Recruitment terms

The world of talent acquisition can be confusing and full of jargon. That's why we've compiled this list of essential terms to help you navigate the industry with confidence.

A

Active Candidate

A candidate who is actively seeking new job opportunities and is likely available to start a new job relatively quickly (pending notice period). Active candidates are generally more motivated to find a new job and are more responsive to outreach from employers or recruiters.

Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

A software application used by employers to manage and automate their recruitment process. An ATS typically includes tools for posting job openings, screening resumes, and tracking applicant data.

Aptitude Testing

A type of assessment used to measure a candidate's potential to learn and perform specific tasks or activities.

B

Backfill

The process of filling a job vacancy created by an employee who has already left the organisation.

Background Check

A screening process that verifies a candidate's background information, such as employment history, criminal record, and education.

Behavioural Interview

An interview technique that asks candidates to provide specific examples of past behavior to determine how they might behave in future situations.

Benefits

Non-wage compensations provided to employees, such as health insurance, , and paid time off. Also referred to as Perks and Benefits.

Bias

A preconceived opinion or attitude that affects an individual's judgment and decision-making.

Blind Screening

A hiring practice where personal information such as name, age, and gender are removed from resumes to eliminate unconscious bias.

C

Candidate

An individual who is being considered for a job opening.

Candidate Experience

The overall experience a candidate has during the recruitment process, including the application process, communication, and interview experience.

Candidate Management

The process of managing a pool of candidates throughout the recruitment process, from initial contact to onboarding.

Candidate Persona

A representation of an ideal candidate based on data and insights, used to inform recruitment strategies.

Candidate Sourcing

The process of identifying and attracting potential candidates for job vacancies.

Career Pathing

The process of identifying career development opportunities and creating a plan for an employee to achieve their career goals within the company.

Compensation

The total package of salary, benefits, and other forms of payment provided to an employee in exchange for their work.

Confidentiality Agreement

A legal document that prohibits the disclosure of confidential information by an employee or job candidate.

Contingency Recruiter

A recruiter who is paid a fee only when a candidate they have referred is hired by the company.

Contract to Contract (C2C)

An employment arrangement in which an individual is hired for a specific project or contract with a set end date.

Contract to Permanent (C2P)

An employment arrangement in which an individual is hired for a specific project or contract with the potential to be hired permanently.

Cost per Hire / Cost to hire

The total cost incurred by an organisation to hire a new employee, including recruitment, training, and other associated expenses.

Counter Offer

An offer made by an employer to a current employee who has received a job offer from another company in order to encourage them to stay.

Creative Candidate Sourcing

Using innovative and unconventional methods to identify and attract potential candidates for job vacancies.

Culture Fit / Cultural Alignment

A term used to describe how well a candidate's values, beliefs, and behavior align with the company values, beliefs, and behaviors.

Custom Questions

Tailored interview questions designed to assess a candidate's specific skills, experience, and fit for a job.

D

Deferred Compensation

A portion of an employee's compensation that is paid at a later date, typically after retirement.

Depending on Experience (DOE)

A term used in job postings to indicate that the salary will be based on the candidate's experience.

Direct Reports

Employees who report directly to a manager or supervisor.

E

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

A program offered by employers to provide employees with support and resources for personal or work-related issues.

Employee Experience

The overall experience an employee has while working for an organisation, including workplace culture, job satisfaction, and work-life balance.

Employee Referral Program

A program offered by employers to incentivise employees to refer potential candidates for job openings.

Employee Value Proposition (EVP)

The unique set of benefits and values that an employer offers to employees in exchange for their work.

Employer Branding

The process of creating and maintaining a company's reputation as an employer, with the goal of attracting and retaining top talent.

Executive Search

The process of identifying and recruiting candidates for executive-level positions.

F

Fixed-Term Contract

An employment arrangement in which an individual is hired for a specific period of time with a set end date.

FTE

Full-Time Equivalent; a measure of the total hours worked by one employee on a full-time basis.

Function

A function refers to a distinct area of expertise or responsibility within a company or organisation, such as marketing, finance, or human resources.

G

Ghosting

Ghosting is when a job candidate or employee abruptly stops responding to communications from a recruiter, employer, or colleague, typically without explanation or notice.

Gig Worker

A gig worker is an independent contractor who performs temporary or project-based work, typically for multiple clients or companies.

H

Headcount Mapping

Headcount mapping is the process of assessing an organisation's current workforce and determining its needs in terms of the number, skills, and roles of employees required to achieve its objectives.

Headhunting

The practice of actively seeking out and recruiting top talent from other companies or industries.

I

In-House

In-house refers to the practice of performing a task or function within an organisation, rather than outsourcing it to an external provider.

Incentive Pay

Incentive pay refers to a form of compensation that is based on an employee's performance or achievement of specific goals or targets, as opposed to a fixed salary or hourly wage.

Insourcing

Insourcing is the practice of performing a task or function within an organisation using the company's own resources, rather than outsourcing it to an external provider.

Intake (role)

The intake role is typically performed by a recruiter or hiring manager, and involves gathering information about a job opening and developing a job description to attract suitable candidates.

J

Job Board

A job board is a website or online platform that hosts job postings from multiple employers or recruiters, allowing job seekers to search and apply for job openings.

Job Description

A document that outlines the responsibilities, requirements, and qualifications for a specific job opening.

Job Hopper

A job hopper is a person who changes jobs frequently, typically staying in each role for a short period of time.

K

Key Performance Indicator (KPI)

A measurable value that indicates how well an individual, team, or organisation is achieving its objectives.

L

Lateral Job Transfer/Move

A lateral job transfer is a move within an organisation to a different job or role at the same level of seniority or responsibility.

O

Offer

An offer is a formal proposal of employment made by an employer to a job candidate, outlining the terms and conditions of the role.

Onboarding

Onboarding is the process of integrating new employees into an organisation, typically involving orientation, training, and support during the early stages of employment.

P

Panel Interview

A panel interview is a type of job interview in which a job candidate is interviewed by a group of people, typically including representatives from multiple departments or levels of the organisation.

Passive Candidate

A passive candidate is someone who is currently employed and not actively seeking a new job, but who may be open to new opportunities if they are presented.

Poaching

Poaching refers to the practice of attempting to recruit employees from a competitor or other organisation.

Post and Pray

Post and pray is a term used to describe the practice of simply posting a job opening online and hoping that suitable candidates will apply.

Pre-Employment Screening (PES)

Pre-employment screening is the process of conducting background checks, reference checks, and other investigations to verify a job candidate's qualifications and suitability for a role.

Probationary Arrangement

A probationary arrangement is a period of time, typically several months, during which a new employee's performance and suitability for a role are assessed before a permanent offer of employment is made.

R

Recruitment Marketing

The use of marketing strategies and tactics to attract, engage, and nurture potential candidates and build brand awareness.

Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO)

Recruitment process outsourcing is the practice of outsourcing some or all aspects of the recruitment process to a third-party provider, typically with the goal of reducing costs and improving efficiency.

Recruitment Timeline

A timeline that outlines the steps and milestones in the recruitment process, from identifying the need for a new hire to making a job offer.

Referral Bonus

A monetary incentive offered to employees or other individuals for referring qualified candidates to an organisation.

Resume

A document that provides an overview of an individual's education, work experience, and skills to potential employers. Often referred to as a CV (Curriculum Vitae, which is Latin for "course of life”)

Resume Spam

The practice of sending unsolicited or irrelevant resumes to recruiters or hiring managers.

Retained Recruiters

Recruiters that are paid a retainer fee to conduct a search for a specific job opening. They are typically used for high-level or executive positions.

Returnship

A returnship is a paid internship or temporary job for experienced professionals who have taken a career break and are returning to work.

S

Screening

The process of reviewing resumes or applications to identify qualified candidates for a job opening.

Sign On Bonus

A monetary incentive offered to candidates to join an organisation, typically paid upon signing an employment contract.

Social Recruitment

Using social media platforms and networks to attract and engage with potential job candidates.

T

Talent Acquisition

The process of identifying, attracting, and hiring top-quality candidates to fill job vacancies in an organisation.

TA Specialist

A human resources professional who specialises in talent acquisition.

Talent Management

The ongoing process of identifying, developing, and retaining talented employees to meet an organisation's current and future needs.

Talent Partner

A strategic partner that works with a company to provide talent acquisition and talent management services.

Temp

A temporary employee who is hired for a fixed period of time, often to cover for a permanent employee who is on leave or to support a short-term project.

W

Workforce Planning

The process of forecasting an organisation's future staffing needs and developing strategies to ensure it has the right people in the right roles at the right time.