HR Glossary

Applicant Pool

Applicant pool is a term used to describe the complete number of applicants who are applying for a particular job position by sending in a resume or completing an application.

what is an applicant pool

Definition of Applicant Pool

Term used to describe the complete number of applicants who are applying for a particular job position by sending in a resume or completing an application.

The size of an applicant pool depends on many factors such as: job description, the amount of required experience, the required skill set, the offered compensation, the intensiveness of the application process, the channels through which the job is advertised to potential candidates etc.

Due to online job postings, applicant pools have been growing which makes it easier for potential employees to both find jobs and apply to them.

How to properly utilize applicant pools in the hiring process

Organizations with large applicant pools often use pre-employment tests in the early stages of the hiring process since determining relevant selection criteria is essential to decreasing the applicant pool of candidates suitable for the position.

Based on the collected data employers then select to advance the candidates who score well enough on the tests to the next step in the evaluation process, which simplifies the process and allows hiring managers to spend their time and resources on candidates who meet the basic requirements for the position.

See TalentLyft in action

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


Related content

  • Affirmative action is an HR policy which ensures equal employment opportunities and focuses on groups and minorities who tend to suffer from job discrimination.Affirmative action definitionAffirmative...

  • Not sure what is attrition? Attrition is a term often used in human resources and talent management. The term is related to the process of downsizing...

  • Blind engagement is a term which refers to the automation of communication on social media. Blind engagement definitionBlind engagement is a term which refers to the automation...

  • A career fair (also known as a job fair or career expo) is a recruiting event in which employers and recruiters meet with potential employees and...

  • Disability is defined as the inability to perform all or part of one’s occupational duties because of an accident or illness. Disability definitionDisability is defined as the...

Explore more topics

  • Employee Referrals

    Boost your hiring success with employee referrals. Leverage the power of your existing workforce to recommend top talent, reducing time-to-hire and improving candidate quality. Learn how to create an effective employee referral program that incentivizes employees, enhances engagement, and strengthens your recruitment pipeline.

  • Recruitment Content

    Elevate your hiring efforts with compelling recruitment content. Learn how to create engaging job descriptions, employer branding materials, and targeted social media posts that attract top talent. Effective content helps showcase your company culture, values, and opportunities, making you stand out in the competitive recruitment landscape.

  • Mastering the Interview

    Conducting an effective interview means getting the best and most out of a candidate in a limited time frame. To do that you need to ask the right questions. From general questions to more strategic ones, here you'll find all the questions you need to get what you need to help you choose the best candidate.

  • HR Software

    Let HR technology make your work life easier! Streamline your HR processes, from payroll and benefits to talent management and recruitment, with powerful HR software. Save time, reduce manual tasks, and focus on strategic initiatives by working smarter, not harder.

  • Employee Onboarding

    In the journey to build a cohesive and productive workforce, effective employee onboarding is the foundation of success. Employee onboarding isn't just a checklist - it's an essential process that sets the tone for an employee's entire tenure at your organization. Learn about the strategies, best practices, and technologies you can implement at your organization to create seamless and impactful onboarding experiences that st your workforce for future success.

  • Recruitment Agencies

    Discover how recruitment agencies can efficiently source, screen, and place top candidates tailored to your needs. Explore the advantages of partnering with specialized agencies that understand your industry and deliver quality talent faster, saving you time and resources in the hiring process. Discover the pros and cons of using a recruitment agency.

Simple and affordable recruitment software