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JL JobLabs

UK Recruitment Glossary

Cold Application

Alex By Alex · 12-year UK recruiter · Updated April 2026

In recruiter context

These convert at single-digit rates on most job boards. Easy Apply on LinkedIn is the coldest of cold — high volume, low signal. A warm application (referral, prior conversation, or applying after a recruiter reaches out) converts somewhere between 5 and 10 times higher. If you're sending 50 cold applications a week and getting nothing, the issue is rarely your CV. It's the channel.

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