HR Glossary

Candidate

Table of contents

What’s a candidate?

Candidate is a job seeker who has been pre-qualified for a specific position or category of jobs and has been through the application process

candidate definition

What’s a candidate?

A candidate in recruitment refers to an individual who is being considered for a specific job or position within a company or organization. This term is commonly used during the hiring process, where various candidates apply or are sought out for a position, and then go through a series of assessments, interviews, and evaluations to determine their suitability for the role.

In the context of recruitment, candidates can be active or passive:

Active Candidates: These individuals are active job seekers. They might apply directly for open positions, submit their resumes to companies, or respond to job postings.

Passive Candidates: These are individuals who are not actively looking for a new job but might be open to new opportunities. Recruiters often approach passive candidates if they believe the candidate could be a good fit for a role.

The recruitment process involves identifying potential candidates, attracting them to the role, screening and selecting the best candidates, and finally hiring and onboarding the chosen individual(s).

See TalentLyft in action

Applicant Tracking, Recruitment Marketing, Sourcing and Talent CRM software are powerful alone, but unstoppable when used together!


Related content

  • Benefits administration is the process of creating, updating and managing benefits for the employees of an organization, generally assigned to the HR function.Benefits administration definitionBenefits administration...

  • Co-employment is the relationship between an employer and a firm specialized in employee leasing or a Professional employer organization (PEO).Co-employment definitionCo-employment is the relationship between an...

  • A cover letter is a written document submitted with a resume to provide additional information on skills and experience and to explain the applicant's credentials and...

  • Due diligence refers to the process of investigating and assessing a person, business or details of an investment to assess suitability, risk, potential value and reward...

Explore more topics

  • Training and Development

    Training and development of your existing and new employees is what drives organizational success in the long term. By giving your people opportunities to educate themselves and improve their skills and expertise, you create a culture of learning, reducing turnover and improving productivity. Learn all the best practices and set up your employees for success!

  • Job Advertisement

    Learn how to craft compelling job postings that attract top talent. Discover the best platforms to publish your job ads and effective promotion strategies to reach a larger pool of high-quality candidates. Maximize your job ad's visibility and ensure you get the right candidates for your open roles.

  • Hire Planning

    Hiring is a strategic priority that requires thorough planning. Learn how to align your hiring goals with business objectives, forecast staffing needs, and create a recruitment roadmap. Effective hire planning ensures that you attract the right talent, meet company growth demands, and stay ahead in a competitive market.

  • Talent Acquisition

    Optimize your talent acquisition strategies to attract, engage, and hire the best candidates. Learn how to build a strong talent pipeline, enhance your employer branding, and implement effective recruitment methods. Stay competitive by securing top talent that drives long-term business success.

  • Compensation and Benefits

    Compensation and benefits have always been among the top priorities to job seekers, and it will stay that way. But that is a good thing of course - because well-compensated employees who feel extra valued by additional benefits give more, and give their best. Because they have a reason to. Learn how to stand out in the talent market as an employer of choice, providing the best compensation and benefits plans, and getting the most productive and committed employees in return!

  • Recruiting Stats

    Stay informed with the latest recruitment statistics that can help you refine your hiring strategies. Discover key metrics on time-to-hire, candidate sourcing, retention rates, and more. Use these data-driven insights to improve your talent acquisition processes and make better hiring decisions.

Simple and affordable recruitment software