Question sets are an applicant element that employers can use to collect information from job seekers during the application process. Question sets work best if you keep your questions as specific and objective as possible. From the applicant perspective, question sets are an opportunity to shine as a potential employee. Applicants can share their professional skills and personal experiences and highlight important aspects of their job history to demonstrate why they would be a good fit for the open job.
Multiple question sets can be included in a job template in either part 1 and/or part 2. Basic organization questions required for every application should be in their own set and then can be combined with other job-specific questions sets. For hiring flexibility, we suggest that when creating job templates, you should group the question sets into general questions and job-specific questions. Additionally, when creating a job template, you can include multiple question sets and assign the order in which they appear.
Additional Question Set Resources
Question Set Types
Question sets can be defined as a Standard Applicant Element or AutoScore Applicant Element. Any combination of Question Set Types can be used in Part 1 and/or Part 2 of an application.
AutoScore Applicant Element:
Auto-scored question sets produce a score that helps highlight quality applicants in the applicant queue and individual applicant files. Question types within this set will be scored automatically against the desired yes/no or multiple-choice response.
For efficient applicant processing, you should use an auto-scored question set that contains questions of a general nature in Part 1 of the job application. Typically, this question set would be one that would be applied to all of your job templates. For additional auto-scored job-specific questions, create additional question sets that you can add to a template. By doing so, all job applicants will appear with a score, which will help with the initial applicant review. The first three AutoScored Question Sets assigned to the job template will appear in the Applicant Queue of each job.
See General AutoScore Question Set Examples.
See Job-Specific AutoScore Question Set Examples.
Standard Applicant Element:
Standard question sets do not include scores, but they offer additional question types (i.e., text responses and file upload). The answers in the Applicant File can be given an overall rating manually by a user.
Consider including an open-ended, standard question set containing job-specific questions to further qualify the applicant. Depending on your process, the standard question set can be added to Part 1 or Part 2 of the job application.
See Job-Specific Standard Question Set Examples.
See File Upload Standard Question Set Examples.
Creating Question Sets
- Select Applicant Elements from the menu and then select Question Sets.
- Click the +Create button and select Standard Applicant Element or AutoScore Applicant Element.
- Enter the Question Set Name (this is internal and will not be seen by applicants).
- Add a Section Intro (this is optional, and if added, it will display in the job application).
- Enter Questions:
- If the set is auto-scored, the question type can be Yes/No or Multiple Choice, and you will need to select the desired question response as well as designate if this is a Critical Question.
- If the set is standard, each question within the set will need to be assigned a type from the drop-down. Question types include file upload, Yes/No, Text, and Multiple Choice. Follow the prompts for each particular question type.
- Include additional questions by clicking Add Question and repeating the process.
- To reorder questions, click the row then drag and drop to a new location.
- Remove unwanted questions by clicking the red X.
- Click Save when the question set is complete.
Note: When you add a new question it will automatically be placed as the last question in the set. Applicants will see the questions in the same order they are listed. You can reorder individual questions by dragging and dropping them into a new location.
Editing Question Sets
When editing question sets, the changes will be applied to future uses of the set. If a question set is currently used in a posted job, the changes will be applied automatically to any future applications. Users should proceed with caution when editing posted jobs, as significant changes could result in applications in the queue with different questions.
- Select Applicant Elements from the menu and then select Question Sets.
- From the question set line you'd like to update, click the ⋮ menu and select Edit.
- Review and edit the Question Set.
- Click Save when complete.
Deleting Question Sets
- Select Applicant Elements from the menu and then select Question Sets.
- From the question set line, click the ⋮ menu and select Delete.
- Click Confirm.
Question Set Examples
General Questions (AutoScored):
These questions consider the general qualifications of an applicant. Typically, this set would be asked of all applicants for any job your organization posts. Some examples of General questions include:
- Are you at least 18 years old?
- Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?
- Are you willing to participate in pre-employment and periodic drug screening?
- Are you willing to undergo a formal background check?
Job-Specific Questions (AutoScored):
These questions consider the job-specific qualifications of your position and ask questions about what you need the ideal candidate to do. For example:
- Do you have at least five years of specialized experience in this field?
- Do you have an active certification?
- Can you perform the duties of the job for which you are applying?
- Can you work overtime, including weekends?
Job-Specific Questions (Standard):
These questions can be text, multiple-choice, or yes/no questions and ask the candidate about their specific job-related criteria and skills. For example:
- Do you have a college degree in a related field? If yes, describe your degree and explain how it will contribute to your success if hired.
- Please provide a detailed summary of your experience in this field.
- Do you have at least three years of experience? If so, summarize your experience in terms of skills and relevant abilities.
- List all relative software with which you consider yourself to be competent. Indicate your level of expertise for each with a rating of 1 to 10 (with 10 being strongest).
- Summarize the nature of work performed at your previous and current job and your job responsibilities.
File Upload Questions (Standard):
A file upload type of question can be used to request specific attachments or require supporting documents from an applicant. Each file upload question will collect an individual attachment. For example:
- Please attach your certification.
- Please attach your writing sample.
Additional Question Set Resources