Job Edition - Application Form

The Application Form is a crucial element of your hiring process, providing the first structured interaction between candidates and your organization. This section enables you to customize the fields and questions that candidates must complete when applying for a job. A well-designed application form not only collects essential candidate details but also helps filter applicants by incorporating tailored questions or specific disqualification criteria.

Zamdit offers a highly flexible application form builder. You can choose from over 30 predefined fields or create custom fields to collect role-specific information. Qualifying questions can be included to automate the screening process by disqualifying candidates who fail to meet minimum requirements. These features ensure your hiring process is efficient, thorough, and tailored to the job's needs.

Once a job is published, the application form becomes locked to maintain consistency and fairness for all candidates. For this reason, it’s important to finalize and review the form during the draft stage.

Building the Application Form

While you can create an application form from scratch, starting with a template can save time. To use a template, click the Select Template button at the top right of the view. This will display all available templates for selection. After selecting a template, click Save to apply it to the job.

The application form consists of two main sections:

1. Custom Texts: Define the messages displayed to candidates before they start the form (Welcome Message) and after completing it (Thank-You Message). These messages help set expectations and enhance the candidate experience.
2. Form Fields: Specify the fields and questions that candidates need to complete. This includes predefined fields, custom fields, and qualifying questions.

The structure and process for configuring these sections are the same as for Application Form Templates. For detailed instructions, see the Custom texts and Form fields guides.

Previewing the Application Form

Zamdit allows you to preview your application form at any stage of the editing process. To preview the form as candidates will see it, click the Preview button located at the bottom left of the page. This helps ensure that all fields and messages appear as intended.

For additional details, see Application Form Preview.

Best Practices for Designing an Application Form

Creating an effective application form is crucial to attracting top candidates while streamlining your hiring process. Here are some best practices to guide you when designing your form in Zamdit:

1. Keep It Concise

• Avoid overwhelming candidates with too many questions. Focus on fields essential for initial evaluation, such as qualifications, skills, and experience.
• Limit custom questions to those directly related to the role to avoid discouraging applicants.

2. Use Predefined Fields Where Possible

• Take advantage of Zamdit's 30+ predefined fields, which are designed to capture commonly needed information in a structured format.
• Structured fields make it easier to compare candidates later and generate analytics.

3. Leverage Qualifying Questions

• Add qualifying questions to screen candidates for must-have requirements. For example, include questions about minimum experience, certifications, or location.
• Set automatic disqualification criteria when appropriate, but keep these questions clear and fair to avoid inadvertently excluding qualified candidates.

4. Write Clear and Inclusive Questions

• Use plain language to ensure all candidates understand the questions. Avoid technical jargon unless necessary for the role.
• Write questions that welcome diverse candidates. For example, instead of “Are you a native English speaker?”, use “Are you fluent in English?”

5. Set Expectations with Custom Texts

• Use the Welcome Message to explain what candidates can expect during the application process.
• Use the Thank-You Message to reassure candidates that their application has been received and outline next steps.

6. Balance Required and Optional Fields

• Mark only critical fields as required to minimize form abandonment.
• Allow flexibility by offering optional fields for candidates to provide additional information, such as portfolio links or availability.

7. Test the Form with the Preview Feature

• Use the Preview feature to ensure the form appears professional and user-friendly.
• Check for formatting issues, typos, and logical flow before saving the form.

8. Customize for the Role

• Tailor fields and questions to the specific requirements of the job.

9. Ensure Compliance and Privacy

• Despite the fact that there's a consent checkbox for data processing to comply with GDPR and other regulations, avoid requesting unnecessary sensitive data unless legally required.

10. Review and Iterate

• Gather feedback from hiring team members on the application form’s effectiveness.
• Use insights from past recruitment cycles to refine the form and improve the candidate experience.