What is a candidate?
A candidate is a person who applies for a job or is being considered for a position at a business. Whether they've just submitted a resume or are already mid-interview, anyone actively in the running for a role is considered a candidate.
For small business owners, every candidate represents a potential team member—and choosing the right one can make a big difference in your business’s day-to-day success. That’s why having a clear hiring process in place (and the right tools to manage it) helps you find the right people faster. Platforms like Homebase Hiring & Onboarding can help you post jobs, track candidates, and move them through your hiring pipeline with ease.
Types of candidates in the hiring process
Not all candidates are at the same stage. Here’s how you might refer to them depending on where they are in the process:
- Applicant – Someone who has just submitted a job application
- Screened candidate – Someone you’ve reviewed and are considering moving forward
- Interviewed candidate – A candidate you’ve met with to assess fit
- Finalist – Someone you’re seriously considering offering the role
Understanding where each candidate stands helps you stay organized and respectful of everyone’s time—especially when you're juggling multiple openings.
Why the candidate experience matters
Whether you hire someone or not, every interaction a candidate has with your business shapes their impression of your brand. A smooth, respectful hiring process helps you:
- Attract better talent
- Build a positive reputation
- Encourage future applications and referrals
Candidates talk—online and in person. A clear, professional hiring experience increases your chances of finding the right fit now and in the future.
What to look for in a great candidate
The right candidate isn’t always the one with the longest resume. For hourly roles or small team environments, you might prioritize:
- Attitude and reliability
- Willingness to learn
- Strong communication skills
- Team fit and cultural alignment
Experience is important, but so is how someone fits into your workflow and interacts with your customers.
How to manage candidates more effectively
If you’re hiring for more than one role—or just don’t want to lose track—it helps to use a system to manage candidates. With Homebase, for example, you can:
- View all applications in one place
- Sort candidates by stage (applied, interview, hired)
- Send messages or schedule interviews directly from the app
- Store notes and feedback
Try Homebase Hiring & Onboarding to stay on top of your candidate pipeline and reduce time-to-hire.
Communicating with candidates
Good communication builds trust and shows your business is organized and respectful. Best practices include:
- Acknowledging applications with a quick “thank you” email
- Following up quickly after interviews
- Letting candidates know when they’re no longer being considered
A little follow-through goes a long way in creating a professional and positive candidate experience.
How Homebase helps you pick the right candidate
Every candidate who applies for your open role is someone who took the time to consider working with you. Whether or not they’re the right fit, how you manage the process matters.
With the right tools, you can organize applications, move faster, and make hiring less stressful for everyone involved.
Sign up for Homebase to streamline hiring, onboarding, and team management all in one platform.
Related articles
- Evaluating candidates in a competitive hiring market
- From Job Description to Onboarding: 7 Hiring Process Steps for Your Business
- New Homebase Research Reveals the Smallest Business’ Biggest Hiring Advantage