Candidate vs. Prospective — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 6, 2024
A candidate is an individual actively seeking a specific role or opportunity, while a prospective individual is someone who might be considered for a role or opportunity but hasn't necessarily committed to pursuing it yet.
Difference Between Candidate and Prospective
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A candidate is someone who has officially applied or is actively seeking a role, job, or position, whereas a prospective person is seen as a potential applicant or participant who hasn't necessarily committed yet.
Candidates often undergo an evaluation or selection process, actively competing with others for a particular role, while prospective individuals might not have begun this competition but are considered suitable or eligible.
The term "candidate" frequently applies to elections or job applications, highlighting the intent to fill a position, whereas "prospective" is broader, encompassing anyone who might be considered suitable but hasn't formally entered a selection process.
Candidates have usually submitted required documentation or expressed explicit interest, whereas prospective individuals might be identified by others or seen as potential participants due to their qualifications or background.
The difference in commitment is key: candidates show direct involvement, whereas prospective individuals may remain in the consideration phase.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An individual actively seeking a role
Someone potentially suitable for a role
Commitment
Has explicitly shown interest
May not have expressed interest yet
Process
Involved in a formal selection process
Not formally involved in selection
Context
Election campaigns, job applications
Preliminary search or identification
Evaluation
Assessed through application criteria
Potentially suitable based on qualifications
Compare with Definitions
Candidate
A nominee for recognition or an award.
The academy announced its list of best actor candidates.
Prospective
Potential participant in an event or activity.
Prospective students toured the university campus.
Candidate
Applicant meeting specific criteria.
Each candidate must have a bachelor's degree.
Prospective
Someone who might be suitable for a role.
We interviewed several prospective employees.
Candidate
Person competing in an election.
The candidate campaigned extensively in rural areas.
Prospective
Expected or likely to occur.
There are many prospective economic benefits.
Candidate
Someone officially applying for a role.
The candidate submitted her resume for the marketing position.
Prospective
Someone not formally involved yet.
A prospective buyer asked for more details about the property.
Candidate
A contender for a specific status.
The patient is a good candidate for surgery.
Prospective
Identified as a future contender.
Prospective clients will be offered exclusive discounts.
Candidate
A candidate, or nominee, is the prospective recipient of an award or honor, or a person seeking or being considered for some kind of position; for example: to be elected to an office — in this case a candidate selection procedure occurs. to receive membership in a group"Nomination" is part of the process of selecting a candidate for either election to an office by a political party, or the bestowing of an honor or award.
Prospective
Expected or expecting to be the specified thing in the future
She showed a prospective buyer around the house
Candidate
A person who seeks or is nominated for an office, prize, or honor.
Prospective
Likely or expected to happen.
Candidate
A student who has nearly completed the requirements for a degree.
Prospective
Likely to become or be
Prospective clients.
Candidate
One that seems likely to gain a certain position or come to a certain fate
Young actors who are candidates for stardom.
A memorandum that is a good candidate for the trash can.
Prospective
Likely or expected to happen or become.
Prospective students are those who have already applied to the university, but have yet to be admitted.
Candidate
A person who is running in an election.
Smith announced he was the party's candidate for the next election.
Prospective
Anticipated in the near or far future.
Candidate
A person who is applying for a job.
All candidates who miss the deadline or make a spelling mistake in their applications are automatically rejected.
Prospective
Of or relating to a prospect; furnishing a prospect.
Candidate
A participant in an examination.
Candidates must remain silent for the entirety of the exam.
Prospective
Looking forward in time; acting with foresight.
Candidate
Something or somebody that may be suitable.
After being presented with various suitors, she decided none of the candidates were the kind of man she was looking for.
Prospective
A study that starts with the present situation and follows participants into the future
Candidate
(genetics) A gene which may play a role in a given disease.
Prospective
(grammar) Indicating grammatically an activity about to begin.
What some other languages convey with prospective aspect, English conveys with expressions like going to drive the car home.
Candidate
(uncommon) To stand as a candidate for an office, especially a religious one.
Prospective
(obsolete) The scene before or around, in time or in space; view; prospect.
Candidate
To make or name (something) a candidate (for use, for study as a next project, for investigation as a possible cause of something, etc).
Prospective
(obsolete) A perspective glass.
Candidate
One who offers himself, or is put forward by others, as a suitable person or an aspirant or contestant for an office, privilege, or honor; as, a candidate for the office of governor; a candidate for holy orders; a candidate for scholastic honors.
Prospective
A prospective (potential) member, student, employee, date, partner, etc.
Would you like to show the prospective around?
I'm meeting the prospectives at 3.
Candidate
A politician who is running for public office
Prospective
Of or pertaining to a prospect; furnishing a prospect; perspective.
Time's long and dark prospective glass.
Candidate
Someone who is considered for something (for an office or prize or honor etc.)
Prospective
Looking forward in time; acting with foresight; - opposed to retrospective.
The French king of Sweden are circumspect, industrious, and prospective, too, in this affair.
Prospective
Being within view or consideration, as a future event or contingency; relating to the future: expected; as, a prospective benefit.
Points on which the promises, at the time of ordination, had no prospective bearing.
Prospective
The scene before or around, in time or in space; view; prospect.
Prospective
A perspective glass.
Prospective
Concerned with or related to the future;
Prospective earnings
A prospective mother
The statute is solely prospective in operation
Prospective
Anticipated for the near future;
The prospective students
His prospective bride
Common Curiosities
Are candidates and prospective individuals the same?
No, candidates are formally involved, while prospective individuals are potential contenders.
Is it possible for a candidate to lose their prospective status?
Yes, once they commit to pursuing a specific position, they are no longer merely prospective.
Do candidates and prospective individuals require different qualifications?
Qualifications may overlap, but candidates are typically held to stricter criteria.
Do prospective individuals compete for positions like candidates?
Not directly; they may not be formally considered yet.
Does being a candidate guarantee selection?
No, candidates must still undergo a selection process.
Is a prospective client different from a candidate client?
Yes, a prospective client is not yet officially engaged, while a candidate client is formally considered.
Can a prospective individual become a candidate?
Yes, once they express interest or submit an application.
Can you be both a prospective and a current candidate?
You can be prospective for one position while currently a candidate for another.
What industries use the term "candidate" frequently?
Politics and recruitment commonly use "candidate."
Do candidates receive different treatment than prospective individuals?
Yes, candidates often receive direct communication and evaluation.
What about "prospective"?
Universities, real estate, and business development often refer to "prospective."
Can candidates be considered "prospective" in some contexts?
Sometimes, especially when looking ahead to future eligibility.
Is "prospective" only used for people?
No, it can describe events, markets, or other potential outcomes.
Is there a universal process for moving from prospective to candidate status?
No, this varies by industry and organization.
Are prospective individuals less qualified than candidates?
Not necessarily; they just haven't formally entered a selection process.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
