Adding "Create New Node" link in views pages
It's possible without writing any PHP etc. and you'll need one of the modules mentioned Entityreference prepopulate, Prepopulate, etc.


Add Global: Custom text to your fields, in the Text field enter Apply Now!
Under Rewrite results, check Output this field as a link
In the Link path field enter node/add/candidate (this will get passed through the l() function and correctly deal with subfolders, etc.)
Add Global: Unfiltered text to your header/footer, etc. in the Text field enter [nothing], check Display even if view has no result and check Use replacement tokens from the first row
Test this is working correctly and Exclude from display the Global: Custom text in your fields
Play around with the Link path field to correctly pass the correct variables so your fields are populated correctly - this will probably require trial and error to get this correct which is why this is the last step.