Who is referred to as an applicant?

An applicant is defined as a person who is officially asking for something, typically in the context of job applications. This means that when individuals seek employment, they submit applications to express their interest in a position, making them applicants. In the realm of employment law and hiring practices, the term 'applicant' generally denotes those individuals actively pursuing a job opportunity, providing their qualifications and seeking to be considered for employment.

The other roles listed, including those currently employed, hiring managers, and company owners, do not fit this definition. Individuals already employed are not seeking a position and therefore are not considered applicants. Similarly, hiring managers are responsible for evaluating applicants rather than being applicants themselves, and company owners are typically in positions of authority without the need to apply for jobs. Thus, the correct identification of an applicant as someone who is officially requesting something—like a job—highlights the focus on individuals actively engaged in the job search process.