{"id":212655,"date":"2024-05-15T08:35:42","date_gmt":"2024-05-15T08:35:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aihr.com\/?post_type=hr-glossary&p=212655"},"modified":"2024-05-31T09:10:38","modified_gmt":"2024-05-31T09:10:38","slug":"applicant-pool","status":"publish","type":"hr-glossary","link":"https:\/\/www.aihr.com\/hr-glossary\/applicant-pool\/","title":{"rendered":"Applicant Pool"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Applicant pool meaning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An applicant pool refers to the group of candidates who apply for a specific position in an organization. This pool consists of all individuals who meet the initial criteria to be considered for a position and from whom the hiring team will select the most suitable candidates to proceed through the various stages of the hiring process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The size and diversity of the applicant pool can significantly differ depending on the position, the company’s reputation, the industry, and the effectiveness of the recruitment strategies<\/a> used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to note that HR may also consider candidates outside of this pool, such as existing employees who are qualified for the role, even if they haven\u2019t formally applied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is a good size applicant pool?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The ideal size of an applicant pool will vary greatly depending on the type of job, the industry, the location, and the size of the organization’s size. A study<\/a> suggests that, on average, corporate job openings attract about 250 resumes, though this number can be much higher for popular companies or roles with less stringent requirements\u200b.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, a company seeking a data scientist with advanced programming skills might receive a small applicant pool due to the specific expertise required for the position. However, a startup may get a larger applicant pool for an entry-level social media specialist because more applicants may qualify for the role.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Did you know?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

In the past few years, remote job opportunities have received, on average, 3 times more applicants<\/a> than in-person jobs. So, what is considered a \u2018good\u2019 size applicant pool will differ significantly for remote positions.<\/p>\n

However, a large applicant pool is not always a good indication, as it largely depends on the quality of applications suitable for the role.<\/p>\n

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Benefits of a strong applicant pool<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Highly qualified applicants who are suitable for the job matter much more than the number of applicants you receive. Some of the main benefits of having a strong applicant pool include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n