ATS & Recruiting Glossary

Plain-language definitions of 6 terms used in applicant tracking, candidate management, and the ATS buying process.

A

Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

An applicant tracking system (ATS) is software that manages the recruiting process from job requisition to offer acceptance. It tracks candidate applications, organises pipeline stages, enables interview scheduling, and generates compliance records.

H

Core Concepts

Hiring Funnel

The hiring funnel is the set of sequential stages a job candidate moves through from application to offer acceptance. Each stage has a conversion rate that reveals bottlenecks in your recruiting process.

O

Recruiting Process

Offer Management

Offer management is the workflow of generating, approving, sending, and tracking a formal job offer through an ATS. It covers offer letter templating, approval chains, e-signature collection, and HRIS handoff.

R

Sourcing Tools

Recruiting CRM

A recruiting CRM manages passive candidates who have not yet applied — talent pools, outreach sequences, and long-term nurture. It sits upstream of the ATS in the recruiting workflow.

S

Interview Process

Structured Interview

A structured interview uses a standardised set of questions and a competency-based scoring rubric (scorecard) applied consistently to every candidate for the same role. Research shows structured interviews predict job performance 2x more accurately than unstructured conversations.

T

Recruiting KPIs

Time to Hire

Time to hire measures the number of days from a candidate's first touchpoint (application submitted or first contact by a recruiter) to the moment they accept an offer. It is distinct from time-to-fill.

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