UK Recruitment Glossary
Job Offer
In recruiter context
A verbal offer is real but flimsy — a written offer letter is what you negotiate against. Most UK offers are conditional on satisfactory references, right-to-work checks, and sometimes DBS or credit checks. The employer can withdraw a conditional offer if those checks fail; withdrawing an unconditional offer for no reason is harder and can expose them to discrimination claims. Don't resign your current role until you have the written offer in hand and the conditions are met. I've seen verbal offers evaporate when budget got cut between offer and contract.
Related terms
Talent Pool
A pre-built list of candidates a recruiter has already screened for future roles.
Career Break
A formal pause in employment, typically 6 months to 2 years, agreed with your employer or taken betw…
Portfolio Career
Building income from multiple sources — a permanent role plus consulting, multiple part-time roles, …
Whistleblowing
Reporting wrongdoing in the workplace — fraud, illegal activity, health and safety breaches, environ…