- Requisition
- A formal internal request to fill a position, typically requiring approval from HR and a budget authority before recruiting begins.
- Job description
- An internal document listing a role's responsibilities, qualifications, and reporting relationships, used for hiring and performance management.
- Job posting
- The candidate-facing advertisement for an open role, derived from the job description and published on job boards or internally.
- Screening
- The initial review of applications to determine which candidates meet the minimum qualifications for a role.
- Structured interview
- An interview format where every candidate is asked the same predetermined questions and scored on the same criteria.
- Background check
- A verification of a candidate's criminal record, employment history, education, or credit, conducted before a conditional offer becomes final.
- Reference check
- Contact with a candidate's former employers or colleagues to verify work history and assess past performance.
- Offer letter
- A written document extending employment to a selected candidate and stating the agreed compensation, start date, and key conditions.
- At-will employment
- An employment arrangement, common in the US, where either party may end the relationship at any time without cause, unless a contract says otherwise.
- Equal opportunity employer (EOE)
- A designation indicating that an employer does not discriminate based on race, sex, age, religion, disability, or other protected characteristics.
- Onboarding
- The process of integrating a new hire into the organization — completing paperwork, setting up systems, and introducing them to their role and team.
- Headcount approval
- Authorization from finance or senior leadership to add a new position to the organization's payroll budget.