An application for employment or job application is a standard business document that is prepared with questions deemed relevant by employers. It is used to determine the best candidate to fill a specific role within the company. Most companies provide such forms to anyone upon request, at which point the applicant is responsible for completing the form and returning it to the employer for consideration. The completed and returned document notifies the company of the applicant's availability and willingness to be employed, as well as their qualifications and background, so that a determination can be made regarding the candidate's suitability for the position.

From the employer's perspective, the application serves several purposes. These vary depending on the nature of the job and the preferences of the person responsible for hiring, as "each organization should have an application form that reflects its own environment". At a minimum, an application usually requires the applicant to provide information sufficient to demonstrate that they are legally permitted to be employed. The typical application also requires the applicant to provide information regarding relevant skills, education, and experience (previous employment or volunteer work). The application itself is a minor test of the applicant's literacy, penmanship, and communication skills. A careless job applicant might disqualify themselves with a poorly filled-out application.

The application may also require the applicant to disclose any criminal record and provide information sufficient for the employer to conduct an appropriate background check. For a business that employs workers on a part-time basis, the application may ask about the applicant's availability on specific days and/or times, as well as any preferences. Employers may be prohibited from asking applicants about characteristics that are not relevant to the job, such as their political views or sexual orientation.

For white-collar jobs, particularly those requiring communication skills, employers typically require applicants to submit a cover letter and a résumé with the form. However, even employers who accept a cover letter and résumé will frequently also require the applicant to complete an application form, as the other documents may neglect to mention specific details of importance to the employer. In some instances, an application is effectively used to dissuade "walk-in" applicants, serving as a barrier between the applicant and a job interview with the person who has the authority to hire.

For many businesses, employment applications can be completed online rather than submitted in person. However, it is still recommended that applicants bring a printed copy of their application to an interview.

Application forms are the second most common hiring instrument, next to personal interviews. Companies will occasionally use two types of application forms, short and long.^{[citation needed]} They help companies with initial screening and the longer form can be used for other purposes as well^{[clarification needed]}. The answers applicants submit are helpful to the company because they can become interview questions for that applicant.

The employment application is not a standardized form, so every company may create its own as long as the regulations set by the government are adhered to.

At a minimum, applications ask for the applicant's name, phone number, and address. In addition, applications may also ask for previous employment information, educational background, emergency contacts, and references, as well as any special skills the applicant might have.