Job Application Form

Customizable job application forms in PDF and Word format.

By Toni Ross, Mar 26, 2024

Toni Ross is the Senior Editor of Betterteam. Her interests include developing resources that help build and grow value-oriented, connected teams, both personal and professional.

A woman in a beige coat filling out a job application form.

A job application form is used to gather information from job applicants during the hiring process. This form covers essential personal data and information to help make a hiring decision. Also known as an employment application or application for employment form.

Download Job Application Forms:

Job Schedule	PDF	Word
Standard	job-application-form-standard.pdf.	job-application-form-standard.docx.
Shift Work	job-application-form-shifts.pdf.	job-application-form-shifts.docx.

Tips for Using an Application for Employment Template:

Make a generic application available to applicants to download, fill out and email back, print and return physically, or print it out yourself and hand it to potential applicants.
If you’re using free job posting sites to advertise your job, allow the candidates to do everything electronically, via download and email.
Compare the answers you receive on the generic job application directly to your job description, to be sure that applicants meet your needs.
Scan completed applications quickly to make sure they’re filled out, and that candidates meet the essential requirements.
Compare your favorites side-by-side before deciding who to interview.
Be sure to keep good applications on file, even if you can’t hire the applicant right away - it’s always good to have a group of potential employees for a hiring emergency.

Next Steps:

That should be everything you need to replace your old job application form with new printable applications, or start using them at your business and tick one more task off your new hire checklist.

Once you've got some good applicants, you may want to see our employment verification guide to help you screen them.

You may also find our employee information form and timesheet template useful at this stage.

If you've applied for a job, and haven't heard back yet, use this job application follow up email.

FAQs:

What needs to be on a job application form?

A basic job application form should include the applicant's name, contact information, the position they are applying for, education, work history, and a place for them to sign and date the form. If you need applicants to work particular shifts, ask for availability too.

How do I write a job application form?

Unless you've got some very specific questions that need to be answered during the initial application process, you should be fine using a generic application for employment template. If need be, you should be able to edit any sample employment application we've provided in Word.

When should I use a job application form?

When you want application forms that are standardized and easy to compare.
When you want something that is easy to scan.
If you want to make the application process easier.
If you need to get information people don’t usually put on resumes.
If you want applicants to sign and attest that the information provided is accurate.

Why should I use a job application form?

Standardization is one of the main advantages of employee application forms. If you give the same application to everyone who applies for the job, it creates a very fair process for applicants and gives you a way to compare them side-by-side.

Job application forms are easier to review than resumes and CVs, saving you time.
Application forms are ideal for companies that require large-scale hiring.
Allows you to get important information that applicants wouldn't normally share in a resume or CV.
Allows you to ask for information that will help you make decisions and research applicants.
You can ask if they’re willing to submit to a drug test, and, in most cities and states, you can ask about previous criminal history.

Do employers need to use application forms when hiring?

They're not necessary and many companies opt for CVs or resumes instead. They are, however, a good way to take in a lot of information about employees in a standardized format.

Can employees fill out the job application on their computer?

Yes, all the applications we've provided can be filled out using a computer.

Is it appropriate to use a general job application with management hires?

It depends on the management job. In some industries, like retail, filling out a generic application for employment is normal at many levels. Generally, though, you can accept resumes or CVs for positions like this, and give applicants a form to fill out that supplies the information you need from an application later in the process.

What types of questions are on a job application?

Aside from general questions about location, employment history, and education, a job application can contain questions specific to the role that the applicant is applying for, e.g., specific skills, availability for shift work, desired salary, and extracurricular activities.

Job Application Form

Download Job Application Forms:

Tips for Using an Application for Employment Template:

Next Steps:

FAQs:

What needs to be on a job application form?

How do I write a job application form?

When should I use a job application form?

Why should I use a job application form?

Do employers need to use application forms when hiring?

Can employees fill out the job application on their computer?

Is it appropriate to use a general job application with management hires?

What types of questions are on a job application?

Related Articles:

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Employers Choice Screening

How to Do Employee Background Checks

Employee Schedule Template

Job Application Follow-Up Email