What’s With the Questionnaire on Job Applications? Necessary or Nah?
Many young applicants argue that a resume should speak for itself.
(Getty Images)
New York City, NY — Job seekers are growing frustrated with a new application trend — companies asking to fill out a questionnaire along with submitting a cover letter and resume.
The trend has sparked a wave of irritation among applicants as most argue a resume or cover letter is enough for an employer to know whether or not they want to interview a candidate.
Ben Moore, a former senior recruiter, was surprised when he saw a questionnaire for a six-month contract.
“I get you're trying to find people who are willing to ‘go the extra mile,’ but seriously. I'd be happy to go over all this in an interview. A resume should be enough screening for a phone call,” said job seeker Moore in a viral post.
As Gen Z starts to apply for post-graduation roles, many think that a company should either request a cover letter or a questionnaire tailored to the position, not both.
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Some applicants shared how they wouldn’t even apply for a role if they see a company request for too much information like ten questions prompts.
“There have been times when I've chosen not to apply to the role based on this extra requirement,” said Kimi Kaneshina, a 25-year-old product manager from California. “Not necessarily because it's another step, but because I've realized it's actually not a great fit for me.”
Yet, Kaneshina thinks this is a great way for an applicant to see if they want to work for the company and gain “insight into what companies prioritize in their hires.”
“From the candidate perspective, while it's been tedious at times, it's challenged me to think more critically about the role,” said Kaneshina. “Do I actually want to apply here or do I just want to get another application in?”
However, it remains to be a problem for many to fill out questionnaires during the application stage instead of waiting for the interview portion.
“If you want to interview me then do it,” said freelance writer Sarita Amriom in a post. “I’m not spending an hour on this then being expected to answer interview questions before an interview just to be ghosted by a form rejection telling me the position was filled only to see it reposted an hour later.”
Kyle St Jean, a software engineer, added in a post that this trend is a “red flag” and a resume is the only requirement needed to be deemed worthy for an interview.
“Honestly at this point, I see huge application processes like this as a red flag for an employer,” said Jean. “If you need more than a resume and a few simple questions to qualify me for a phone call interview, you might be needing to refactor your candidate selection process.”
Kailyn Rhone, (she/her) is from Florida, but is an NYC-based journalist covering education, technology and culture. Follow her on Twitter @onlykailyn.
Edited by Nykeya Woods.