Application Forms
Build professional application forms with file uploads and automated workflows
Application forms are specialized forms designed to collect structured information from job applicants, program participants, membership candidates, or grant seekers. Unlike simple contact forms, application forms typically include multiple fields, file uploads (resumes, portfolios), and integration with applicant tracking systems.
Pro Feature Required
Application forms with file upload capabilities require a Pro tier account. Upgrade to Pro to unlock file uploads, webhooks, and advanced features.
Common Application Form Use Cases
🏢 Job Applications
- Resume and CV uploads
- Cover letter collection
- Work experience forms
- Portfolio submissions
- Reference information
🎓 Program Registrations
- Educational programs
- Training courses
- Certification applications
- Workshop registrations
- Conference submissions
👥 Membership Applications
- Organization memberships
- Club enrollments
- Professional associations
- Community groups
- Subscription services
💰 Grant & Scholarship Applications
- Scholarship applications
- Grant proposals
- Funding requests
- Award nominations
- Research proposals
Setting Up Your Application Form
Create Your Form
First, sign up for a Pro account and create a new form in your dashboard. Copy your API key for use in your form.
Add File Upload Fields
Application forms typically need file uploads for resumes, cover letters, or portfolios. Ensure your form includes the enctype attribute:
Configure Email Settings
In your dashboard, configure how you want to receive applications:
- Set your notification email address
- Customize the email subject line
- Enable CC emails for team members
- Configure auto-responders for applicants
Test Your Form
Submit a test application to ensure everything works correctly. Check that:
- All form fields are captured
- Files are properly attached to emails
- Email notifications arrive promptly
- Auto-responders are sent to applicants
File Upload Configuration
Supported File Types for Applications
Static Forms supports these file formats commonly used in applications:
| File Type | Extensions | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Documents | .pdf, .doc, .docx, .txt, .rtf | Resumes, cover letters, transcripts |
| Images | .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, .webp | Portfolio images, photos, certificates |
| Presentations | .ppt, .pptx | Portfolio presentations, slide decks |
| Spreadsheets | .xls, .xlsx | Data submissions, budgets |
File Size Limits
- Maximum file size: 5MB per file
- Multiple files: Supported (each must be under 5MB)
- Total submission size: 20MB per form submission
File Size Recommendations
For the best user experience, encourage applicants to:
- Use PDF format for documents (smaller file sizes)
- Compress images before uploading
- Keep resumes to 1-2 pages (500KB-1MB)
- Optimize portfolio images (under 2MB each)
Email Template Customization
Customize how application submissions appear in your email notifications:
Subject Line Customization
Include dynamic fields in your email subject to easily identify applications:
Custom Email Fields
You can include custom fields that organize your applications better:
Auto-Responder Configuration
Send automatic confirmation emails to applicants to improve their experience and set expectations:
Enable Auto-Responders
Go to your form settings in the dashboard and enable the auto-responder feature.
Customize Your Message
Create a professional confirmation message for applicants:
Test Auto-Responders
Submit a test application to verify the auto-responder email arrives correctly and looks professional.
Webhook Integration for ATS
Connect your application form to Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) or other tools using webhooks:
Popular ATS Integrations
- Greenhouse: Send applications directly to Greenhouse
- Lever: Integrate with Lever ATS
- BambooHR: Connect to BambooHR for HR management
- Workable: Push applications to Workable
- Custom Systems: Use webhooks for any system that accepts HTTP requests
Setting Up Webhooks
Get Your Webhook URL
Obtain the webhook URL from your ATS or destination system. This is typically found in the integrations or API settings.
Configure in Dashboard
In your Static Forms dashboard, navigate to your form's webhook settings and add the URL.
Map Fields
Ensure your form field names match what your ATS expects, or use our field mapping feature to transform data.
Test the Integration
Submit a test application and verify it appears in your ATS with all data intact.
Webhook Payload
Webhooks send a JSON payload containing all form data. File attachments are sent as URLs that your system can download.
Form Validation Best Practices
Implement proper validation to ensure high-quality applications:
Required Fields Validation
Email Validation
Phone Number Validation
Spam Protection for Applications
Protect your application forms from spam submissions:
1. Honeypot Field (Recommended)
Add a hidden field that bots will fill but humans won't see:
2. Altcha (Privacy-First)
Use Altcha for privacy-focused CAPTCHA protection. Learn more in our Altcha documentation.
3. reCAPTCHA v3
Add Google reCAPTCHA for additional protection. See our spam protection guide for implementation details.
Advanced Features
Multi-Step Application Forms
Break long application forms into multiple steps for better user experience. This improves completion rates and makes the process less overwhelming.
Conditional Fields
Show or hide fields based on previous answers using JavaScript:
Application Status Tracking
Use our dashboard to track and manage applications:
- View all submissions in chronological order
- Download submitted files
- Export applications to CSV
- Search and filter applications
- Add notes and tags to applications
Complete Example
Here's a complete, production-ready application form example:
Troubleshooting
Files Not Attaching to Emails
- Ensure
enctype="multipart/form-data"is set on the form - Use FormData in JavaScript, not JSON
- Don't manually set Content-Type header
- Verify you have a Pro tier account
- Check file size is under 5MB
Applications Not Arriving
- Check your spam/junk folder
- Verify API key is correct
- Check email address in dashboard settings
- Review submission logs in dashboard
- Ensure form is not blocked by ad blockers
Webhook Not Firing
- Verify webhook URL is accessible (returns 200 OK)
- Check webhook endpoint logs for errors
- Ensure endpoint accepts POST requests with JSON
- Review webhook logs in Static Forms dashboard
Related Documentation
- File Uploads Guide
- Webhook Integration
- Auto-Responders
- Spam Protection
- Altcha CAPTCHA
- Application Form Tutorial
Ready to Build?
Upgrade to Pro to start accepting applications with file uploads, webhooks, and advanced features. Or follow our tutorial to build your first application form.