applicant
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applicant
A person who officially applies for something, especially a job, a university place, or an office.
Wir haben über hundert Bewerber für die ausgeschriebene Stelle.
We have over a hundred applicants for the advertised position.
'Der Bewerber' (the applicant) belongs to a word family: It is the person who writes a 'Bewerbung' (application) because they are 'sich um etwas bewerben' (applying for something). If you know one of these words, you can understand the others more easily.
Er hat seine Bewerbung gestern abgeschickt.
He sent off his application yesterday.
To express what someone is applying for, the prepositions 'für' (for) or 'um' (for) are used with the accusative. 'Bewerber für die Stelle' (applicant for the position) is more common in everyday language.
Es gibt viele Bewerber für diesen Studienplatz.
There are many applicants for this university place.
In the context of jobs and selection processes, you often hear phrases such as 'geeignete Bewerber' (suitable applicants), 'vielversprechende Bewerber' (promising applicants), or 'ein Kreis von Bewerbern' (a pool of applicants).
Wir haben die besten Bewerber zu einem Gespräch eingeladen.
We invited the best applicants to an interview.
candidate
'der Kandidat' and 'der Bewerber' can both refer to a person who wants to get a job, office, or position. 'Bewerber' is especially suitable when someone officially applies, for example with documents for a job or university place. 'Kandidat' is broader: it also fits elections or when someone is proposed for a position. The words can easily be confused in job contexts. For a normal application, 'Bewerber' often sounds more precise; in an election, you say 'Kandidat'.
Im Büro wartet ein Bewerber auf das Gespräch mit Frau Becker.
An applicant is waiting in the office for the interview with Ms. Becker.
Der Kandidat beantwortete vor der Wahl viele Fragen der Bürger.
The candidate answered many questions from citizens before the election.