Imagine receiving feedback from a recruiter: “We tried to poach this switcher, but they failed the culture fit and then totally ghosted us.” To many business leaders and job seekers, such phrasing sounds like a secret code.
Professional jargon helps HR specialists exchange information quickly, but in communication with clients (hiring managers) or candidates, it often creates barriers and misunderstandings.
To ensure maximum transparency in our processes and to stay on the same page with you, we at IDN Recruitment are launching a new regular column — The Recruitment Slang Dictionary. From now on, we will periodically decode specific terms, translating them into clear, straightforward business language.
Let’s open the second part of our glossary and break down six essential slang concepts from the world of recruitment that you’ve definitely heard.
1. Headhunt / Poach (Хантити)
The process of deliberately luring away a highly successful specialist who is currently employed at another company and isn’t actively looking for a job. To “poach” someone means to make them an offer they simply cannot refuse.
2. Switcher (Світчер)
A slang term for a candidate who has radically changed their career path later in life. For example, someone who used to be an accountant but became a QA engineer after taking courses, or transitioned from classic sales to IT recruitment. Switchers require a special approach during interviews, as their previous background can often be a huge asset in their new role.
3. Bench (Бенч)
Literally, the “substitutes’ bench.” This term is mostly used in IT outsourcing. If a specialist is “on the bench,” it means their previous project has ended, but a new one hasn’t started yet. The person remains on the payroll and receives a salary, but temporarily isn’t generating revenue for the company. For recruiters, a specialist on the bench is often the perfect target to headhunt.
4. Culture Fit (Калчер фіт)
An assessment of how well a candidate aligns with the company’s “vibe” (corporate culture and core values). A person might have a flawless resume and brilliant technical skills, but if the company thrives in startup chaos while the candidate prefers strict bureaucracy and quiet—they will fail the “culture fit.”
5. Put on a PIP (Піпнути)
PIP stands for Performance Improvement Plan. In slang, “putting someone on a PIP” means an employee is underperforming and is given a final chance (usually 1–3 months) to fix the situation according to strict metrics. More often than not, it is the first step toward a formal termination.
6. Ghosting (Гоустинг)
Derived from the word “ghost.” This is a situation where a candidate (or sometimes the employer) suddenly and inexplicably vanishes from the radar during the hiring process. They stop replying to Telegram messages, fail to show up for a scheduled online interview, or even don’t log in on their first working day.
Clear communication and transparent terminology are the foundation for an effective partnership and predictable hiring results.
What other recruitment or IT terms frequently cause confusion or need further explanation? Email us to leave your suggestions, and we will definitely break them down in the upcoming editions of our dictionary!
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