Creating Filter Templates/Questions for Applications

Updated 7/28/2025

Filter questions allow you to ensure that a candidate is qualified for the position offered, and to obtain additional information that may not be included on the resume/cover letter they submit. Templates consist of one or more filter questions, and are brief "quizzes" for which you design the questions and set the scoring. The answers to these questions will not prevent a job seeker from applying online for a posting, but you can use the questions to indicate job seekers who are qualified and those that are not. This way you are connecting with the most qualified candidates first.

Note: This feature is used only if you allow job seekers to apply online through the job board. (Application Method Options)

Once you are logged into your account on the career center, you can click on the "My Templates" tab

In the "My Templates" page scroll down to view, edit, delete, or create a new set of filter questions under the "My Filter Templates" section.

Then click on the "Create Filter Template" button to begin.

The first step is to select what type of question you want to use for the first question in your template.

True/False

The true/false question is one that can be formatted to have one of two possible answers. This could be true or false, yes or no, or picking between options A and B.

Then you will want to enter your question and the two options for answers. An example question could be, "Do you have [x] years of experience or more in this field?"

A disqualifier checkbox is available if you would like to make that particular answer something which disqualifies the candidate. Keep in mind you will still receive their application if they select this answer, but it will show them as having been disqualified by your template. You can also assign a point value for each response and whether or not the question requires a response.

Once you have filled in all info you would like, click on Create Question.

You can repeat this process to create more true/false-type questions as-needed.

Multiple Choice

The multiple choice question can have up to six answers, but the candidate can only select one. A disqualifier checkbox is available if you would like to make that particular answer something which disqualifies the candidate. Keep in mind you will still receive their application if they select this answer, but it will show them as having been disqualified by your template. You can also assign a point value for each response and whether or not the question requires a response.

Once you have filled in all info you would like, click on Create Question.

You can repeat this process to create more multiple choice questions as-needed.

Multiple Answer

The multiple answer question can have up to six answers and the candidate can select all that apply.

A disqualifier checkbox is available if you would like to make that particular answer something which disqualifies the candidate. Keep in mind you will still receive their application if they select this answer, but it will show them as having been disqualified by your template. You can also assign a point value for each response and whether or not the question requires a response.

Once you have filled in all info you would like, click on Create Question.

You can repeat this process to create more multiple answer questions as-needed.

Short Text

The short text question allows the candidate to write in their own short response (typically you'll be looking for no more than one sentence as a response).

There is not a disqualifier or score with this type of question, as you typically would not know what answer(s) candidates will give.

Once you have filled in all info you would like, click on Create Question.

You can repeat this process to create more short text answer questions as-needed.

Long Text

The long text question allows the candidate to write in their own response (typically you'll be looking for at least a couple of sentences or even a full paragraph as a response).

There is not a disqualifier or score with this type of question, as you typically would not know what answer(s) candidates will give.

Once you have filled in all info you would like, click on Create Question.

You can repeat this process to create more long text answer questions as-needed.

1-10 Rating

The 1-10 rating question allows you to give candidates up to six options, and they can rank the answers with from the best/highest to the worst/least. Calculation of the points scored and disqualifying amount for this question is based on the rank of the candidate selected.

This option does allow for more complex scoring, so we have some additional info/tips for setup:

Points Per Point (PPP)
Setting "Points Per Point" allows you to assign points to help rank your candidates. "Points Per Point" is the number of points assigned for each number selected by the candidate. For example, if you set this at "1" and a candidate rates himself as a "6" in this area, six points would be added to their score.

Disqualifier (Dis)
This item allows you to disqualify a candidate if they do not select an answer that you feel is acceptable. If this option is selected, you will then need to specify a "Disqualifier Safe Value." If a candidate chooses any number below the "Disqualifier Safe Value," then the candidate will be filtered out.

Disqualifier Safe Value
This is to be used if you want to set the item as a Disqualifier. This is the lowest score that a candidate can pick for this item and not have their resume filtered out. So If you choose "4," anyone who answers "4" or higher on this item will be OK, anyone who answers "1," "2," or "3" will have their application discarded.

You are able to use a combination of question types in one filter template, but please keep in mind that each type of question scores candidates differently (or not at all!), so you may want to test your selected options to ensure they work well together and produce the desired screening results.

After creating all of the questions for the filter template, you will need to provide the name and cut-off score for the template. The template name will be used to identify the entire series of questions in that filter template. For example, you may want to name it relative to the specific position that you will use it for, the department that all of your positions would fall under, or the data you are collecting from the filter questions. The cut-off score is based on a calculation of the total number of points scored throughout all of the questions. Any candidate scoring below the cut-off score will be marked as disqualified. Then click on Create Filter to save the template.

You can use the filter template by accessing the "My Jobs" page after you have completed a job posting. Click on the position title to view the details of the job posting, and then click on Add Filter on the top right side:

From there you can select a pre-existing template from the drop-down menu, or create a new filter template following the steps above in this article:

When you select an existing filter, you will see options to view or remove it:

Once you have activated the filter template for your job posting, any candidate applying online using a resume saved in their account on the career center will answer the filter questions. The system will not allow them to complete their application without answering any questions that you marked as response required. Applications from candidates that accumulate less than the cut off score you indicated or those that select disqualifying answers will still show up in your Applicants section but will show “No” in the Qualified column. You can view the candidates’ answers to your questions under the Application link.