Basic Recruiting Glossary

General Hiring Terms

To make sure you’re up to date on the latest terms typically used in hiring, check out this list.

Active Candidate

An active candidate is actively looking for a new job. They may or may not be currently employed.

Applicant

An applicant is someone who applies for a job.

ATS

ATS, or Applicant Tracking System, is a technology solution that allows companies to keep track of
candidates and their application information. An ATS usually automates some aspects of the recruiting
process and allows for keyword searches within candidate applications. The ATS can also be used to
gather key recruiting metrics.

Blind Screening

Key candidate information such as name and gender are eliminated as applications are screened.

Candidate Experience

The candidate experience refers to the range of touchpoints a candidate makes during the evaluation
process. It includes filling out the application, receiving communication about the role, screening,
interviewing, and extending of the offer.

Candidate Pipeline

A candidate pipeline is a database of qualified candidates for positions that your company typically fills.

Candidate Quality

Candidate quality refers to the level of competence, experience, and personal traits that fit in with the
position requirements and your organization’s culture.

Career Site

A career website, or job website, is site where job seekers go to find open jobs. They may also find
career advice, salary information, company reviews, and other useful information that supports their job
search.

Close the Loop

Closing the loop refers to ending a discussion. In recruiting, it often means informing candidates of the
outcome of a hiring process when they did not get hired for the position.

Culture Add
Culture add considers a candidate’s contribution to the organizational culture. This way of thinking
about hiring focuses on building diversity within an organization to foster innovation.

Cultural fit

Cultural fit refers to a candidate or employee’s alignment with the organizational culture and processes
in terms of beliefs, work expectations, and values.

Debrief

A debrief is a meeting at the end of a completed project. In recruiting, it often refers to a meeting of
interviewers and the hiring manager at the end of an interview process to discuss the merits of each
candidate.

Employer Brand

Employer branding refers to all the activities that affect a company’s reputation with job seekers. The
internal employer brand consists of the ways employees perceive working at the company. The external
employer brand is communicated to job seekers through word of mouth, the careers website, social
media, and employment sites like Glassdoor.

Employee Referral

An employee referral occurs when candidates in existing employees’ social networks apply for open
roles at your company. The referring employee usually receives compensation if the candidate is hired.

Hiring Pool

The hiring pool, or applicant pool, is the total number of applicants for a given position.

Informed Candidate

An informed candidate is one who has researched the position and your company through research.
Research can include reviewing company reports, news articles, and employer reviews as well as
informal networking conversations.

Interview Process

The interview process, or hiring process, is the progression of steps for screening and interviewing
candidates until an offer is made.

Job Board

A job board is a career website on which employers or recruiting firms place ads for their open roles.

Lateral Hiring

A lateral hire occurs when a candidate is hired who was at the same level of experience and
responsibilities in his or her previous organization.

Mobile Strategy
Mobile strategy refers to the collection of activities that target candidates on mobile devices. It ensures
that candidates are able to easily find jobs, learn about your company, apply, and communicate through
the hiring process from a smartphone. It may also include a mobile-optimized component for recruiters,
hiring managers, and interviewers.

Non-Compete

A non-compete (on non-competition) agreement is a legal provision in which an employer requests that
an employee not work for a competing company for a specified period of time upon leaving the
company. Non-compete agreements are not enforceable in some states.

Onboarding

Onboarding is the process of welcoming and integrating a new employee into the organization. It
includes collecting relevant paperwork, orienting the employee to the workplace, and usually includes
training on the company’s products as well as work processes with the goal of making the employee
productive as quickly as possible.

Passive Candidate

A passive candidate is one who is employed and not looking for new work.

Poaching

Poaching occurs when an employer hires an employee directly from a competitor.

Purple Squirrel

A purple squirrel is a term used to describe a candidate who precisely matches all of the employer’s job
requirements. Because purple squirrels don’t exist in real life, it is generally considered to be an
unobtainable request.

Recruiting Funnel

The recruiting funnel is a term used to describe all the aspects of the hiring process. It includes
candidate awareness, consideration, application, interviewing, and making the hire.

Recruitment Marketing

Recruitment marketing is a term to describe all activities and communications (such as advertising and
social media) that an organization uses to attract talent to its workforce.

Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO)

Recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) is when a company hires an external firm to act like its own
recruiting department. This differs from traditional external hiring firms in that the RPO firm takes
responsibility for the entire recruiting process and may assume the identity and recruiting technologies
of the client.

Recruitment Management System (RMS)

A recruitment management system is a software solution that automates and manages all the aspects of
recruiting, including attracting, identifying, assessing, and hiring candidates.

Referral Incentive

A referral incentive is a money paid to an employee who refers a candidate. The employee is usually
paid after the candidate has been hired and employed for a specified length of time. Some employers
provide smaller incentives for the referral itself, regardless of whether the candidate is hired.

Req

Req can be short for “requirement,” “request,” or “requisition.” A job req often refers to “requisition,”
or a document that specifies the need for a hire. It usually includes the title, position responsibilities,
and budget required.

Screening

Candidate screening involves all the activities prior to inviting a candidate in for a formal interview.
Screening includes reviewing resumes, conducting phone or video interviews, and may include a test or
assessment.

Social Recruiting

Social recruiting entails using social networks to find and attract candidates. Recruiters may engage in
such activities as posting job ads and employer brand content on social networks, and engaging in
groups on social websites.

Sourcing

Sourcing refers to the proactive activities related to finding qualified candidates for a current or future
open position. These activities may include online searches, social media outreach, contacting
universities, alumni associations and professional associations, as well as attending industry conferences
and recruiting events.

Talent Acquisition

Talent acquisition takes a strategic approach to recruiting in order to meet evolving business needs. The
talent acquisition department works with business leaders to strategize and execute optimal processes
for sourcing, interviewing, and onboarding.

Talent Analytics

Talent analytics helps companies and talent acquisition professionals use data wisely to improve their
recruiting strategies. Talent analytics intelligence and insight can lead to more accurate hiring
projections, investment in more profitable recruitment channels, and putting the right employees in the
right jobs.

Talent Management

Talent management is the overarching approach to strategically attracting, hiring, and retaining
employees with long-term business goals in mind.
Interviewing Terms

Keeping on top of interview terms will help you be prepared to respond to any new types of interview
requests.

Behavioral Interview

Behavioral interview questions seek to predict a candidate’s suitability for a role based on their behavior
in past jobs. Behavioral questions usually start out with, “Tell me about a time when….” or “Describe a
situation when….”

Exit Interview

An exit interview is conducted before a departing employee leaves in order to obtain feedback that
might improve the organization.

Group Interview

A group interview can refer to either 1) a situation in which multiple candidates are interviewed at the
same time, such as at a recruiting event, or 2) multiple people interviewing one candidate at the same
time (also known as a panel interview). Either way, part of the goal is to see how the candidate interacts
with others in a group setting.

Interview Review

A candidate can leave a review of their interview experience on Glassdoor. They are asked to rate the
difficulty level, the experience as a whole, and provide a sample question. This information helps
candidates find out what expect and helps employers learn what’s working or what needs to be
improved in their interview process.

Panel Interview

A panel interviewer entails multiple people interviewing a candidate at the same time. It may include a
presentation by the candidate.

Stay Interview

Stay interviews are often conducted as part of an employer branding project in order to uncover insights
about why employees stay at an organization.

Situational Interview

Situational interview questions probe the candidate on how they would respond to a hypothetical
scenario in the future.

Structured Interview Process

A structured interview process aims to assess candidates objectively by having interviewers ask the
same set of questions to each candidate, in the same order, and provide ratings on key measures.

Technical Interview
Technical interview questions seek to uncover the candidate’s knowledge of specific technical skills
required for a job. Candidates may be asked to talk through how they would solve a problem or be
asked to solve problems on a whiteboard or computer.

Unstructured Interview

An unstructured interview is one in which the questions are not predetermined and different candidates
may be asked different questions. They tend to be informal, resembling a conversation more than
standard question-and-answer process.

Whiteboard Interview

A candidate, usually in an engineering role, is asked to solve a coding problem on a whiteboard while
interviewers ask questions. Whiteboard testing has become controversial as it does not replicate the
daily coding environment and often disadvantages women due to unconscious gender bias in male-
dominated fields.

Sales Terms

Recruiting for the sales department can introduce you to new terms, concepts, and acronyms. Here are
some of the most common words you’ll hear when recruiting for sales.

CRM

CRM, the acronym for Customer Relationship Management, is a company’s approach to managing
interactions with customers and potential customers. CRM software is typically used by sales staff to log
interactions and track success.

Cross-Selling

Cross-selling is the activity of selling a different or complementary product or service to an existing

customer.

Discovery Call

A discovery call is generally the first conversation between a prospect and a salesperson. The purpose of
the call is to discover if the prospect is a good fit for the product or service being sold.

Lead

A lead is a prospective customer of a product or service. Contact information for leads may be obtained
from research, events, or marketing campaigns.

Needs-Based Selling

Needs-based selling is a consultative method of selling in which the salesperson uncovers the key issues
relating to the product or service and develops a solution appropriate to those needs.

On-Target Earnings (OTE)

On-target earnings refer to the expected compensation of a sales professional if selling targets are met.

Pain Point
A pain point is a problem of a potential customer that the product or service being sold may help solve.

Proof of Concept (POC)

A proof of concept is a test example that proves to the prospect that the proposed solution is viable.

Prospecting

Prospecting is the activity of identifying potential customers and determining if they are qualified.

Quota

A quota is the target number or dollar amount that a salesperson must reach in order to have
satisfactory performance.

Sales Development Representative (SDR)

A sales development rep is an employee who prospects and qualifies leads to pass on to other sales
staff.

Selling Cycle

The selling cycle is the process by which an organization finds potential customers, qualifies them,
provides samples or a demonstration, and then closes a deal.

Sales Qualified Lead (SQL)

A sales qualified lead, or SQL, is a lead that has been determined to be ready for the next stage in the
selling cycle, which could be a demonstration or in-person meeting. The qualification factors for an SQL
will be different at every company depending on its products and services.

Upselling

Upselling occurs when a salesperson attempts to sell a customer additional related products, a more
expensive solution, or add-ons that will increase the value of the total sale.

Marketing Terms

Marketing can be filled with mysterious jargon. Check this list for top marketing terms that recruiters
might encounter.

Attribution

Attribution is the science of assigning credit to various media campaigns or customer interaction points
for making a sale. Companies use a variety of “attribution models” to determine how credit is given.

Churn Rate

Churn rate, also known as attrition, is the rate at which subscribers discontinue their subscriptions.

Conversion Funnel
Conversion funnel, or marketing funnel, is the term used to describe the steps a customer takes from
product awareness to consideration all the way to purchase. The conversion funnel will vary by an
organization based on the available steps and marketing activities.

Cost Per Click (CPC)

Cost Per Click, or CPC, is the amount that an advertiser pays for each click on an ad, (usually on a search
engine such as Google).

Cost Per Acquisition (CPA)

CPA is the total cost of trackable marketing activities directly related to a sale. CPA can also stand for
“Cost Per Action,” in which a dollar amount is assigned to an action such as signing up for an email list or
filling out a form as a result of clicking a link.

Digital Marketing

Digital marketing is an umbrella term that covers all the marketing activities that occur on digital
devices, whether it’s on websites, within apps, text messages, or email.

Display Advertising

Display advertising is visually-based communication that appears on square or rectangular boxes on

websites.

Lead Generation

Lead generation is the process of finding potential customers, or leads, by conducting various marketing
activities such as offering free content, encouraging subscription to email newsletters, or participating in
events.

Lifecycle Marketing

The customer lifecycle is the various stages a customer goes through from learning about the product,
purchasing it, and becoming a loyal customer. Lifecycle marketing targets specific marketing activities to
each stage the lifecycle.

List Segmentation

List segmentation is the process of breaking up an email list based on known characteristics, such as
demographics, location, purchase history, or download history.

Marketing Automation Software

Marketing automation software automates specific marketing actions, such as sending emails, posting
on social media, and triggering website actions. Popular marketing automation software companies
include Marketo, Pardot, Infusionsoft, and Hubspot.

Marketing Qualified Lead (MQL)

A marketing qualified lead is one that has been determined to be more likely to buy due to a variety of
factors that can include opening emails, downloading content, and other specific website actions.
Online Marketing

Online marketing, also called internet marketing, is a subset of digital marketing refers to digital
marketing activities that occur specifically on websites. This can include display advertising, search
engine advertising, social media, and website activities.

Pay Per Click (PPC)

PPC is a form of advertising in which the advertiser places an ad but only pays when the ad is clicked
upon.

Search Engine Marketing (SEM)

Search engine marketing is the process of directing visitors to a website by purchasing PPC ads on search
engines.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO is the process of optimizing the words used on a website in order to rank higher in search engine
results.

User Interface (UI)

The user interface is the parts of a website or device that users interact with. It is primarily concerned
with the visual input controls.

User Experience (UX)

The user experience is the sum of interactions a user has when using a website or device. It is primarily
concerned with creating an experience that meets a user’s needs through various steps while using the
product.

Workflow

A workflow is the sequence of actions required to reach a specified outcome.

Engineering Terms

If you’re recruiting for engineering, you’ll likely encounter dozens of unfamiliar terms. While this list
provides a sampling of common terms, be sure to do your research and ask colleagues for clarification
when you encounter new terms.

ASP.net

ASP.net is a Microsoft developed framework used to build dynamic web applications.

Back End

Back-end technology refers to the programming that determines how the site works, updates and
changes, but that the user doesn’t see. Common back-end programming languages are Java, Python, C#.

Big Data
Big data is a term used to describe the vast amounts of information that companies collect that they
may or may not be using to their advantage to improve services and processes.

C is a low level, general use programming language.

C++ (pronounced C plus plus)

C++ is an object-oriented programming language based loosely on the C language.

C# (pronounced C-Sharp)

C# is a programming language developed by Microsoft for use in developing dynamic web applications
and general use Windows applications.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing entails using offsite servers, accessed through the Internet, to store and process data.

Data Mining

Data mining is the computing process of discovering patterns in large data sets.

Data Science

Data science is an interdisciplinary field that uses principles of social science and statistics, and
information and computer science to query data. Findings are used to improve products and processes.

Front-end

Front end refers to the programming that affects everything the user sees on a website or application.
Common front-end technologies include HTML and CSS.

Full Stack

A full stack developer is someone who is familiar with both front and back-end technologies and
programming languages.

Java

Java is a popular general use object-oriented programming language.

Javascript

A programming language that was initially developed to execute within the web browser, but is now
becoming a more general use language.

LAMP - Linux Apache MYSQL PHP/Python

LAMP is an acronym of a common tech stack for building web applications that include the most
common open source components: the Linux operating system, Apache HTTP server, the MySQL
relational database management system, and the PHP programming language. Sometimes Python is
substituted for PHP.
Native Application

A native application is one that is built for that specific operating system. In contrast, a web app is built
to be accessed on any device, usually through a browser.

Objective C

Objective C is the primary programming language used when writing software for Apple computers
(macOS) and Apple devices (iOS).

Python

Python is a popular programming language that allows for easier reading and reviewing of code than
other languages such as C++ and Java.

Quality Assurance (QA)

Quality assurance is the process of checking for mistakes to ensure a product is fully functional before
making it available for use.

Ruby on Rails

Ruby is a programming language primarily used for building web applications. Rail is a web-application
framework written to use with Ruby. It combines the Ruby programming language with HTML, CSS, and
JavaScript to create a web application.

Structured Query Language (SQL)

SQL is the standard programming language used to communicate with relational database systems.

Swift

Swift is the programming language developed by Apple to write software for macOS and iOS.

Technology (Tech) Stack

The tech stack is the collection of software products and programming languages that a company uses
to build its web or mobile product

External Recruiting Terms

External recruiting is a form of outsourcing. A company with open positions hires a recruiting firm to
find and screen suitable candidates before sending them to the company site. Jobs can be permanent or
temporary, with temp or contract jobs ranging from a day to a year or more. External recruiters are paid
by their recruiting firm, which collects fees from the company where the candidate is placed.

Agency Recruiter

An agency recruiter that works at a recruiting agency. Their job is to find and place candidates into roles
at various companies.

Contingency Recruiter
A contingency recruiter does not receive payment until the candidates they find get hired. Payment is
usually a percentage of the new employee’s salary.

Executive Search Firm/Executive Recruiter

An executive recruiter focuses on filling positions at the executive level (usually Vice President or C-
level).

Headhunter

A headhunter is an external recruiter who is focused on placing candidates into senior roles.

Outplacement Agency

An outplacement firm assists workers who have been laid off or downsized from a company. Workers
receive job search assistance and training, and the outplacement firm is paid by the company from
which the worker was let go.

Retained Recruiter

A retained recruiter is contracted by a company to fill specific (usually senior-level) positions. The
retained recruiting firm is paid a flat fee and expected to deliver the hire. The arrangement is exclusive,
meaning that no other firm is asked to participate in the search.

Temporary (Temp) Recruiter

Temp recruiters usually work for a staffing agency to find candidates to fill short-term positions for
companies.

Staffing Agency

A staffing agency fills positions for various companies. Workers are legally employed by the staffing
agency, who pays them hourly and deducts taxes. Positions can be temporary, temp-to-perm (the
worker will be hired on by the client company after a specified period if performance is satisfactory), or
direct hire (the worker will be hired by the company without an hourly trial period). The staffing agency
marks up the hourly rate paid to the worker or charges a fee for placements. Staffing agencies can
specialize in various position types, such as administrative or IT.

Internal Recruiting Terms

Internal or in-house recruiters work for the same company for which they find and place candidates.
Their primary responsibilities include sourcing, reviewing applications, screening candidates, and setting
up interviews with hiring teams. Companies often use a combination of internal and external recruiters,
based on staffing needs.

Contract Recruiter

Contract recruiters work at the company site but are not permanent employees. They may be hired to
cover another recruiter’s leave of absence, meet aggressive hiring goals, or hire for specialty positions.

Corporate Recruiter
Another term for an in-house recruiter.

Generalist

An HR generalist manages many aspects of the employee experience such as benefits administration,
training, onboarding, and employee relations. They may also serve in a recruiting function as needed.

Sales Recruiter

A sales recruiter specializes in finding and screening candidates for open positions in the sales
department.

Talent Acquisition Specialist or Partner

Talent acquisition takes a strategic approach to recruiting in order to meet evolving business needs. In
addition to the activities of recruiting, talent acquisition specialists may work with business leaders to
strategize and execute optimal processes for sourcing, interviewing, and onboarding.

Tech Recruiter

A tech recruiter specializes in finding and screening candidates for technical roles. This role requires
knowledge of highly specialized technical terms and the ability to screen candidates.

Temp Recruiter

Temp recruiters manage and oversee the staffing of temporary workers at sites such as factories,
warehouses, or other locations that require large numbers of temporary staff.

Types of Positions

Understanding the terminology that refers to the various types of positions within an organization will
help you identify candidates whose experience match the open roles you need to fill.

Associate

When “Associate” appears at the end of a title, it usually refers to a junior-level role, such as “Customer
Service Associate.” When it appears at the beginning of a title, it usually refers to a junior level of that
role, such as “Associate Manager.”

C-Level/Executive

An employee with a C, for “Chief” in their title, is a member of the top level of the executive team. They
report to the Board of Directors, or the CEO (Chief Executive Officer). Individuals with VP (Vice
President), SVP (Senior Vice President), or EVP (Executive Vice President) in their titles generally report
to one of the C-level executives.

Contractor

A contractor is a worker who is employed for a specified period of time. Contractors do not usually
receive health insurance, vacation time, or other benefits available to permanent employees.

Entry level
Entry level jobs are typically focused on recent high school or college graduates. Screening criteria relate
to basic functional skills and education more than workplace experience, though many entry-level jobs
require internship experience.

Individual Contributor

An individual contributor does not manage any other staff members.

Internship

An internship is a short-term training period with an employer, with or without pay and is usually geared
toward students.

Job Transfer

A job transfer occurs when an employee takes a position in another department. When the new position
is at the same level as the former position, it’s called a lateral transfer. A transfer can be voluntary (in
which the employee chooses to move departments) or involuntary, (in which the employee is assigned
to another department or region for organizational reasons).

Lead

A lead is usually an employee who has a high level of responsibility but does not manage other
employees.

Manager

Managers oversee a set of activities and are accountable for their successful execution. A manager
usually supervises other employees.

Maternity leave cover

A contract employee covers the responsibilities of an employee on leave due to the birth of a child.

Principal

Titles such as “Principal Engineer” refer to a senior level employee who oversees the completion of
projects. The principal can also refer to the owner of a consultancy.

Returnship

A returnship is a short-term employment contract with an experienced professional who has taken an
extended leave (usually two or more years) from work in order to attend to family responsibilities.

Senior Level

Senior is a term that refers to employees who have a high level of experience. It can be included in job
titles, such as “senior designer,” or refer to employees of high rank, such as “senior executive team.”

Staff

Staff is another word for employees. In a job title, staff can refer to an experienced or senior level
employee. Double check to find out the hierarchy within your organization.