Two-Step Application Process

Many of our clients utilize a two-step application process to increase their application completion rate by breaking the body of the application into two parts, an abbreviated initial form and a more detailed second portion. When used effectively, you'll see an increase in application completion because you will be saving your applicants time at the beginning of the process. In this article, we cover the two-step application process and application rules.

In this article:
What are Two-Step Applications
How are Two-Step Applications Used
Application Rules
Sending a Candidate to the Detailed Application
Two-Step Application F.A.Q
Additional Resources

What are Two-Step Applications?

Two-step applications allow you to separate the contents of an application into two parts. You will have the initial section to gather basic information about the applicant and then the detailed section to gather more in-depth information.

How are “Two-Step Applications” Used?

A candidate will complete the initial stage of an application - typically a resume upload and confirmation of contact information. Their profile will appear in the requisition inbox. Upon review, the recruiter or hiring manager can then choose to send the applicant to the second, more detailed stage of the application form.

Application Rules

A two-step application requires content to be added to your Details portion and a rule created that tells the system when to place your applicant on hold.

1. With content built in the Initial section, ensure you also have content built in the Detailed section.
   
2. Navigate to the Apply Process List page and click Rules for the Apply Process you'd like to set up as a two-step.
3. Using the section list drop-down, select the last section labeled (Initial) from this list.
4. Click Add under Rules.
5. Under Condition select Always.
6. Under Action select Wait for Recruiter Input.
7. Optional: You can also automatically update a candidate's workflow stage as well.
   1. Under Action, click Add and select your desired workflow stage, for example, you can place an application “On Hold.”
   2. Click Save.
8. Follow the steps here to test your application process as a candidate. When you are testing the application, you should receive your On Hold message. This can be edited from the application's settings.
9. The candidate will receive two emails.
10. On Hold: This message indicates that the first portion of the application has been submitted. The candidate will need to wait for more information.
11. Application Complete: This message is sent when the candidate completes the detailed section of the application.

Sending the Candidate to the Detailed Application

1. You can send a candidate to the detailed application either from the email address on the candidate tear sheet or from the Actions button. If you select the Actions button, choose “Email Candidate” from the drop-down.
2. Construct your message. If you have a recruiting email template setup, choose it now. 
3. Once you have finished writing your email, you will decide where the candidate will move in the workflow stage and what section of the application the candidate should complete after they receive the email.
4. Workflow Stage: You can select “Move Forward” from the drop-down which will move the candidate along in the workflow stages once the email is sent.
5. Application Section: To make sure that the candidate completes the appropriate section of an application, select the application section from the dropdown titled: “Send candidates to one of these application sections.”
6. Note: If the dropdown is not available and instead you see a toggle for “Allow Candidate to Complete Application” this means one of two things:
   1. The candidate has not finished the initial section of the application.
   2. The application has not been set up correctly. See below to troubleshoot.
7. 
8. 
9. When finalized, click Send.

F.A.Q

What happens if a candidate is forwarded to another requisition? Is there a different application process for each requisition?

If you forward a candidate who has completed an application from one requisition to another, the candidate will not be able to complete the application for the new requisition. The candidate will need to start a new application for the new requisition.

Does part one of the application need to be completed before you can send a candidate to the part two section?

Part one must be completed in order to unlock access to part two. You will not be able to send a candidate to part two of the application if they have not completed the first section.

What happens if a requisition is on hold or closed?

Candidates are not able to apply if the requisition is on hold or closed. You will not be able to send candidates to the next step of the application process if the requisition is on hold. 

I don't see the option to send the candidate to the second part of the application, what do I do?

The toggle option "allow candidate to complete application" shows up when a candidate has not completed their application or the application rules are not set up correctly. To learn more about how to set up application rules, see this article.