This article explains how to set up the automated screening feature. This feature allows you to identify suitable candidates more efficiently.

With automated screening, you can filter unqualified candidates by setting specific screening questions. When applying, candidates see the required questions. If their answers don’t meet your criteria, their application is rejected.

Before you start

• To set up automated screening, you need permissions for your company's Recruiting settings.
• When creating your automated screening questions, make sure to comply with local work legislation. Provide equal opportunities for candidates and adhere to anti-discrimination practices. Refer to our general guidelines on the use of automated screening.  

Step 1: Create your automated screening questions 

You need to create your automated screening questions as candidate attributes. To do so:

1. Go to Settings > Recruiting.
2. Click the Attributes tab.
3. In the Candidate profile section, click Add new attribute.
4. Fill in the following fields:
   ▶︎ Choose the List of options attribute type. This is the only attribute type that works for automated screening.
   ▶︎ Enter your automated screening question under the attribute name field. For example, "Do you have a driving license?"
   ▶︎ Add the options, for example, "yes" or "no".
5. Save your new attribute.

Step 2: Create an email template

You need to set up an email template for automatically disqualified candidates. Learn how to create an email template.

Step 3: Enable automated screening

Tip:
You need to add your screening questions in the Application form section, described below. If you don’t, the option to enable the feature in the Automated screening section appears grayed out.

You enable automated screening in the job creation flow. Follow these steps:

1. Follow the steps to create a new job.
2. When you get to the Application form section, add your screening questions as new fields.
3. When you get to the Automated screening section, enable the feature.
4. Select the questions and the answers that lead to disqualification. If you add more than one question, the automation works as soon as any of the criteria are met.
5. Select the relevant email template and define the email sender.
6. Define when candidates receive the automated email.
7. Finish creating your job. 

You can also add the feature to an existing job via the Edit button.

Notifications about rejected candidates

Certain employees receive notifications related to automated screening. They receive a daily notification at 9 AM in their company's local time zone. This informs them of how many new auto-rejected applications have arrived in the past 24 hours.

Employees receive notifications if they:

• Are part of the hiring team for a specific job.
• Have permissions to applications.
• Have enabled notifications for new applications.

Next steps

Access auto-disqualified applications

Personio moves all auto-disqualified candidates to the system stage Rejected. You can find disqualified candidates in the Applications tab of the job details. You can also filter for rejected candidates in the main Application List. All relevant candidate profiles have the tag auto-disqualified.

Refer to our frequently asked questions on automated screening for more information.