Hiring the right people starts with collecting the right information. An employment application helps you do just that—efficiently, consistently, and legally.
While there are plenty of applicant tracking systems out there, not every business needs complex HR software. For small businesses, startups, or anyone hiring occasionally, an Excel-based employment application template can be the perfect solution.
Our free Employment Application Template in Excel is coming soon! It’s designed to help you gather all essential applicant details in a clean, customizable, and easy-to-use format.
What Is an Employment Application?
An employment application is a formal document that job candidates fill out when applying for a position. It provides a standardized way to collect key information such as:
- Contact details
- Employment history
- Education background
- Skills and qualifications
- References
- Signature and date
Unlike resumes, which vary in format and depth, employment applications ensure you collect the same baseline information from every candidate.
Why Use Excel for Employment Applications?
Excel is more than a spreadsheet—it’s a flexible, practical tool for managing HR tasks like applicant tracking, screening, and data collection.
Here’s why Excel is a great choice for employment applications:
- Fully editable – Customize fields based on your industry or job role.
- Shareable – Email as an attachment or upload to a shared folder.
- Organized – Keep all submissions in the same format for easier review.
- Printable – Perfect for walk-in applicants or in-person hiring events.
- Searchable – Filter or sort candidates by skill, experience, or availability.
Whether you’re hiring part-time employees, interns, or full-time staff, this template helps make your recruitment process more efficient and consistent.
Who Can Use This Employment Application Template?
Our Excel-based employment application form is ideal for:
- Small businesses and local shops
- Nonprofits and schools
- Restaurants and hospitality companies
- Construction and trade employers
- Staffing agencies
- Internal HR or office managers
Basically, anyone who needs to collect standardized job applicant data—without paying for expensive software.
Coming Soon: What’s Inside Our Excel Employment Application Template
This template is designed to make the hiring process easier for both employers and applicants. Here’s what will be included:
Basic Applicant Info:
- Full name
- Address
- Phone number and email
- Position applied for
- Desired salary and availability
Work History:
- Previous employers
- Job titles and responsibilities
- Dates of employment
- Reason for leaving
Education:
- High school, college, trade school
- Degree or certification
- Graduation dates
Skills & Certifications:
- Industry-specific qualifications (e.g., forklift license, CPR)
- Language proficiency
- Computer or software skills
References:
- Names and contact info of professional references
Legal & Authorization:
- Eligibility to work in the country
- Criminal conviction question (optional depending on local laws)
- Signature and date (electronic or handwritten)
Bonus Features:
- Drop-down fields for easier data entry
- Pre-filled sample data for testing
- Printable and digital versions
- Optional equal opportunity section
The template will also be fully compatible with Google Sheets, so you can use it in the cloud for remote hiring.
Best Practices for Using an Excel Employment Application
- Keep a digital folder to store all application files by role or date.
- Standardize filenames (e.g., “Application_JohnDoe_Marketing”) for easier organization.
- Review for compliance with employment laws in your country or region.
- Customize fields to fit your business—include industry-specific certifications or experience.
- Save a blank version and use copies for each candidate.
Excel makes it easy to adapt the form to your workflow—whether you’re emailing applications or printing paper copies.
Related Resources
Until the template is live, here are a few useful links to explore:
- How to Create an Employment Application Form – Indeed
- Vertex42 Excel Templates – Application for Employment
- U.S. EEOC Guidelines for Employment Applications
Be the First to Download the Template
We’re finalizing the Employment Application Template in Excel right now and it’ll be ready soon—totally free to download.
Want early access when it goes live?
👉 Sign up here [insert link]
👉 Or follow us on [LinkedIn / Twitter / Newsletter – insert link]
Perfect for streamlining your hiring process and making candidate comparison easy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is an Excel employment application template?
It’s a pre-made spreadsheet where applicants can enter personal info, job history, education, and more when applying for a job. It standardizes your hiring process.
Is this template legally compliant?
We design it to follow best practices, but we recommend reviewing it with legal or HR professionals to ensure it meets local laws, especially around data collection and privacy.
Is this template really free?
Yes! You’ll be able to download and use it at no cost.
Can applicants fill it out on their phones or computers?
Yes—Excel files can be filled out digitally on most devices. You can also convert it to a Google Form or fillable PDF if preferred.
Can I use it for different roles or departments?
Absolutely. You can duplicate the template, rename it for each job opening, and tailor any fields based on the role.
Will it work for multiple candidates at once?
You can keep a master sheet with all candidate entries, or use individual application files. We’ll include tips for both.
Does this replace a resume?
Not necessarily. You can use it as a required supplement or alternative, especially for entry-level roles, hourly jobs, or walk-in applications.