Glossary

Recruitment Glossary

Essential recruitment and talent acquisition terms explained — from ATS to Quality of Hire.

A

Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

Software that automates the hiring process by managing job postings, applications, and candidate data in one central system.

B

Boolean Search

A search technique using operators like AND, OR, and NOT to create precise queries for finding candidates in databases and on LinkedIn.

C

Candidate Pipeline

The structured sequence of stages a candidate moves through during the hiring process, from initial contact to offer.

Conversion Rate (Recruiting)

The percentage of candidates who move from one stage of the hiring pipeline to the next.

Cost per Hire

The total cost of filling a position, including advertising, recruiter time, tools, and agency fees divided by the number of hires.

D

Data Enrichment

The process of supplementing candidate profiles with additional data points like contact information, work history, and social profiles from external sources.

P

Passive Candidate

A professional who is not actively looking for a new job but may be open to the right opportunity.

Q

Quality of Hire

A composite metric measuring the value a new employee brings, typically assessed through performance reviews, retention rate, and hiring manager satisfaction.

R

Recruitment CRM

A Customer Relationship Management tool adapted for recruiting, used to build and nurture talent pools before candidates apply.

S

Structured Interview

An interview method where every candidate is asked the same predetermined questions and scored against a consistent rubric.

T

Talent Pool

A curated database of pre-qualified candidates who may be suitable for current or future openings.

Time to Fill

The number of days between opening a job requisition and a candidate accepting the offer.

Find the Right Tools

Now that you know the terms, explore the tools that put them into practice.

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