CV formatting & recruitment glossary
Plain-English definitions of 30 terms recruiters, ops teams and clients use when talking about CVs, formatting, anonymisation and hiring programmes.
A–Z of terms
Jump to a letter, or scroll the full list.
A
- AI CV formatting
Using machine learning to read a CV in any format, identify its sections and rebuild it in a standard, branded template automatically — replacing manual copy-paste reformatting.
Related: Learn more
- Anonymised CV
A CV with identifying details — name, contact details, address, photo and links — removed so the candidate can be assessed on skills and experience. Also called a blind CV.
Related: Learn more
- Applicant tracking system (ATS)
Software that recruiters and employers use to store candidates, manage vacancies and track applications through each hiring stage. CV formatting tools such as FormatMyCV work alongside an ATS rather than replacing it.
B
- Batch processing
Handling many files in one operation instead of one at a time. In CV formatting, batch processing converts a whole set of CVs into one template in a single run — up to 100 CVs per batch in FormatMyCV.
Related: Learn more
- Blind shortlist
A shortlist of candidates presented with identifying information removed, used to reduce unconscious bias or to keep a confidential search discreet until the client is ready to meet candidates.
Related: Learn more
- Branded CV template
A reusable CV layout carrying an agency's logo, fonts, colours and section order, so every candidate submitted to clients looks consistent and recognisably from that agency.
Related: Learn more
- Bulk CV formatting
Converting a large set of candidate CVs into one standard format in a single operation — common for RPO programmes, tenders, graduate intakes and volume staffing.
Related: Learn more
C
- Candidate profile
A recruiter-prepared document presenting a candidate to a client, usually combining a formatted CV with a summary and the consultant's assessment. Common in executive search.
Related: Learn more
- Candidate reference
A code (for example "Candidate A7") used in place of a name on an anonymised CV, so a blind candidate can still be discussed and tracked.
Related: Learn more
- CV (curriculum vitae)
A document summarising a person's work history, education, skills and achievements. In the UK, Europe, India and much of the world "CV" is the standard term for a job-application document.
- CV formatting
The process of converting a candidate's CV into a consistent layout — usually a recruitment agency's branded template — before sending it to a client. Traditionally manual; now commonly automated with AI.
Related: Learn more
- CV parsing
Extracting structured data (name, contact details, jobs, dates, skills) from a CV so it can be stored in a database or ATS. Parsing produces data fields; formatting produces a finished document for a client.
Related: Learn more
D
- Data minimisation
A data-protection principle (for example under GDPR) that you should only collect and share the personal data needed for a specific purpose. Sending anonymised CVs at early stages applies this principle.
Related: Privacy policy
- DE&I
Diversity, equity and inclusion — policies and practices that aim to give people from all backgrounds fair access to opportunities. Blind CVs are one common DE&I practice in hiring.
Related: Learn more
E
- Email-based CV formatting
Formatting a CV by forwarding it to a dedicated email address and receiving the formatted version back, without logging in to an application.
Related: Learn more
- Executive search
A specialist form of recruitment focused on senior leadership, board and hard-to-fill roles, usually run on a retained basis with in-depth research and assessment.
Related: Learn more
G
- GDPR
The General Data Protection Regulation — the EU (and, as UK GDPR, the United Kingdom) law governing how personal data, including candidate CVs, is collected, stored, used and deleted.
Related: Privacy policy
H
- House style
An organisation's rules for how documents should look and read: fonts, colours, logo placement, section order, date format and tone. In recruitment, the house style defines how every candidate CV is presented.
Related: Learn more
L
- Longlist
The first, broad list of potential candidates identified for a role before screening narrows it to a shortlist.
Related: Learn more
M
- MSP (managed service provider)
An organisation that manages a client's contingent workforce programme, including which staffing suppliers are used and how candidates are submitted — often with strict CV format rules.
Related: Learn more
O
- OCR (optical character recognition)
Technology that converts images of text — scanned PDFs, photos of printed CVs — into machine-readable text so it can be structured and formatted.
Related: Learn more
P
- Placement
A successful hire made through a recruiter. For agencies, placements generate fees — which is why time spent on non-billable admin such as formatting matters.
R
- Resume
The North American term for a CV — usually a shorter (one to two page) summary of experience and skills. FormatMyCV formats CVs and resumes alike.
- Retained search
An executive search engagement where the client pays the search firm part of the fee up front to run an exclusive, in-depth search for a role.
Related: Learn more
- RPO (recruitment process outsourcing)
An arrangement where an employer outsources all or part of its recruitment to an external provider, which often handles high volumes of CVs for many hiring managers.
Related: Learn more
S
- Secure weblink
A private, access-controlled link to a document that can be shared instead of an email attachment and revoked when no longer needed.
Related: Learn more
- Shortlist
The small set of screened candidates a recruiter presents to a client for interview, typically three to six people.
Related: Learn more
- Staffing agency
A recruitment business that supplies temporary, contract or temp-to-perm workers — often in high volumes and with fast turnaround requirements.
Related: Learn more
T
- Tender
A formal bid to supply services, often to the public sector. Recruitment tenders frequently require CVs of proposed staff in a specific, sometimes anonymised, format.
Related: Learn more
V
- VMS (vendor management system)
Software used by employers and MSPs to manage contingent-workforce suppliers, requisitions and candidate submissions.
Related: Learn more
Terms people mix up
| Pair | The difference |
|---|---|
| CV vs. resume | Same purpose; "resume" is the North American term and is usually shorter. |
| CV parsing vs. CV formatting | Parsing produces data for your ATS; formatting produces a branded document for clients. |
| Longlist vs. shortlist | The longlist is everyone considered; the shortlist is the few presented for interview. |
| MSP vs. VMS | An MSP is a service provider managing a contingent workforce; a VMS is the software it often uses. |
| Blind CV vs. redacted CV | A blind CV is rebuilt without identifiers; a redacted CV has details blacked out and can leak metadata. |
| Staffing agency vs. recruitment agency | Staffing usually means temporary and contract supply at volume; recruitment often means permanent placements. |
Where these terms show up in FormatMyCV
Guides that explain these terms in context
Suggest a definition
Recruitment has no shortage of jargon. If there is a term you would like explained, let us know and we will add it.
Glossary FAQs
What is CV formatting?
The process of converting a candidate's CV into a consistent layout — usually a recruitment agency's branded template — before sending it to a client. Traditionally manual; now commonly automated with AI.
What is the difference between a CV and a resume?
A CV (curriculum vitae) is the standard term in the UK, Europe, India and much of the world for a job-application document; "resume" is the North American term and is usually shorter. FormatMyCV formats both.
What is the difference between CV parsing and CV formatting?
CV parsing extracts data fields for a database or ATS. CV formatting produces a finished, branded document that is sent to a client.
What is a blind CV?
A CV with identifying details — name, contact details, photo, links and sometimes employers and schools — removed so the candidate is assessed on skills and experience.
What is a house style in recruitment?
An agency's rules for how every candidate CV looks: fonts, colours, logo, section order, date format and what to leave out.
See it on your own CVs — 10 free, no card needed
Upload a handful of real candidate CVs, pick a template and compare the output with what your team produces by hand today.
Unlimited team seats on every plan · Cancel anytime · GDPR-friendlyAsk us anything about your CV workflow
Send a note and a real person replies within one business day — or book a 20-minute demo and watch your own CVs reformatted live.
Reach us directly
- Emailsupport@formatmycv.com
- London+44 20 3807 7392
- DemoBook a 20-minute demo
London N1 7GU
United Kingdom
Replies within one business day · No sales sequences · GDPR-friendly