Announcing SmartApply by Pier for Small Business Owners
A new product built for SMB owners: collect resumes, add one custom question, and receive Candidate Fit reports so you can hire faster without losing focus on the business.
We’re excited to announce SmartApply by Pier, a new product designed specifically for small business owners who hire without dedicated HR support. SmartApply streamlines your applicant flow so you can move faster, see real signal, and stay focused on running the business.
Hiring for SMBs often starts with a flood of resumes that are hard to compare and easy to overlook. AI‑polished materials blur the line between candidates, and reviewing every application takes time you don’t have. SmartApply solves that by turning each application into a clear, decision‑ready summary.
What SmartApply does
SmartApply is a short, structured intake flow that turns every application into a Candidate Fit report in three simple steps:
- Collect resumes in one place. Candidates apply through your SmartApply link, so you never chase files or dig through inboxes.
- Ask one custom question. After submitting a resume, each candidate answers your question. For a barista role, that might be: “What makes you passionate about coffee?”
- Get a Candidate Fit report. You receive a clear summary of each applicant, including strengths, gaps, and next‑step recommendations.
The result: you see real signal quickly — without sorting piles of PDFs or wasting hours on the wrong candidates.
See SmartApply in action for small business owners.
View the Small Business Owner use case →
Why the custom question matters
Cover letters are out. They’re generic, time‑consuming, and often just as AI‑polished as resumes. A single, well‑crafted question does more work than a two‑page cover letter ever could.
Your custom question helps surface what matters most for your business:
- Motivation and fit for the role
- Real‑world experience you care about
- Communication style you’ll see on the floor
The answers aren’t the only signal — but they’re powerful. Combined with resume context, they help identify the applicants who stand out for the right reasons.
What the Candidate Fit report gives you
SmartApply doesn’t just give you more information. It gives you usable information.
Each Candidate Fit report is designed to make decisions easier, not harder. It highlights:
- Strengths and potential red flags
- Evidence that supports or challenges fit
- A clear recommendation for next steps
That means you spend your interview time with the right people — and walk into those conversations already prepared.
Built for small business realities
Big companies can throw headcount at hiring. Small businesses can’t. SmartApply is designed around that reality.
With SmartApply, you can:
- Avoid hours of resume review by using structured signal instead
- Make confident decisions quickly without sacrificing quality
- Keep your day focused on the business while hiring still moves forward
It’s a hiring tool built to match how SMBs actually operate: fast, practical, and focused.
A simple example
Imagine you’re hiring for a barista role. You’ve got 50 applications. Instead of reading 50 resumes end‑to‑end, SmartApply helps you zero in on the strongest candidates quickly.
You ask one question: “What makes you passionate about coffee?” The response helps surface the applicants who actually care about the craft and customer experience. Meanwhile, the Candidate Fit report captures those responses alongside resume context and provides a ready‑to‑use summary.
You still make the final call — but now you’re making it with signal, not guesswork.