When it comes to attracting the right candidates, job application forms serve as the first impression of your company. Contrary to popular belief, they are not just a data collection tool; rather, they are a reflection of your brand and the experience you offer.
A well-crafted job application form can make a candidate feel valued, engaged, and excited about the opportunity. On the flip side, a confusing form can cause even the most qualified applicants to abandon their application in frustration. But how do you avoid these common job application form mistakes that can hurt your chances of attracting the right talent?
It starts with understanding that the application process is part of the candidate experience. So, in this post, we’ll walk you through the top 10 mistakes that employers often make when designing job application forms. More importantly, we’ll provide actionable tips on how to fix these issues so you can create a better hiring process altogether.
Why is Creating a Good Job Application Form so Important?
A well-structured job application form plays a pivotal role in shaping the entire recruitment process. When done right, it can streamline your hiring efforts, reduce administrative burden, and help you quickly identify the most qualified candidates. It can also help you leave a positive impression on applicants while sharing your company values.
According to CareerPlug, 81% of job seekers said that positive candidate experience during recruitment influenced their decision to accept an offer. On the flip side, a poorly designed form can create friction, leading to over 60% of candidates abandoning their application process altogether.
In essence, a good job application form is a crucial touchpoint in the recruitment process that can impact everything from candidate quality to brand perception.
Common Mistakes in Job Application Forms to Avoid
Creating your job application form often requires a lot of work, and in this process, it becomes easy to overlook the details. But those small details can make a big difference. What may seem like a simple oversight on your end could lead to abandoned applications, wasted time, or even a missed opportunity to connect with great talent.
So, let’s take a look at the most common job application form mistakes to avoid, which employers still make, why they matter, and, most importantly, how to correct them.
Mistake 1: overcomplicating the form
No matter the type of online form you encounter, overcomplicating them remains the most common mistake people make when creating one. It’s tempting to ask for every detail – your applicant’s full work history, references, social media profiles, maybe even religion – but the truth is, less is often more.
If your form feels like a never-ending list of questions, even the most qualified candidates might think twice before hitting “submit.” Lengthy forms can give an impression that you don’t value your applicant’s time, which is definitely something you want to avoid.
Remember, job seekers are often juggling multiple applications at once, and making your process overwhelming can cause them to abandon your opportunity in favor of a simpler one.
How to fix this?
Streamline your application by focusing on the essentials. Start with these basics every form should have:
- Essential personal information (Name, phone number, address, etc.)
- Educational background
- Employment history
- Relevant skills
- References and/or availability
You can always build on these based on what’s truly necessary to assess the candidate. For example, instead of asking for a detailed work history, consider asking for key experience that’s relevant to the job. If certain details aren’t required at the beginning of the screening process (like references), don’t complicate the initial comparison and just save these questions for the interview stage. The goal is to make the form feel like a quick and easy step in the application, not a tedious task.
Mistake 2: failing to provide clear instructions
You were likely at least once at the other end of the spectrum and needed to fill out a job application form. Have you ever started typing in all the info only to get stuck because you weren’t sure how to answer a particular question? It’s frustrating, right? Those looking to fill out the application you created would likely feel the same.
Candidates can easily become confused when the job application form lacks clear, concise instructions. As they don’t really know what to put in, they’ll likely abandon the form altogether. This issue usually occurs when employers assume that certain questions or fields are self-explanatory. But in reality, ambiguity can lead to mistakes, delays, and a poor candidate experience.
How to fix this?
To avoid any possible confusion, be sure to provide specific instructions for each section or field where it’s needed. For example, for open-ended questions, provide examples or brief explanations of what you’re looking for. In standard fields, be sure to specify if you are looking for dates when it comes to employment history and if candidates need to provide a short brief as to what their responsibilities were on each job.
Additionally, consider adding a “Help” section in case applicants encounter any challenges while completing the form. You want to show that you respect their time and effort, and clear instructions are one of the best ways to do so.
Mistake 3: lacking document upload feature
One of the easiest ways to make a job application form feel outdated is by asking candidates to manually enter information that’s already neatly laid out in their resume. This goes for cover letters, portfolios, test tasks, etc. If your form doesn’t allow for easy document uploads, you’re asking candidates to spend extra time retyping details, disregarding that there is a better way to fill out the form.
Did you want to send a message about how unprofessional the work environment is and how clunky the process can be? Congratulations, you just did. You’ll also turn off high-quality candidates who are used to more efficient, modern application systems.
How to fix it?
It’s simple enough. Just make sure you integrate a simple document upload feature into your application form wherever it feels necessary. Most form builders offer this option, and it’s easy to set up. Allow candidates to upload multiple files so they can present their qualifications as they see fit. This simple addition will help you make your forms far more user-friendly.
Mistake 4: excluding the save option
Imagine this: you’re halfway through filling out a job application form, but you suddenly get interrupted and have to step away. You think to yourself, “No problem, I’ll come back to it later.” But when you return, everything is gone – no saved progress, no way to pick up where you left off. If your form doesn’t have a “Save” option, this is exactly what kind of experience you are offering to your candidates.
Life happens, people get busy, and applicants may not always be able to finish the form in one sitting. Without the ability to save their progress, they may decide it’s not worth the effort to start the application all over again. This is especially true if they are applying for multiple jobs at once.
Similar to the upload feature, most form builders also have the save-and-return option, and you just need to include it in your form.
Mistake 5: forgetting to include essential fields
When creating a perfect job application form, it’s easy to get caught up in one aspect of it and kind of overlook the others. For example, if you get stuck on creating the design you had in your head, some basic fields you need to include can slip your mind. Imagine receiving a job application form without the candidates’ contact information or without knowing which position they are applying for.
Missing these crucial details could leave you scrambling to track down the necessary information or force you to reject a perfectly qualified candidate because the form wasn’t filled out properly. This overlook doesn’t just make it harder to evaluate your candidates, but it also makes the process feel disorganized and unprofessional.
How to fix it?
The easiest way to fix this issue is to leverage a good job application form template and double-check the form before finalizing it. Once you are sure you have all the information needed to assess the candidate effectively, you’ve made a well-rounded form that can be used in all your future hiring processes.
Mistake 6: asking irrelevant questions
Job application forms are not the place for small talk or off-topic inquiries. While it’s tempting to ask about a candidate’s favorite hobbies or even their marital status or religion, these are just some of the questions that should absolutely be avoided. Concentrate on questions that can help you assess applicants’ qualifications relevant to the role.
Any question that doesn’t directly pertain to the job or their experience is just another hurdle, and the longer the application form is, the more likely it is to lead to abandonment. Irrelevant questions can create unnecessary friction and discourage top talent from applying for jobs within your company.
Be intentional with your questions. Only ask for information that’s directly related to the role or helps you assess if the candidate is a good fit for your organization. If you are unsure what you are trying to get from a specific question, it’s best to leave it out.
Mistake 7: failing to keep the branding consistent
Your job application form is often the first interaction a candidate will have with your company. Just like a website or any marketing materials, the form should reflect your company’s personality and values. If your form looks inconsistent with your brand’s visual identity, it can make the company seem less professional. While you don’t have to spend a ton of time or money in order to make the form of your dreams, a too simple-looking form can also seem sketchy.
Additionally, using mismatched fonts, colors, or even unclear logo placement can leave candidates wondering if they’re engaging with the real company or some third-party recruitment service.
How to fix it?
Use your company’s logo, brand colors, and fonts to create a cohesive visual experience. This consistency fosters a sense of trust and professionalism. Plus, it provides candidates with a seamless transition from your job listing to the application process, making them feel like they’re moving through a unified experience.
Mistake 8: making the application form too long or tedious
The sole purpose of making a job application form is to collect relevant data so you can compare candidates objectively. However, while it’s important to collect relevant information, bombarding candidates with endless questions is one of the best ways to lose their interest. The longer the form, the more likely candidates are to abandon it mid-process. In fact, application forms that take longer than 15 minutes to complete have only a 3,61% completion rate, whereas forms that take up to five minutes have an application rate of around 12,47%.
How to fix this?
Keep your form concise and to the point. Only ask for what is necessary to evaluate the candidate’s qualifications at the early stages. Keep in mind that you’ll likely have interviews or additional tests before hiring someone, so there is really no need to be too detailed if something can be left for later stages of the process.
Focus on the personal info, key skills, and relevant experience, as those are the most important categories to have covered right from the start.
Mistake 9: ignoring accessibility needs
Accessibility is often overlooked in job application forms. But, not all candidates interact with technology in the same way. For example, some may have visual impairments, others may rely on screen readers, or some applicants may have motor impairments that make filling out forms difficult. While some of these disabilities can make them unfit for the job, if that’s not the case, there is no reason why your forms shouldn’t accommodate a wider range of people. Inaccessible forms can exclude a portion of your candidates that may be perfect for the role you are hiring for.
How to fix this?
There are some easy-to-implement adjustments to make your application form more accessible. This means ensuring it’s navigable for screen readers and providing options for alternative text formats where necessary. You can also enhance the contrast so the form has easier readability. Creating an inclusive application process also demonstrates your commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Lastly, be sure to test the form across different devices and assistive technologies to ensure everyone can access and complete it without difficulty.
Mistake 10: not offering confirmation and next steps
Did you know that over 58% of candidates expect to hear back from the company in one week or less after applying for the job? Part of this number can be due to the fact that companies often fail to inform candidates of the next step and the timeline they can expect.
After a candidate submits their application, it’s essential to acknowledge that submission and outline what happens next. Failing to send a confirmation email or follow-up message can leave candidates feeling uncertain or forgotten. This will also negatively impact their perception of your company.
To easily fix this, ensure that your application form includes an automated confirmation message. Be transparent about timelines, such as when they can expect to hear back from you or if they will need to complete additional steps like assessments or interviews. Keeping candidates in the loop shows respect for their time and makes the process feel more professional and considerate.
Final Thoughts on Job Application Forms Mistakes to Avoid
The job application form can seem like an insignificant piece of the recruitment puzzle, but the reality is that it plays a crucial role in the whole process. From the first click to the final submission, a well-designed form streamlines your hiring efforts, while a poorly executed form can lead to frustration and missed opportunities to connect with top talent.
Ultimately, creating a strong, well-structured job application form is about more than just collecting data; it’s about creating an experience that reflects your company’s culture and shows respect for the applicant’s time.
By taking the time to get it right, you’re setting yourself up for success in all future hiring efforts. Even if you already have some forms in use, leveraging these pieces of advice can help you make them more candidate-friendly. And remember, investing in good forms means investing in your company’s future, one candidate at a time.