An effective employment application will allow you to efficiently search for suitable candidates to interview and hire at your place of business. Discover what you need to include in an application for employment and when you should use one.
What is an Employment Application?
An employment application is a document to be filled out by a potential candidate for employment at your business, organization, or company. A well-organized written application will help you sort through applicants for each open position at your company and help you decide who you may want to interview in person.
An application for employment places potential employees on an even playing field by having the information requested located in the same place on every application. This allows you to wade through applications quickly and efficiently, especially when looking for specific items, like skills, or education that can help enhance your business.
What needs to be included in an employment application?
In an employment application template, the information that needs to be included can be organized using the following stages:
Stage 1: Personal information
Stage 2: Eligibility for employment
Stage 3: Education
Stage 4: Employment history
Stage 5: Signature
Stage 1: Personal information
Primary contact information begins with an applicant’s legal name, residential address, all online contact information, including a valid and monitored email address. Contact numbers must include cell phone and/or home phone number(s).
Stage 2: Eligibility for employment
This section addresses an applicant’s ability to legally work in the United States and simply requires a checkbox. More in-depth information can be sought regarding the hours they are available to work, whether flexibility is available in the applicant’s schedule, and when the applicant can physically be present and start the job.
Be sure that your questions are not disguised or designed to elicit what can be deemed to be discriminatory information. These include questions related to age, race, sexual orientation, citizenship, disability, or in some states, their criminal history.
Stage 3: Education
Under skills and education, you can list the skills required for the position or present them as multiple choices for mobile users. Applicants can list their own skills, although their descriptions may vary depending on the job.
This section includes spaces to list high school, university, or college degrees, as well as training in other educational facilities, or specific online courses.
Stage 4: Employment history
Ask for detailed job information regarding responsibilities and duties, particularly if the application is intended for hourly or entry-level employees.
It may be difficult for candidates to get written references, so consider leaving space on your free employment application for the name of the last company or individual the candidate worked for. Have the applicant include contact information for their last employer, including their email address and telephone number.
Concerning pay, you can have applicants state the starting and ending pay at the last or current employer and use a checkbox to indicate whether the pay is hourly or by salary. If applicable, you can allow applicants to indicate their desired pay.
Stage 5: Signature
Finally, the applicant must date and sign their name for the application to be considered a valid submission of true and correct information.
Note that it is far more efficient to structure an employment application form using a template. You can produce an application in minutes with a Legal Templates free step-by-step form builder.
Application for Employment Sample
Here’s what an employment application pdf typically looks like:
Employment Application
EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION
Please fill out the entire application.
EMPLOYER INFORMATION
Employer Name: _______________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________
City, State, and Zip Code: _______________________________________
Telephone: ____________________
___________________ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in our hiring
practices on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender, identity, sexual orientation, age,
disability, national origin, religion, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal,
state, or local law.
All employment decisions at ___________________ are decided on the basis of candidate
qualifications, merit, and the unique needs of our business and the position.
APPLICANT INFORMATION
Applicant Name: _______________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________
City, State, and Zip Code: _______________________________________
Telephone: ____________________ Alternate phone: _________________
Email Address: __________________________
Date of Application: ___________________
EMERGENCY CONTACT
Contact Name: ________________________________________________
Relationship to you: ____________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________
City, State, and Zip Code: _______________________________________
Telephone: ____________________ Alternate phone: _________________
EMPLOYMENT POSITION
Employment Position Applied For: __________________________________
Full or Part Time_____ Full time _____ Part time
When can you begin work if you are hired? __________________________
Salary Desired: $ ____________ per ____________
Did anyone refer you to our company? If yes, who: _________________________
Have you applied to any position at our company previously? _____ Yes _____ No
If yes, when did you apply: ________________________________________
If yes, what position did you apply for: _______________________________
Do you have any friends or family working at our company? _____ Yes _____ No
If yes, name: ________________________________________
How did you hear about this position? _____________________________________
WORK ELIGIBILITY
Are you at least 18 years old?______ Yes ______ No
If offered employment, are you able to provide proof that you are legally eligible to work in the
United States? _____ Yes _____ No
How you will get to work: _________________________________________
Driver’s License (State/Number): ___________________________________
Are you able to perform the essential functions of the job position with or without reasonable
accommodation? _____ Yes _____ No
Are you willing to work any shift, including nights and weekends? _____ Yes _____ No
If no, please state any limitations: ________________________________________________
If applicable, are you available to work overtime? _____ Yes _____ No
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Please list the schools attended.
Include any other pertinent information about your education and training.
School name: ___________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________
From: __________ To: ___________ Did you graduate? _____ Yes _____ No
Subjects studied: ___________________________________
College/University: ___________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________
From: __________ To: ___________ Did you graduate? _____ Yes _____ No
Degree received: ___________________________________
Other: ___________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________
From: __________ To: ___________ Did you graduate? _____ Yes _____ No
Degree received: ___________________________________
Professional licenses, qualifications, or certifications:
____________________________________________________________
Special Achievements or Awards:
____________________________________________________________
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Please list all jobs. Begin with the current or most recent employment. For gaps in employment,
please include explanation. Continue on an extra sheet of paper if necessary.
Name of Employer: _____________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________
From: __________ To: ____________ Position: _______________________
Key Duties: ___________________________________________________
Reason for Leaving: ____________________________________________
Supervisor Name: ____________________ Supervisor Phone: _____________________
Name of Employer: _____________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________
From: __________ To: ____________ Position: _______________________
Key Duties: ___________________________________________________
Reason for Leaving: ____________________________________________
Supervisor Name: ____________________ Supervisor Phone: _____________________
Name of Employer: _____________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________
From: __________ To: ____________ Position: _______________________
Key Duties: ___________________________________________________
Reason for Leaving: ____________________________________________
Supervisor Name: ____________________ Supervisor Phone: _____________________
Military Services? ______ Yes _____ No
Branch: ___________________________________________
Years of Service: From: __________ To: ____________
Specialized skills or training: ___________________________________________________
APPLICANT’S SKILLS
Skill: _____________________________________
Level: _____ Low _____ Medium _____ High
Skill: _____________________________________
Level: _____ Low _____ Medium _____ High
Skill: _____________________________________
Level: _____ Low _____ Medium _____ High
Language: _____________________________________
Level: _____ Fluent _____ Good _____ Fair
Language: _____________________________________
Level: _____ Fluent _____ Good _____ Fair
Other skills: __________________________________________________
REFERENCES
Name: _____________________________________
Relationship: ____________________
Address: _____________________________________________________
City, State, and Zip Code: ________________________________________
Telephone: _____________________
Name: _____________________________________
Relationship: ____________________
Address: _____________________________________________________
City, State, and Zip Code: ________________________________________
Telephone: _____________________
I certify that all statements given on this application are true and complete to the best of my
knowledge. I understand that any statements found to be false or misleading give sufficient
reason not to hire me, or if hired, can be grounds for immediate termination. I authorize
___________________ to conduct any investigation deemed appropriate concerning my
application.
I authorize former employers, references, and all other individuals and organizations disclosed
herein to provide any information sought in connection with this application.
The employment is at will, meaning that the employment is subject to termination at any time,
with or without cause or notice, and at any time. I acknowledge that no written or oral
representations nor representations about the employment can alter the at will employment
status, except those which are executed by representatives at ___________________ with the
express authority to do so.
I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THE ABOVE CERTIFICATION AND I UNDERSTAND AND
AGREE TO ITS TERMS.
APPLICANT SIGNATURE__________________________ DATE _______________
This free printable employment application form template can be created using a Legal Templates document builder or printed out after downloading and saving the form.
When Should I Use an Employment Application?
Use an employment application form pdf when you need to pinpoint the most important skills or experience you’re looking for in a candidate, which includes:
- Searching for suitable candidates for your job
- Looking for specific knowledge or experience
- Looking to hire one or more employees or staff
- When you are planning to create a database of potential future hires
- When looking for a good fit within your company
- When deciding how to broaden your pool of applicants
Other Things to Consider in an Employment Application
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 eliminating dropdown boxes.
Also, consider including a non-negotiable yes or no question that will help you separate the applicants rapidly.