Recruiting has its own set of words and short forms. People in HR often say things like “req,” “ATS,” or “headcount.” If you’re new to hiring or job searching, it can sound confusing. The word req pops up often in emails, job boards, and hiring systems.
A req is a simple term for a job requisition. It’s how a company asks permission to open a new job or fill an empty one. Recruiters, hiring managers, and HR teams use reqs to keep the hiring process organized and approved.
What Does “Req” Mean in Recruiting?
“Req” is short for job requisition. It’s an internal document or request used to start the hiring process. A hiring manager creates it when a team needs to hire someone. The req usually lists:
- The job title and department
- The reason for the hire
- The salary range
- The required skills
- Who will manage the position
It’s like a green light from management saying, “Yes, you can hire for this role.”
Why Job Requisitions Matter
Companies can’t hire randomly. Every position must be approved to stay within budget. A job requisition makes sure each role has proper funding and fits the team’s needs. It keeps everything recorded and traceable.
HR teams use job reqs to:
- Track how many open roles exist
- Keep budgets balanced
- Get leadership approval
- Measure hiring progress
- Ensure compliance with company policies
A req is both a planning and tracking tool. It helps recruiters stay aligned with business goals.
How a Req Moves Through the Hiring Process
A job requisition follows a clear path before someone is hired. Here’s how it usually works:
- The hiring manager fills out a job req form.
- HR or finance approves the request.
- The recruiter posts the job online.
- Applicants send resumes through an ATS (Applicant Tracking System).
- Recruiters and managers screen candidates.
- Interviews happen.
- Once a candidate accepts an offer, the req is marked “closed.”
Each req has an ID number that recruiters use to track progress and updates. It helps everyone know which job is active and what stage it’s in.
Open, Closed, and Frozen Reqs
Reqs can have different statuses. These terms tell you whether a company is still hiring for that role.
| Req Status | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Open | The company is hiring and accepting applications. | “We have two open reqs for sales reps.” |
| Closed | The position has been filled or canceled. | “Req 3012 closed after hiring a designer.” |
| Frozen | Hiring paused due to budget or reorganization. | “That req is frozen until next quarter.” |
This helps recruiters manage workload and hiring priorities.
Common Recruiting Terms Related to Reqs
Recruiters use several related terms when talking about job openings. Here’s a short glossary:
- ATS (Applicant Tracking System): Software like Workday or Greenhouse used to manage reqs and candidates.
- Requisition ID: A unique code for each job req.
- Headcount: The total number of approved employees for a team.
- Pipeline: A list of active candidates for a req.
- Hiring Manager: The person responsible for filling the role.
Knowing these terms helps you understand how hiring teams talk internally.
How Recruiters Manage Multiple Reqs
A recruiter often works on many reqs at once. Some might be for engineers, others for sales or support. Tools like Greenhouse, Lever, or Workday help track progress.
Recruiters usually:
- Prioritize roles with urgent deadlines.
- Communicate with hiring managers for updates.
- Keep candidate data clean in the ATS.
- Close reqs once the offer is signed.
It’s part planning, part coordination. The goal is to fill roles fast while keeping data accurate.
What Reqs Mean for Job Seekers
For job seekers, the word “req” often appears in job listings or email subject lines. When a recruiter says, “Req #2054 is closed,” it means the company isn’t hiring for that position anymore.
If you apply and see a req disappear, it’s likely filled or canceled. When a company has many open reqs, it means they’re expanding or hiring aggressively. Knowing these signs helps candidates understand hiring activity.
Conclusion
A “req” might sound like HR talk, but it’s just the start of every hiring process. It connects managers, recruiters, and HR to make sure each job follows proper approval and tracking.
Understanding what a req is helps both job seekers and recruiters communicate clearly. It’s one of the first steps to learning the language of hiring.
If this helped clear up what a req means, share it with others or comment with your own experience working with job requisitions.