment Application?
An employment application is a document that a potential candidate fills out to express the desire for employment at your business or organization. A well-organized written application will help you sort through applicants for each open position at your company and decide who you may want to interview in person.
An application for employment places potential employees on an even playing field by having the requested information in the same place on every application. This allows you to wade through applications quickly and efficiently, especially when looking for specific skills or education that can help enhance your business.
IMPORTANT: What If an Applicant Has a Resume?
Even if an applicant has a resume, they should still fill out an employer’s employment application so they can ensure to provide all the requested information. A resume can enhance a job application, so a candidate can attach it to the main document.
When Should I Use an Employment Application?
The responses you collect from an employment application form can help you pinpoint the most critical skills or experience you’re looking for in a candidate.
A job application form can also help when you're:
- Searching for suitable candidates outside your company
- Creating a database of potential future hires
- Looking for a good fit within your company
- Broadening your pool of applicants
Sections of an Employment Application
Here are some sections to include in an employment application:
1. Employer Information
The employer fills out this section with the company’s name and the contact information of the hiring manager. They can also include a statement about being an Equal Opportunity Employer to encourage a greater number of applicants.
The employer can fill out this section in advance and print out several dozen or hundreds of copies, depending on their hiring needs. Then, they can distribute the applications to potential candidates so the candidates already have the employer information.
2. Applicant Information
Within this section, the applicant starts providing their information. They begin by providing their legal name, residential address, and contact information. They can also specify the date they’re applying.
An applicant can also add their emergency contact information so the employer knows who to contact in case the applicant experiences a medical or workplace emergency.
3. Employment Position
Here, the applicant can specify the position to which they’re applying. They can also state their preferred employment type and salary. As an employer, you can filter out candidates by focusing on ones who respond according to the company’s needs.
4. Eligibility for Employment
This section addresses an applicant’s ability to work in the United States legally. It also addresses whether an applicant can work overtime and night shifts and has reliable transportation to work.
Be sure that your questions are not disguised or designed to elicit what can be deemed discriminatory information. These include inquiries about age, race, sexual orientation, citizenship, disability, or criminal history in some states.
5. Education
This section includes spaces for applicants to list high school, university, or college degrees, training in other educational facilities, or specific online courses they’ve completed.
6. Employment History
Ask for an applicant’s job history in this section. Let them describe the responsibilities and duties they had. You can also see how long they held specific positions, which can help you assess their likelihood to remain in one position for the long term.
7. Skills
Leave blank spaces for applicants to list hard and soft skills. They can self-assign the proficiency they have in each skill, whether it be Fair, Good, or Fluent.
8. References
Allow applicants to list professional and personal references who can attest to their character and work ethic. Create spaces for them to put their references’ contact information and the relationship they have to the reference.
9. Certifying Statement and Signature
Include a statement that certifies all the information is true to the applicant’s knowledge. Create a spot for the applicant to date and sign their name for the application to be considered a valid submission of accurate information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I include in a job description?
Create a detailed job description so candidates know whether they should apply. Include the following details in your job description:
- The name of the position
- The job location (in-person, remote, hybrid, etc.)
- The job type (seasonal, part-time, full-time, etc.)
- The job requirements (minimum skills/education)
- The job duties
- The benefits and salary range
How do I increase the number of applicants I get?
Mobile platforms will increase your applicant pool considerably. Many of your candidates will apply online and through their smartphones or tablets. Create a mobile-friendly version of your application for employment by providing multiple choices and dropdown boxes.
How do I filter through a lot of job applications?
Consider including a non-negotiable yes or no question that will help you separate the applicants rapidly.
For example, imagine your workplace prioritizes in-person interaction. You may include a question like “Are you willing to come into the office three days a week?” on the job application form. If a candidate answers no, you can dismiss their application and continue searching for someone who meets this criteria.
What questions should I ask in an interview?
Ask interview questions that relate to the candidate’s job application. For example, you can ask them to describe the skills they implemented in a former position and how they plan to apply these skills if they receive the new position.
If you need additional ideas, some common interview questions include:
- Why do you want to work for this organization?
- Do you prefer working by yourself or with a team?
- What’s your biggest strength?
- What’s your biggest weakness?
- How do you deal with stress?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
