Candidate Screening Template
Screen CVs against job requirements in Google Sheets with AI: fit score, rationale and extracted skills per candidate with =GPT() formulas. Free template.
Two hundred applications, one hiring manager, a weekend. Paste CV or profile text into a sheet, score every candidate against the same requirements, and spend your reading time on the top of the ranked list — with a rationale column keeping every score accountable.
Layout
Put the job requirements in F1 once, e.g. “Senior backend engineer: 5+ years Python, production cloud experience, has led projects; nice to have: fintech background”. Then:
| Column | Content | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| A | Candidate name | — |
| B | CV / profile text | — |
| C | Fit score 1–10 | see below |
| D | Rationale | see below |
| E | Years of experience | =GPT_EXTRACT(B2, "total years of relevant professional experience, number only") |
The formulas
Score, in C2:
=GPT("Score this candidate 1-10 against these requirements: "&$F$1&". Judge only job-related evidence. Reply with the number only.", B2)
Rationale, in D2:
=GPT("In two sentences: how does this candidate match these requirements — "&$F$1&" — and what is the biggest gap?", B2)
Variations
- Shortlist bucket —
=GPT_CLASSIFY(C2, "1-4: decline, 5-7: maybe, 8-10: interview")turns scores into a pipeline column. - Skills checklist — one column per must-have:
=GPT("Does this CV show evidence of "&G$1&"? Answer yes, weak, or no.", $B2)and drag across. - Screening questions —
=GPT("Write 3 interview questions probing this candidate's specific gaps against: "&$F$1, B2)preps the phone screen. - Structured summary —
=GPT_SUMMARIZE(B2, "3 bullets: current role, standout achievement, career trajectory")for the panel doc.
Get started
- Install GPT for Sheets from the Google Workspace Marketplace (free tier included, no API keys needed).
- Paste candidate text into column B and the job requirements into F1.
- Drag the formulas down your rows, then use Replace all GPT formulas with results before sorting by score.
Function reference: GPT functions for Google Sheets.
FAQ
Can AI make the hiring decision?
No, and it shouldn’t — this template orders your reading pile, it does not replace judgment. Every score comes with a rationale column so a human can see and challenge the reasoning. Check the AI-in-hiring regulations that apply in your jurisdiction.
How do I keep the screening fair and comparable?
Every candidate is scored against the same requirements cell with the same prompt — more consistent than a tired reviewer at CV number 80. Keep the criteria job-related, and review a sample of low scorers to check nothing systematic is being missed.
How many applications can I screen at once?
GPT for Sheets processes up to 10,000 results per hour — a few hundred applications with three or four analysis columns finish comfortably in one run.