UK Recruitment Glossary
Headhunter
In recruiter context
Different from a contingency recruiter. A headhunter is usually retained (paid up front) by the client to fill a specific senior role. They work a tight shortlist of 4-6 candidates and pitch them. If a headhunter calls you for a director-or-above role, take it seriously — they don't waste their own time on speculative pings.
Related terms
Furlough
A temporary leave of absence with reduced or zero pay, where the employee remains employed.
Coding Test
A timed technical assessment used in UK tech hiring — typically HackerRank, CodeSignal, or a custom …
RSU (Restricted Stock Unit)
A grant of company shares that vests over time — common at US-headquartered tech companies hiring in…
Shortlist
The 3-7 candidates a hiring manager interviews after the recruiter has filtered the full applicant p…