This article explains what candidate attributes are in Personio. It also outlines the two different types of candidate attributes and how to manage them.

Overview of candidate attributes

What are candidate attributes?

Candidate attributes are the various characteristics associated with a candidate's profile. There are two types of candidate attributes:

1. System candidate attributes are predefined in Personio. These include key candidate details, such as first name, last name, email, etc.
2. Custom candidate attributes are attributes you create. These can be used to collect specific information not covered by the system attributes. For example, you might create an attribute for "full driving license" or "English proficiency level".

Where does the data for candidate attributes come from?

The data for candidate attributes can come from different sources. For example:

• Attributes filled by candidates through the job application form, such as their name and email.
• Attributes from the job opening’s metadata, such as department.
• Attributes parsed from the candidate’s CV, such as their current title or years of experience.

Where can I view candidate attributes?

You can view candidate attributes in the Candidate information section of a candidate’s profile. This includes system attributes and also any custom attributes that you create.

You can also get an overview of candidate attributes in the Application List. The information is arranged in columns. Furthermore, all system and custom attributes can be used as filters in the Application List.

Access rights for candidate attributes

Candidate attributes are categorized under two sections in the settings:

1. Candidate profile
2. HR information

You can set access rights separately for the two sections via recruiting roles. To set these access rights, go to Settings, then to Recruiting > Roles and define the appropriate access rights in the Profile section. 

Note
The HR information section contains sensitive data about the candidate. Therefore, you should only give specific employees access to this section.

The two types of candidate attributes

1. System candidate attributes

System candidate attributes are predefined in Personio. When you hire a candidate, Personio transfers the following attributes to their employee profile:

• First name
• Last name
• Gender
• Date of birth
• Email
• Office
• Department
• Position
• Legal entity

There are additional system attributes listed below. Personio does not transfer these attributes to a successful candidate's employee profile. This is because they are only relevant to the recruiting process.

• Available from
• Channel
• Expected salary
• Location
• Current employer
• Current title
• Years of experience
• Public profile

Tip
System attributes are translated automatically to other languages, so you do not need to enter a translation manually.

2. Custom candidate attributes

You have the option to create custom candidate attributes. You can create these attributes to collect specific information. For example, you might create an attribute for "full driving license" or "English proficiency level".

To create a new custom candidate attribute, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings > Recruiting.
2. Click the Attributes tab.
3. In the left sidebar, select Candidate profile or HR information.
4. Click Add new attribute.
5. Select an attribute type from the drop-down menu and enter an attribute name.
6. Save the new attribute.

Translations

You can also select a translation for the attribute. The employees participating in the recruiting process will see the candidate profile in the same language they have set in their Personio account. The candidate will also see the application form in the same language they are browsing in. If a translation is missing, the candidate attribute will show in the default language.

Manage candidate attributes in the settings

You can move candidate attributes between the Candidate profile and HR information sections. To do so, go to Settings, and to Recruiting > Attributes. Then drag a custom attribute and drop it over the name of the section on the left sidebar.

If you change the attribute type for an existing attribute (for example, from “Text” to “List of options”), the values on the candidate profile for that attribute are not automatically updated. You need to edit them directly in the candidate profile. Any changes also affect the candidate application form available through the career page (if activated).