Yes! You can use AI to fill out Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Application for Employment (ISBE 61-08)
The ISBE Application for Employment (ISBE 61-08) is the official employment application used by the Illinois State Board of Education to evaluate candidates for open positions. It collects standardized information about an applicant’s identity, eligibility to work in the U.S., position preferences, education, detailed work history, and professional references. The form must be completed fully and signed and dated to be considered valid. It also includes an optional voluntary self-identification section for ethnicity and disability to support Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action reporting.
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Form specifications
| Form name: | Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Application for Employment (ISBE 61-08) |
| Number of pages: | 3 |
| Filled form examples: | Form ISBE 61-08 Examples |
| Language: | English |
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Follow these steps to fill out your ISBE 61-08 form online using Instafill.ai:
- 1 Enter your personal information (name, last 4 digits of SSN, address, phone numbers, email) and indicate whether you have previously worked for ISBE (non-consulting).
- 2 Complete eligibility and work preference questions, including work authorization/citizenship or visa details, willingness to relocate/travel, temporary work acceptance, car availability, and driver’s license status, plus preferred work location.
- 3 Answer the state educational loan default question and attach a signed, detailed explanation if you answer “Yes.”
- 4 List the position(s) you are applying for and the corresponding inventory number(s).
- 5 Fill out your education history (schools, years completed, location, major/field, diploma/degree) and add any other licenses, certificates, relevant experience, and computer skills.
- 6 Provide a complete work history starting with your current/most recent employer, including dates, addresses, job titles, supervisor information, duties, supervisory responsibilities, and reasons for leaving (attach additional pages if needed).
- 7 Add three non-relative references, then sign and date the authorization/certification section; optionally complete the voluntary ethnicity and disability self-identification section and include any requested attachments (cover letter, resume, transcripts).
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Frequently Asked Questions About Form ISBE 61-08
This is the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Application for Employment. It collects your personal information, work history, education, references, and required acknowledgments so ISBE can evaluate you for the position(s) you list.
Anyone applying for an ISBE job opening should complete it, even if you are also submitting a resume and cover letter. You should complete all sections that apply to you and list the specific position(s) and inventory number(s) you are applying for.
Yes—ISBE instructs applicants to answer all questions completely, and the work history section states that all fields must be completed for consideration. The only optional part is the Voluntary Release of Ethnic Information/Disability section.
The form must be dated and signed where indicated or it is not valid. Missing required fields (especially in work history) may also prevent your application from being considered.
The form requests your Social Security number for identification purposes, but it specifies “Last 4 digits only.” Do not enter your full SSN on this form.
The signature section prompts you to include a cover letter and resume and to attach copies of transcripts. If you answer “yes” to being in default on a state educational loan, you must attach a signed detailed explanation.
List each job title you are applying for and the corresponding “Inventory #” from the vacancy posting. You can list multiple positions (up to eight) on the form.
You may attach a separate sheet if you need additional space, but it should follow the same format as the form. Start with your current or most recent employer and complete every field (dates, address, supervisor, duties, and reason for leaving).
If you supervised others, check “Yes” and enter the number of staff you directed and/or evaluated. If you did not supervise anyone, check “No” and leave the staff number blank or enter 0 if you prefer.
No—the form states “Please do not list relatives.” If you are a college student, you should include faculty references.
Answer the question about whether you have ever worked for ISBE (not in a consulting position). If you answer “Yes,” be prepared to provide details if requested during the hiring process.
ISBE states it does not use E-Verify (or similar systems) and will not provide visa/immigration sponsorship when sponsorship is required to work lawfully in the U.S. You must confirm you are authorized to work lawfully in the United States, and if applicable provide visa type/number and validity dates.
If you are currently in default, you must attach a signed detailed explanation. The form notes that state law may require employees who meet certain default thresholds to make a satisfactory repayment arrangement as a condition of employment.
No—this section is optional and is used to support Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action reporting. You may select “Prefer Not to Answer” if you do not want to provide this information.
The form lists ISBE Human Resources (S-202), 100 North First Street, Springfield, IL 62777-0001, with phone 217/782-6434 and fax 217/524-0396. You can also refer to www.isbe.net for additional information.
Compliance ISBE 61-08
Validation Checks by Instafill.ai
1
Applicant Name Completeness and Character Validation
Validates that Last Name and First Name are provided (Middle optional unless the form requires it for matching) and that the name fields contain only reasonable characters (letters, spaces, hyphens, apostrophes) and are not placeholder text (e.g., 'N/A'). This is important for identity matching, background checks, and record creation. If validation fails, the submission should be rejected or returned for correction with a clear message indicating which name components are missing/invalid.
2
SSN Last-4 Format and Redaction Enforcement
Ensures the Social Security Number field contains exactly 4 digits and does not include the full SSN, separators, or non-numeric characters. This protects sensitive data and aligns with the form’s instruction to provide only the last 4 digits. If validation fails, the system should block submission and prompt the applicant to enter only four digits (e.g., '1234').
3
Address Completeness and ZIP Code Format
Checks that Street, City, State, and ZIP Code are all present and that State is a valid US state/territory abbreviation (e.g., IL) and ZIP is either 5 digits or ZIP+4 (##### or #####-####). A complete, standardized address is required for correspondence and employment records. If validation fails, the system should flag the specific missing/invalid component and require correction before acceptance.
4
Phone Number Format Validation (Home/Work/Cell)
Validates that any provided phone numbers follow a consistent 10-digit US format (allowing common punctuation like parentheses and dashes) and are not obviously invalid (e.g., all zeros). This ensures HR can contact the applicant and reduces downstream data cleanup. If validation fails, the system should highlight the offending phone field(s) and require a corrected number or allow the field to be left blank if not required.
5
Email Address Syntax and Domain Validation
Ensures the email address is present (if required) and matches standard email syntax (local@domain) with a plausible domain and no spaces. Email is often the primary communication channel for interview scheduling and status updates. If validation fails, the system should prevent submission (if required) or flag the field and request a corrected email.
6
Work Authorization and Visa Details Consistency
Checks that the applicant answers whether they are authorized to work lawfully in the United States (Yes/No) and enforces conditional requirements: if 'No' or if a visa is indicated as applicable, Visa Type, Visa Number, and Dates Valid must be provided in valid formats. This is critical because the form states ISBE will not sponsor and must ensure lawful work eligibility. If validation fails, the system should require completion/correction of visa fields or clarification of authorization status before submission.
7
Work Preferences Yes/No Completeness
Validates that each work preference question (relocate, travel, temporary employment, car available, valid driver’s license) has an explicit Yes/No selection and is not left blank. These fields affect candidate eligibility and job matching for roles that require travel, relocation, or driving. If validation fails, the system should mark unanswered preference items and require a selection for each.
8
Work Location Preference Selection Validation
Ensures the applicant selects at least one work location preference (Chicago, Springfield, Other/Field Based) and prevents contradictory or ambiguous entries if the system expects a single choice. Location preference is used for routing applications and determining eligibility for location-specific vacancies. If validation fails, the system should prompt the applicant to select the required option(s) per business rules.
9
State Educational Loan Default Explanation Attachment Requirement
If the applicant answers 'Yes' to being in default on a state educational loan, validates that a signed detailed explanation is attached (or captured as an uploaded document/typed statement with an e-signature). This is required due to the statutory condition of employment described on the form. If validation fails, the system should block submission and request the signed explanation attachment.
10
Position Applied For and Inventory Number Pairing
Validates that at least one position is listed and that each entered Position(s) Applied For has a corresponding Inventory # (and vice versa), with no orphaned entries. This ensures HR can correctly associate the application with a specific vacancy posting and prevents misrouting. If validation fails, the system should flag the incomplete row(s) and require both fields to be completed for each position entry.
11
Education Section Completeness and Numeric Years Completed
Checks that education entries include the number of years completed as a numeric value within a reasonable range (e.g., 0–20) and that school name and location are provided when years are entered. It also validates that degree/diploma fields are not contradictory (e.g., 'Degree' listed with 0 years) and that major/field is present when college/university or graduate education is indicated. If validation fails, the system should request corrections to the specific education row(s) and prevent submission if education is required for the role.
12
Work History Required Fields and Minimum Entry Enforcement
Enforces the instruction that all work history fields must be completed for consideration by requiring, for each employer entry, Employer Name, Address, Position Title, Supervisor Name/Title, Duties Description, Reason for Leaving, and Employed From/To. It should also require at least one work history entry (current or last employer) unless the applicant explicitly indicates no prior employment (if such an option exists). If validation fails, the system should identify missing fields per employer block and require completion before acceptance.
13
Employment Dates Format and Chronological Consistency (Mo./Yr.)
Validates that Employed From and Employed To are in the required month/year format and represent real calendar values (month 1–12, year within a reasonable range). It also checks that 'From' is not after 'To' and that future dates are not used unless explicitly allowed (e.g., current employment could allow 'To' blank or 'Present' if supported). If validation fails, the system should flag the specific employer entry and require corrected dates.
14
Supervisory Role Staff Count Conditional Requirement
If 'Was position supervisory?' is marked 'Yes', validates that the number of staff directed/evaluated is provided and is a non-negative integer (and not blank). This supports accurate assessment of leadership experience and prevents incomplete supervisory claims. If validation fails, the system should require a valid staff count or change the supervisory answer to 'No'.
15
References Completeness, Non-Relative Attestation, and Phone Format
Validates that three references are provided (if required), each with Name, Title/Institution, and a valid telephone number format, and that the applicant has not entered placeholders (e.g., 'friend', 'relative'). While the system may not be able to definitively detect relatives, it can require an attestation checkbox or flag obvious relationship terms in the reference fields for review. If validation fails, the system should request complete reference details and either block submission (if required) or route for manual review.
16
Signature and Application Date Presence (Submission Validity)
Ensures the application is dated and signed where indicated, as the form states the application is not valid without these. The date must be a valid calendar date and not unreasonably far in the future, and the signature must be present (wet signature image, typed e-signature with consent, or digital signature depending on system design). If validation fails, the system should prevent submission and prompt the applicant to provide the missing date and/or signature.
Common Mistakes in Completing ISBE 61-08
Applicants often skip items they think are optional (e.g., work phone, supervisor name/title, reason for leaving, inventory number) or assume “see resume” is enough. This can make the application “incomplete” and delay review or remove the candidate from consideration because the form explicitly states all fields must be completed for consideration. To avoid this, review every section line-by-line and enter “N/A” only when a field truly does not apply (and never for required work history fields).
The form requests “Last 4 digits only,” but many applicants enter the full SSN out of habit or by copying from other documents. This creates unnecessary privacy and identity-theft risk and may require HR to redact or request a corrected form. Enter exactly four digits and double-check you did not include dashes or additional numbers.
People frequently forget to sign and date the application, especially when submitting multiple attachments (resume, cover letter, transcripts). The form states the application is not valid unless dated and signed, which can result in automatic rejection or a request to resubmit. Before submitting, confirm the signature line is signed and the date is filled in using the correct current date.
Applicants often omit area codes, mix up home/work/cell numbers, or leave parentheses/formatting incomplete, making it hard for HR to contact them. This can lead to missed interview calls or delays in scheduling. Use a consistent 10-digit format (including area code) for each phone field and ensure the number matches the type (home vs. work vs. cell).
Some applicants answer “Yes” to being authorized to work but leave the visa type/number/dates blank when applicable, or they misunderstand the question and provide citizenship details instead of work authorization. Because the form notes ISBE will not sponsor where sponsorship is necessary, unclear answers can quickly disqualify candidates or trigger follow-up requests. Answer the authorization question directly, and if you are not a U.S. citizen and a visa applies, provide the visa type, number, and validity dates exactly as shown on your documents.
When applicants check “Yes” to being in default on a state educational loan, they often forget the required signed detailed explanation. This omission can stall processing because the form explicitly requests an attachment and state law requires repayment arrangements as a condition of employment in certain cases. If you answer “Yes,” attach a signed statement describing the situation and your repayment arrangement or plan, and reference it clearly in the application.
The position section asks for both “Position(s) Applied For” and “Inventory #,” but applicants frequently provide only a job title or paste a posting link. This can cause HR to route the application incorrectly or not match it to the intended vacancy list. Copy the exact inventory number(s) from the job posting and pair each number with the corresponding position title.
Many applicants rely on their resume and leave work history fields partially blank, especially employer address, supervisor name/title, month/year dates, and reason for leaving. The form states all work history fields MUST be completed for consideration, so missing details can lead to disqualification or repeated follow-ups. Enter month/year for both start and end dates, provide full employer address, include supervisor name/title (or note “No longer available” with best effort), write a concise duties summary, and include a clear reason for leaving.
Applicants often write generic phrases like “administrative tasks” or “managed projects” without specifics, assuming HR will infer details from the title. This weakens screening because reviewers cannot assess qualifications, level of responsibility, or alignment with the position. Use 2–5 bullet-style sentences per job describing key functions, tools/systems used, populations served, and measurable outcomes (e.g., volume, timelines, compliance responsibilities).
When applicants check “Yes” for supervisory experience, they frequently leave the “number of staff you directed/evaluated” blank or put a range without clarity. This reduces the credibility and usefulness of the supervisory claim and may affect qualification scoring. If you supervised, provide a specific number (or typical range with context, e.g., “6 direct reports, 2 indirect”) and ensure it matches your duties description.
People sometimes list relatives despite the instruction not to, omit titles/institutions/phone numbers, or provide references who are unaware they were listed. This can lead to failed reference checks, delays, or negative impressions if references cannot be reached or decline to respond. Choose three non-relatives who can speak to your work, include full title/institution and a working phone number, and ask permission in advance.
Because the EEO and disability questions are optional, applicants sometimes feel required to answer and provide extra personal details, or they mark multiple ethnicity boxes despite the instruction to check ONE. This can create confusion and may require correction, even though it is not used for hiring decisions. If you choose to complete it, check only one ethnicity option, select the disability response as instructed, and avoid adding medical or sensitive details not requested.
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