Top 5 essential WordPress job application plugins for a streamlined hiring process

Hiring top talent is the key to your organization’s success. But managing applicants can be overwhelming without the right tools. Thankfully, WordPress plugins for job applications are here to save the day.

With the right plugins, it’s easier than ever to post job openings and manage candidates. You’ll save time, stay organized, and ensure a smooth experience for all involved.

Even better, you don’t need extensive technical experience to make the most of these job listing plugins. In this post, I explore the top five WordPress plugins for job applications. Ready to simplify your hiring process? Let’s dive in! 

What makes a great WordPress job application plugin?

There are many job application plugins for WordPress, but they aren’t all created equal. The best tools offer a mix of user-friendly features, design, and versatility. As you explore the options, be on the lookout for:

Customizable forms

No two jobs are exactly alike, so flexibility is essential. Choose a plugin that allows you to tailor job postings and application forms to fit your unique needs. Custom fields, filters, and layouts help ensure you collect the right information from the start—whether you’re hiring for a single role or creating a full job board.

Integration with other tools

A great plugin plays well with others. Look for options that integrate with email platforms, applicant tracking systems, or HR software. These connections help streamline your application management and keep your hiring process organized. 

Built-in spam protection

Don’t let spam submissions clog up your hiring pipeline. Choose a plugin with a built-in spam prevention tool like Google reCAPTCHA to filter out bots and fake applications. You’ll save time and dedicate your energy to real candidates. 

Ease of use — for everyone

Whether you’re a job seeker or an employer, the recruitment process can be a headache. The ideal WordPress plugin for job listings or job boards should make every step intuitive. For applicants, this may mean logical application layouts. And for you, the best plugin makes managing and tracking submissions straightforward. 

Now that you know what kind of tool to look for, let’s dive into five WordPress plugins with outstanding job application features and functionality.

1. Gravity Forms with GravityView

Premium/free: Starts at $129/year.

Typical users: Small business owners, web agencies, and job site builders.

It all starts with the job listing. Look no further than Gravity Forms—the most powerful form-building plugin for WordPress. Gravity Forms’ drag-and-drop builder makes it fast and easy to create job application forms. Start with the Employment Application Form template, and then customize by adding, removing, or reordering fields.

Gravity Forms includes many features to enhance job applications, such as:

• File uploads for resumes, certifications, etc.
• Multi-page forms to avoid information overload
• Several spam prevention methods 
• Email notifications and confirmation messages for total clarity
• Integrations with other tools like email or HR systems

Of course, managing job applications is as essential as receiving them. That’s where GravityView comes in. Use this add-on to display and review form submissions in a more organized and manageable way. For example, create a table layout where you can sort, filter, and group applications by status (like “Approved,” “Needs Review,” or “Rejected”). 

GravityView enables your staff members to review applications from the front end, avoiding admin access on your WordPress site. You can even create a full job board if you have multiple openings or you host a job board for several companies.

Gravity Forms with the GravityView add-on is a completely customizable solution for creating dynamic web apps on WordPress without code. That’s why it’s perfect for building recruitment platforms or job application managemenet systems WordPress. And best of all? It’s user-friendly for both applicants and managers. 

Demo available?

Yes! GravityView has several free demos to explore, including an employment applications management demo and a job board demo.   

Key features

• Job application form template
• Customizable form fields and layouts
• Supports file uploads
• Multi-page forms
• Spam protection
• Email notifications
• Front-end tables with sort, filter, and grouping
• Job board creation capabilities

2. WP Job Openings

Premium/free: Free version available; Pro plans start at $69/year.

Typical users: Recruitment agencies and job board hosts.

WP Job Openings is an effective WordPress plugin for recruiters and hiring managers. It boasts a simple setup with lots of supporting documentation. Plus, its front end design is clean and organized.

This WordPress plugin for job listings has many useful features, including a few unique options you may not find elsewhere. 

WP Job Openings offers unlimited job specifications for advanced filtering on the front and back ends. With JobListing Schema, posts are SEO-optimized, allowing more candidates to find your openings. Plus, this plugin includes a limited-access HR user role. Assign this role to relevant staff members, who can then manage applications from your site without full admin access.

WP Job Openings is a great choice for job listings, but custom form building—plus other features like rating or categorizing applications—is only available with a Pro license. So, this plugin may be best for larger recruitment agencies or users with standard application requirements.

Demo available?

Yes, see WP Job Openings in action with a free demo.

Key features

• Simple set up
• Clean front-end design
• Powerful sort and filter system
• Unlimited job specifications
• Job expiry management
• JobListing Schema
• HR user roles
• Many Pro features to enhance user experience

3. Job Manager & Career

Premium/free: Free version available; Premium subscriptions start at $49/year.

Typical users: Busy hiring managers and businesses with many job openings.

Job Manager & Career is another freemium job application plugin for WordPress. It supports file uploads in multiple formats, job specifications with smart filtering, custom CSS, automated email responses, and more.

One of the coolest features by Job Manager & Career is the featured listing badge. This tool is perfect for urgent job openings and ensures candidates see the featured posts right away. There’s also a social share function, which increases your outreach.

If reviewing job applications alongside resumes feels too redundant, you can create job listings with custom text instead of application fields. For example, you might instruct them to email their resume to a certain address or answer a secret question to verify they’ve read the job requirements. 

For those who prefer simple, out-of-the-box applications or favor resumes over applications in general, this plugin is a great choice. However, since custom form fields and many of the more useful features require a premium plan, it won’t be for everyone. 

Demo available?

Absolutely! Try the free demo here. 

Key features

• Simple job detail management
• Sort and filter job specifications
• Featured Listing badges
• Supports multiple file upload formats
• Email notifications and social shares
• reCAPTCHA validation
• Compatible with a variety of WordPress themes

4. ApplyOnline

Premium/free: Free version available; Premium Pack starts at $145 for six months.

Typical users: Multi-faceted organizations and tech-savvy users.

ApplyOnline is another popular WordPress plugin for job applications. But its capabilities don’t stop there. ApplyOnline is also suitable for class registrations, event bookings, and beyond. It’s a very versatile tool for all sorts of ads, including job postings.

This plugin features a drag-and-drop form builder complete with thumbnail images and job categories. Users can filter the job ads by the criteria you set, and view more details like job descriptions and location. They can also upload documents like resumes or transcripts.

ApplyOnline includes an AOL Manager user role for application management. Users assigned this role can review applications without accessing your entire WordPress admin panel.

This WordPress plugin offers some flexibility with à la carte add-ons, but the prices can add up. You may prefer the Premium Pack bundle. It’s also important to note that ApplyOnline involves using short codes, so less tech-savvy customers may need extra support.

Demo available?

Yes, try the live demo now!

Key features

• Multiple ad types
• Drag-and-drop form builder
• Seamless design integration with your existing site
• Ad filtering
• Multiple file attachment fields
• Managed user role
• Email notifications
• Single purchase add-ons

5. WP Job Portal

Premium/free: Free version available; Premium bundles start at $49/year.

Typical users: Recruiting agencies and job portal creators.

The fifth and final WordPress plugin for job applications is WP Job Portal. This plugin is a robust solution for custom applications along with job board creation and listing management.

It supports unlimited job types with advanced fields for application versatility, including text boxes, radio buttons, checkboxes, and more. Employers can even add job postings from the front end. This is especially useful if you’re hosting a job board.

WP Job Portal is great for candidates, boasting features like resume parsing and even a resume builder. And, of course, they can also search, sort, and filter specific job types and openings.

Another unique feature worth mentioning is the integrated messaging system. This enables you to communicate with applicants right from within the plugin (never worry about missing an email again!).

Demo available?

You bet. Try out WP Job Portal here. 

Key features

• Comprehensive recruiting solution
• Custom fields for job ads
• Unlimited job categories
• Featured jobs and companies 
• Paid submissions for third-party companies
• Job alerts for candidates
• reCAPTCHA spam prevention
• Optional user registrations

Choosing the right WordPress job application plugin

Ready to meet your next round of candidates? By using one of the above five WordPress plugins for job applications, the process is easier than ever!

While all of these tools have unique benefits, Gravity Forms with GravityView has one crucial advantage: Instead of managing applications in the WordPress admin panel, you can create user-friendly charts and lists—all accessible from the front end. This is an incredible benefit that makes it easier than ever to manage applicants without getting too nitty-gritty within WordPress.

Get started with GravityView today. You won’t regret it!