Qualified Candidate
A job applicant who meets the minimum criteria for a role as defined in the job description — typically in terms of skills, experience, and qualifications.
A qualified candidate is someone whose background meets the requirements outlined in a job description. Qualification is the first filter in any hiring process: applicants who do not meet the baseline criteria are typically screened out during the initial application review, before progressing to interviews.
The definition of "qualified" varies significantly between organisations and roles. Some recruiters apply criteria strictly; others take a broader view of potential, considering candidates who do not meet every stated requirement but demonstrate strong transferable skills or a compelling trajectory.
Skills-based hiring challenges traditional notions of qualification by evaluating candidates on demonstrated abilities rather than credentials or experience. Under this model, a candidate without a university degree may be considered highly qualified if they can demonstrate the relevant technical skills — and excluded if they cannot, regardless of educational background.