XING Custom Apply Questions

Overview

This document describes how to use standard questions and custom questions when posting jobs to XING, either via JSON API or XML feed.

It covers:

Which standard questions are supported
Which values are supported for each question
How to configure them in the JSON API
How to configure them in the XML feed

There are two question categories:

Custom questions are recruiter-defined questions with configurable wording and type.
Standard questions are predefined questions with fixed IDs and fixed answer formats. Some of them can also be used as screening criteria to automatically reject applicants who do not meet certain requirements.

A form may contain:

Only standard questions
Only custom questions
Or a mix of both

Important rules:

The mandatory id field in every question is used as the key when submitting the applicant’s answers to the ATS.
Make sure each id is unique and meaningful for downstream processing.
This allows the client to change the wording of a question while a job is already posted without having to change the id of the question.

Custom Questions

Custom questions allow the client to define their own questions that will be shown to the applicant during the application process.

These questions are displayed after the default XING Instant Apply questions and the standardized questions.

The order they are shown to the applicant is determined by the order they are defined in the custom_questions array.

Each custom question object must include the following fields:

Field	Type	Required	Description
`type`	String	Yes	The type of the question. Must be one of the supported custom question types below.
`id`	String	Yes	Unique identifier for the question.
`question`	String	Yes	The question text shown to the applicant.
`required`	Boolean	No	Whether answering is mandatory. Defaults to `false.`

Additional options can or must be provided based on the question type, as described below.

In order to have some data integrity, we enforce the following limits:

We allow a maximum of 50 custom questions.
The string for a question can be at maximum 255 characters long.

Text Input

type: "text"

Free text input for applicants to provide their answers. It can be used for single-line or multiline text input, decided via the multiline option.

Additional options for text inputs:

Field	Type	Required	Default	Description
`multiline`	Boolean	No	`false`	Allows multiline input.

Returned value:

The value returned for text inputs is a plain string containing the applicant’s response.

Date Input

type: "date"

A date input allows the applicant to select a date.

Returned value:

The value returned for date inputs is the selected date as a string formatted as YYYY-MM-DD .

Boolean Input

type: "boolean"

Simple true/false question. It will likely be rendered as a checkbox, switch, or similar.

If the field is not required, the answer can be null .

Returned value:

The value returned is a simple boolean true or false .

Numeric Input

type: "numeric"

Free numeric input for applicants to provide a number. Currently, only integer values are supported.

Default allowed range is 0 to 100000000 . Limits can be adjusted via options.

Additional options for numeric inputs:

Field	Type	Required	Default	Description
`min`	Integer	No	`0`	Minimum allowed value. Cannot be lower than `-100000000.`
`max`	Integer	No	`100000000`	Maximum allowed value. Cannot be higher than `100000000.`

Returned value:

The value returned for numeric inputs is an integer representing the applicant’s response.

Select Input

type: "select"

The applicant is presented with a list of options to choose from. They are able to select one or multiple choices.

Additional attributes for select inputs:

Field	Type	Required	Description
`options`	Array	Yes	List of selectable options. See below.
`maximum_choices_allowed`	Integer	No, default: `1`	If set to `1` (default), it is a single-select field. If set to a value greater than `1` , it uses a multi-select interface. It can be set to a number equal to or higher than the given options to allow selecting all.

Each option in the options array should have the following structure:

Field	Type	Required	Description
`label`	String	Yes	Display text for the option.
`value`	String	Yes	Value submitted when this option is selected.

We enforce the following limits for select questions:

We allow a maximum of 270 options.
The string for the label can be at maximum 255 characters long.
Shorter strings are strongly encouraged as the UI might only show the first 50 or so characters.

Returned value:

If maximum_choices_allowed is not given or maximum_choices_allowed == 1 , the value returned is the selected option value as a string.
If maximum_choices_allowed > 1 , the value returned is an array with the values of the selected options.

File Upload

type: "file"

A file upload option allows applicants to upload files. Currently, no custom limitation of file types is supported. Files are checked for viruses on our side.

Returned value:

This returns an object containing the uploaded file’s information.

Field	Type	Description
`content_type`	String	The MIME type of the uploaded file.
`data`	String	The base64-encoded content of the file.
`file_name`	String	The original name of the uploaded file.

Standard Questions

Standard question IDs use the reserved namespace xing.standard.* .

Do not use xing.standard.* for custom question IDs.
Standard questions are localized by XING before they are shown to candidates.
Standard questions with predefined answer options must use the values defined in this document.
If you need different wording or a different option set, use a custom question instead.

Supported Questions

Question	Question Type	Supported Answer Values	Supported Screening Rule	Notes
Notice period `xing.standard.notice_period`	Single-select	`immediately` , `2_weeks` , `1_month` , `2_months` , `3_months` , `6_months` , `other`	None
English level `xing.standard.language_skills.english`	Single-select	`0` , `1` , `2` , `3` , `4`	`must_be_at_least`	`0` = none, `1` = basic, `2` = good, `3` = fluent, `4` = first language
German level `xing.standard.language_skills.german`	Single-select	`0` , `1` , `2` , `3` , `4`	`must_be_at_least`	`0` = none, `1` = basic, `2` = good, `3` = fluent, `4` = first language
Salary expectation `xing.standard.salary_expectation`	Numeric	Integer >= 0	`must_be_below`	Salary is yearly in EUR
Eligibility to work in the EU `xing.standard.eu_work_eligibility`	Boolean	`true` or `false`	`must_be_true`
Country of residence `xing.standard.country_of_residence`	Country	ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code, for example `DE` , `ES` , `CH`	None	Must not be used as a screen-out criterion
City of residence `xing.standard.city_of_residence`	Text	String, max 500 characters	None
Driving license `xing.standard.driving_license`	Boolean	`true` or `false`	`must_be_true`
Gender `xing.standard.gender`	Single-select	`m` , `f` , `o` , `na`	None	Always optional. This is phrased as “how should we address you?”
Cover letter `xing.standard.cover_letter`	File	Uploaded file key	None
Work certificate `xing.standard.work_certificate`	File	Uploaded file key	None	Arbeitszeugnis
Education certificate `xing.standard.education_certificate`	File	Uploaded file key	None	Abschlusszeugnis
Additional comments `xing.standard.additional_comments`	Text	String, max 500 characters	None	Multiline text. Always optional. Rendered at the end of the application form.

Screening Rule Semantics

Rule	Meaning	Example
`must_be_at_least`	The applicant answer must be greater than or equal to the configured value.	If the configured threshold is 3, then 3 and 4 pass, while 0, 1, and 2 fail.
`must_be_below`	The applicant answer must be strictly lower than the configured value.	If the configured threshold is 90000, then 85000 passes, while 90000 and 95000 fail.
`must_be_true`	The applicant answer must be `true.`	If `must_be_true` is configured, then `true` passes and `false fails.`

Missing Answers And Screening

If a screening rule is configured and the applicant does not provide an answer, the application does not satisfy the screening rule.

Validation And Limitations

xing.standard.gender is always optional, even if you send it as required.
For xing.standard.gender, the required flag is ignored.
xing.standard.gender must not be used as a screen-out criterion.
xing.standard.country_of_residence must not be used as a screen-out criterion.
Unknown standard question IDs are ignored.
Blank standard question IDs are ignored.
Duplicate standard question IDs are de-duplicated. Only the first occurrence is kept.
Custom question IDs must be unique.
Do not reuse a standard-question ID as a custom-question ID.

JSON API

This section describes how the questions should be included in the JSON payload when creating job postings via our E-Recruiting JSON API.

JSON Request Structure

Field	Required	Type	Description
`standard_questions`	Yes	Array	List of configured standard questions
`custom_questions`	Yes	Array	List of configured custom questions

Notes:

standard_questions and custom_questions can be used together.
If you only use standard questions, send "custom_questions": [].
If you only use custom questions, send "standard_questions": [].

Standard Questions In JSON

Canonical JSON example

{
  "standard_questions": [
    {
      "id": "xing.standard.notice_period",
      "required": true
    },
    {
      "id": "xing.standard.language_skills.english",
      "required": true,
      "must_be_at_least": 3
    },
    {
      "id": "xing.standard.salary_expectation",
      "required": true,
      "must_be_below": 90000
    },
    {
      "id": "xing.standard.eu_work_eligibility",
      "required": true,
      "must_be_true": true
    },
    {
      "id": "xing.standard.country_of_residence",
      "required": true
    },
    {
      "id": "xing.standard.gender",
      "required": false
    },
    {
      "id": "xing.standard.cover_letter",
      "required": false
    }
  ],
  "custom_questions": []
}

Supported JSON fields for standard questions

Field	Required	Type	Applies To	Notes
`id`	Yes	String	All standard questions	Must be one of the supported IDs
`required`	No	Boolean	All standard questions	For `xing.standard.gender` , this flag is ignored and the question remains optional.
`must_be_at_least`	No	Integer	English and German language skills	Inclusive minimum threshold
`must_be_below`	No	Integer	Salary expectation	Strict maximum threshold for yearly salary in EUR
`must_be_true`	No	Boolean	EU work eligibility and driving license	If set, only `true` passes screening

Custom Questions In JSON

Canonical JSON example

{
  "standard_questions": [
    {
      "id": "xing.standard.city_of_residence",
      "required": true
    }
  ],
  "custom_questions": [
    {
      "type": "text",
      "id": "motivation",
      "question": "Why do you want to work with us?",
      "multiline": true,
      "required": false
    },
    {
      "type": "date",
      "id": "starting_date",
      "question": "When could you start?",
      "required": true
    },
    {
      "type": "select",
      "id": "preferred_location",
      "question": "Which location do you prefer?",
      "required": true,
      "options": [
        { "label": "Berlin", "value": "berlin" },
        { "label": "Hamburg", "value": "hamburg" },
        { "label": "Remote", "value": "remote" }
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "select",
      "id": "preferred_locations",
      "question": "Which locations would you accept?",
      "required": false,
      "maximum_choices_allowed": 2,
      "options": [
        { "label": "Berlin", "value": "berlin" },
        { "label": "Hamburg", "value": "hamburg" },
        { "label": "Remote", "value": "remote" }
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "numeric",
      "id": "years_of_experience",
      "question": "How many years of experience do you have?",
      "required": false,
      "min": 0,
      "max": 50
    },
    {
      "type": "boolean",
      "id": "willing_to_relocate",
      "question": "Are you willing to relocate?",
      "required": false
    },
    {
      "type": "file",
      "id": "portfolio",
      "question": "Upload your portfolio",
      "required": false
    }
  ]
}

JSON Answer Examples

Single-value answers

{ "id": "motivation", "value": "I want to join because..." }
{ "id": "starting_date", "value": "2026-05-01" }
{ "id": "preferred_location", "value": "remote" }
{ "id": "years_of_experience", "value": "7" }
{ "id": "willing_to_relocate", "value": "true" }
{ "id": "portfolio", "value": "uploaded-file-key-123" }
{ "id": "xing.standard.country_of_residence", "value": "DE" }

Multi-select answers

{ "id": "preferred_locations", "values": ["berlin", "remote"] }

XML Feed

This section describes how to include standard and custom questions via our E-Recruiting feed.

XML Structure

Naming Convention

In XML, field names use snake_case .

Structure

Root element: apply_questions
Standard questions container: standard_questions
Standard question element: standard_question
Custom questions container: custom_questions
Custom question element: question

Empty Sections

If a section is empty, you can send an empty container.

Standard Questions In XML

Canonical XML example

<apply_questions>
  <standard_questions>
    <standard_question>
      <id>xing.standard.notice_period</id>
      <required>true</required>
    </standard_question>

    <standard_question>
      <id>xing.standard.language_skills.english</id>
      <required>true</required>
      <must_be_at_least>3</must_be_at_least>
    </standard_question>

    <standard_question>
      <id>xing.standard.salary_expectation</id>
      <required>true</required>
      <must_be_below>90000</must_be_below>
    </standard_question>

    <standard_question>
      <id>xing.standard.eu_work_eligibility</id>
      <required>true</required>
      <must_be_true>true</must_be_true>
    </standard_question>

    <standard_question>
      <id>xing.standard.country_of_residence</id>
      <required>true</required>
    </standard_question>

    <standard_question>
      <id>xing.standard.gender</id>
      <required>false</required>
    </standard_question>

    <standard_question>
      <id>xing.standard.cover_letter</id>
      <required>false</required>
    </standard_question>
  </standard_questions>

  <custom_questions />
</apply_questions>

Supported XML fields for standard questions

Field	Required	Applies To	Notes
`<id>`	Yes	All standard questions	Must be one of the supported IDs
`<required>`	No	All standard questions	For `xing.standard.gender` , this field is ignored and the question remains optional.
`<must_be_at_least>`	No	English and German language skills	Inclusive minimum threshold
`<must_be_below>`	No	Salary expectation	Strict maximum threshold for yearly salary in EUR
`<must_be_true>`	No	EU work eligibility and driving license	If set, only `true` passes screening

Custom Questions In XML

Canonical XML example

<apply_questions>
  <standard_questions>
    <standard_question>
      <id>xing.standard.city_of_residence</id>
      <required>true</required>
    </standard_question>
  </standard_questions>

  <custom_questions>
    <question type="text" id="motivation" multiline="true" required="false">
      <text>Why do you want to work with us?</text>
    </question>

    <question type="date" id="starting_date" required="true">
      <text>When could you start?</text>
    </question>

    <question type="select" id="preferred_location" required="true">
      <text>Which location do you prefer?</text>
      <options>
        <option label="Berlin" value="berlin" />
        <option label="Hamburg" value="hamburg" />
        <option label="Remote" value="remote" />
      </options>
    </question>

    <question type="select" id="preferred_locations" required="false" maximum_choices_allowed="2">
      <text>Which locations would you accept?</text>
      <options>
        <option label="Berlin" value="berlin" />
        <option label="Hamburg" value="hamburg" />
        <option label="Remote" value="remote" />
      </options>
    </question>

    <question type="numeric" id="years_of_experience" required="false" min="0" max="50">
      <text>How many years of experience do you have?</text>
    </question>

    <question type="boolean" id="willing_to_relocate" required="false">
      <text>Are you willing to relocate?</text>
    </question>

    <question type="file" id="portfolio" required="false">
      <text>Upload your portfolio</text>
    </question>
  </custom_questions>
</apply_questions>

XML Rules For Custom Questions

Field	Usage / Meaning
`type`	Use the `type` attribute to define the question type.
`id`	Use the `id` attribute for the unique question ID.
`<text>`	Use the element for the candidate-facing question text.
`<options>`	Use for select questions.
`required`	Use the `required` attribute where applicable.
`multiline`	Use the `multiline` attribute for text questions.
`maximum_choices_allowed`	For multi-select questions, use `type="select"` together with `maximum_choices_allowed` greater than `1` .
`min` and `max`	Use the `min` and `max attributes` for numeric questions.
`label`	Display text only
`value`	The contract value that will be returned in the answer