Recruitment Vocabulary: Key Hiring Terms Every Employer and Job Seeker Should Know

A

Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

A software system used to collect, screen, and manage job applications throughout the hiring process.

Active Candidate

A job seeker who is actively searching and applying for new employment opportunities.

B

Background Verification (BGV)

The process of verifying a candidate’s education, employment history, identity, and criminal records before hiring.

Bulk Hiring

Recruitment of a large number of candidates in a short timeframe, usually for similar job roles.

C

Candidate Shortlisting

The process of selecting suitable candidates from a pool of applicants based on job requirements.

Confidential Hiring

A discreet recruitment process, typically used for replacement hiring or senior leadership positions.

Culture Fit

The alignment between a candidate’s values, work style, and an organization’s culture.

E

Executive Search

A specialized recruitment service focused on identifying and hiring senior-level professionals such as CXOs, Directors, and Business Heads.

Employer Branding

The reputation and image of a company as an employer, influencing its ability to attract and retain talent.

F

Functional Hiring

Recruitment based on specific job functions such as Sales, Finance, HR, IT, Operations, or Supply Chain.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

A unit that measures employee workload and staffing requirements.

H

Headhunting

A proactive recruitment approach where recruiters directly approach experienced or senior professionals who are not actively job searching.

Hiring Manager

The person responsible for selecting and approving candidates for a specific role within an organization.

I

Interview Panel

A group of interviewers evaluating a candidate across multiple interview rounds.

Industry-Specific Hiring

Recruitment focused on candidates with experience in a particular industry or sector.

J

Job Description (JD)

A document outlining the responsibilities, qualifications, skills, and expectations for a role.

Joining Ratio

The percentage of candidates who successfully join after accepting an offer.

L

Leadership Hiring

Recruitment of professionals for managerial and leadership roles that influence strategy and business growth.

Lateral Hiring

Hiring professionals with prior experience in similar roles or industries.

M

Mid-Level Hiring

Recruitment for professionals with moderate experience, typically between junior and senior management levels.

O

Offer Rollout

The formal process of issuing an employment offer to a selected candidate.

Onboarding

The process of integrating a new employee into the organization after joining.

P

Permanent Staffing

Hiring candidates for full-time, long-term employment roles.

Passive Candidate

A professional not actively looking for a job but open to the right opportunity.

R

Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO)

Outsourcing part or all of the recruitment process to an external recruitment partner.

Retention Rate

The percentage of employees who remain with an organization over a defined period.

S

Screening

The initial evaluation of resumes and profiles to assess candidate suitability.

Succession Planning

Identifying and developing internal talent to fill future leadership positions.

T

Talent Acquisition

A long-term approach to attracting, hiring, and retaining skilled professionals.

Time-to-Hire

The total time taken from job posting to candidate joining.

Why This Recruitment Glossary Matters

This glossary helps:

• Employers understand recruitment processes clearly
• Job seekers navigate hiring conversations confidently
• HR teams communicate effectively with recruitment partners

A shared understanding of recruitment terms leads to better hiring decisions and smoother collaboration.

About Orbit Global HR Consultants LLP

Orbit Global HR Consultants LLP is a leading placement and executive search firm in India, offering permanent staffing, leadership hiring, and confidential executive search services across industries.Get direction