Benefits of the Applicant Survey Template

  • Fully customizable: You can customize the survey for any job, industry, or job level
  • HR best practices: Questions designed with compliance and fairness in mind
  • A structured way to gather essential details about candidates before moving forward with the hiring process
  • HR leaders can compare applicants fairly, minimize bias, and save valuable time
  • Cover essential aspects such as: Work experience, skills, motivations, and availability.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Applicant Survey Template?


An Applicant Survey is a tool used by HR professionals and employers to collect detailed, structured data about job applicants. It provides a clearer picture of a candidate’s qualifications, skills, past experience, expectations, and cultural fit—beyond what resumes typically reveal.

Why is the Applicant Survey important?


It is a strategic tool that ensures accurate data collection, improves the hiring experience, and supports data-driven decisions. When integrated into HR systems, it enhances hiring quality while reducing costs and errors.

Why do companies need an Applicant Survey?



  • Standardizes information collection across all candidates.
  • Identifies gaps early, saving time and effort.
  • Reduces bias through consistent questions.
  • Simplifies candidate comparison and filtering.

What are the key components of an Applicant Survey?

 

  1. Personal details (name, contact, employment status).

  2. Education (degrees, certifications, courses).

  3. Work experience (companies, roles, duration).

  4. Skills (technical and functional).

  5. Motivation and expectations (career goals, salary).

  6. Availability (start date, willingness to relocate or work remotely).

  7. Cultural fit (teamwork, adaptability).

Are there different types of applicant surveys?



  • General surveys for all roles.
  • Role-specific surveys tailored to a job.
  • Competency-based surveys focusing on soft skills.
  • Compliance or safety surveys for regulated industries.

How is the survey different from a resume or interview?


Resumes are candidate-driven and selective, while surveys provide standardized responses. Interviews allow deeper interaction, but surveys give HR a clearer picture before deciding who to interview.

What are best practices for designing an effective survey?



  • Keep questions clear and direct.
  • Balance open and closed questions.
  • Avoid unnecessary or irrelevant items.
  • Ensure compliance with employment laws.
  • Pilot test before use.

How does the survey help reduce turnover?


By clarifying expectations from the start, it reduces mismatches between what the employee expects and what the company provides, improving retention.

Can the survey be integrated with HR systems?


Yes, most HR management systems allow creating or importing surveys to simplify data collection and tracking.

What mistakes should be avoided?



  • Overloading candidates with too many questions.
  • Using technical or unclear wording.
  • Ignoring cultural aspects.
  • Asking irrelevant or personal questions.

How can survey results improve hiring?



  • Allow objective comparisons.
  • Highlight strengths and gaps.
  • Provide insights for tailored interview questions.
  • Reveal trends across applicants.

Does the survey vary by company size or industry?


Yes. Large organizations may need detailed surveys, while smaller ones might prefer shorter forms. Regulated industries require compliance-focused questions.