UK Recruitment Glossary
Agentic AI
In recruiter context
The 2026 picture on agentic AI is more sober than the 2024 hype suggested. Simple tool-use (single-step retrieval, function calls, single API actions) works reliably in production. Multi-step autonomous agents that operate over long tasks are still unreliable for most production use cases, drift over long horizons, and compound errors when steps depend on each other. Production-ready agent patterns share three traits: well-scoped tasks with verification gates, strong human-in-the-loop oversight, and explicit kill switches. Open-ended autonomous agents are still mostly research artefacts. Strong AI Engineers can name specific agent patterns they've shipped versus avoided.
Related terms
Cold Application
Applying to a job without any prior contact, referral, or recruiter conversation.
Cover Letter
A short letter accompanying your CV that explains why you want this specific role.
Employment Gap
Any period without paid employment shown on a UK CV — redundancy, parental leave, illness, caring, s…
TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings)
UK regulation that protects employees when their job is transferred to a new employer (e.g. outsourc…