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Define candidate types in Recruiting

Learn what Candidate Types mean in Recruiting. This admin guide explains passive and job seeker types, where they appear in Applicant Tracking, and how to choose the right type for each job applicant.

This article is for administrators.

 

Candidate Type is shown on the candidate's details screen: 

  1. Go to People > Hiring > Applicant Tracking. 
  2. Select a job title, then select a candidate. The details screen opens.

Passive candidate types

Passive candidates are people not actively looking for a new job.

Type Description
Recruiting Target

These are candidates you actively seek. 

  • Example: You find a good candidate on LinkedIn and want to see if they are interested in a job. 
  • You can mark their Candidate Type as a Recruiting Target and list LinkedIn in Source/Referrer.
Confidential Resume

Candidates can upload an anonymous resume on job boards so their current employer does not know they are looking for a new job. 

  • Their contact information is hidden, so recruiters must use a special Contact Candidate button to reach them. If the candidate responds, the recruiter can get their contact information. 
  • The Confidential Resume type does not hide the candidate in Recruiting.
Employee Lead

These are potential candidates who are identified by an employee. 

  • Example: You receive an email from a current employee stating: “I have a friend who is on the job market, and I think they would be a good fit for the role you have posted. Here is their information.”
Other Passive candidates who do not fit in any of the above types.

Job seeker candidate types

Job seekers are people actively looking for a new job.

Type Description
Resume Bank Candidate found in a resume repository, like a college resume bank for new graduates.
Site Applicant

Candidate who applies on your company website. 

  • If a candidate applies without using a tracking link, Recruiting automatically sets the Candidate Type to Site Applicant.
Internal Referral

Candidate who was referred by another employee. 

  • Add the employee's (referrer) name in Source/Referrer.
Gravity Referral

Candidate who applied via a Gravity link. 

  • When a candidate applies using a Gravity link, Recruiting sets the Candidate Type to Gravity Referral, using Source/Referrer to display the name of the referring Gravity user.
Posting Response

Candidate who responds to a job board posting, such as on Indeed.com. 

  • When candidates apply through an integrated job board partner or by a Tracking Link with a Source/Referrer, like Craigslist, Recruiting sets the Candidate Type to Posting Response. 
Agency Resume

Candidate provided through a recruiting agency. 

  • Add the agency or recruiter in Source/Referrer, or you can use our Agency Manager feature.
Other Job seeker candidates who do not fit into any of the above types.

Updated: April 1st, 2026 6561 views


*This content is for educational purposes only, is not intended to provide specific legal advice, and should not be used as a substitute for the legal advice of a qualified attorney or other professional. The information may not reflect the most current legal developments, may be changed without notice and is not guaranteed to be complete, correct, or up-to-date.

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