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Candidate Shortlist Template

How do you present a shortlist that gets the client to book interviews?

Present up to three candidates in a format clients act on: current role, experience, visa status, notice period, current and expected package, and why each fits the brief.

How the shortlist is laid out

A header with the role, location, client, your agency and the date, then an optional search summary. Each candidate gets the same block in the same order — current role, relevant experience, location and visa, notice, current and expected package and why they fit — so the client can compare at a glance. Candidates 2 and 3 only appear when you fill them in. It closes with a line confirming every candidate agreed to be put forward and asking for interview slots.

Transferable visa: The candidate can move employer in-country without leaving.
Expected package: What the candidate is asking for, monthly, in the same currency.

What clients look at first

Field	Why it matters in the Gulf
Visa status	Decides the start date and whether a new visa is needed
Notice period	Often 1–3 months; drives the start date
Current vs expected	Shows whether the budget works before the interview
Why they fit	Links the CV to the brief so the client doesn't have to

Before you send it

Get each candidate's consent to be presented to this client for this role.
Leave out age, nationality, religion and marital status unless the role legally requires them.
Send only to the hiring contact named in your terms.

Related agency templates

Anonymise CVs with the blind CV template and check you're not re-submitting someone with the duplicate candidate checker.

Frequently asked questions

What should a candidate shortlist include?

For each candidate: current role and type of employer, relevant years of experience, location and visa status, notice period, current and expected package, and two or three lines on why they fit this brief. Add a one-line search summary so the client sees the work behind the shortlist.

Why include visa status and notice period?

In the Gulf they decide whether — and when — someone can start. A candidate on a transferable visa with one month's notice can join far sooner than one who needs a new visa from abroad and has three months' notice. Clients compare these first.

How many candidates should be on a shortlist?

Usually two or three strong candidates beat a long list. The template has room for three; leave the second and third blank and they disappear from the document.

Should I include the candidate's name?

Only with the candidate's consent to be put forward for this specific role. Many agencies use a reference number until the client wants to interview — pair the shortlist with a blind CV for that.

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Free HR tool · No sign-up

Candidate Shortlist Template

How do you present a shortlist that gets the client to book interviews?

Present up to three candidates in a format clients act on: current role, experience, visa status, notice period, current and expected package, and why each fits the brief.

Step 1 · Role & search0/7

Agency / recruiter

Client

Role

Location

Date

Consultant name & phone

Search summary (optional)

Step 2 · Candidate 10/8

Candidate 1 — name or reference

Candidate 1 — current title & company type

Candidate 1 — years of relevant experience

Candidate 1 — location & visa status

Candidate 1 — notice period

Candidate 1 — current package

Candidate 1 — expected package

Candidate 1 — why they fit

Step 3 · Candidate 2 (optional)0/8

Candidate 2 — name or reference

Candidate 2 — current title & company type

Candidate 2 — years of relevant experience

Candidate 2 — location & visa status

Candidate 2 — notice period

Candidate 2 — current package

Candidate 2 — expected package

Candidate 2 — why they fit

Step 4 · Candidate 3 (optional)0/8

Candidate 3 — name or reference

Candidate 3 — current title & company type

Candidate 3 — years of relevant experience

Candidate 3 — location & visa status

Candidate 3 — notice period

Candidate 3 — current package

Candidate 3 — expected package

Candidate 3 — why they fit

SHORTLIST

SHORTLIST — [Role] (to fill in), [Location] (to fill in) For: [Client] (to fill in) From: [Agency / recruiter] (to fill in) · [Consultant name & phone] (to fill in) Date: [Date] (to fill in)

CANDIDATE 1: [Candidate 1] (to fill in) Current role: [Candidate 1 — current title & company type] (to fill in) Relevant experience: [Candidate 1 — years of relevant experience] (to fill in) Location / visa: [Candidate 1 — location & visa status] (to fill in) Notice period: [Candidate 1 — notice period] (to fill in) Current package: [Candidate 1 — current package] (to fill in) · Expected: [Candidate 1 — expected package] (to fill in) Why they fit: [Why they fit] (to fill in)

Every candidate above has agreed to be put forward for this role. Full CVs are attached. Please confirm who you would like to interview and your available slots, and we will arrange times.

Introductions are made under our terms of business.

Share candidate details only with their consent and only with this client. Leave out age, nationality, religion and marital status unless the role legally requires them.

13 fields still show as [highlighted placeholders] — fill them in or edit after copying.

How the shortlist is laid out

Transferable visa: The candidate can move employer in-country without leaving.
Expected package: What the candidate is asking for, monthly, in the same currency.

What clients look at first

Field	Why it matters in the Gulf
Visa status	Decides the start date and whether a new visa is needed
Notice period	Often 1–3 months; drives the start date
Current vs expected	Shows whether the budget works before the interview
Why they fit	Links the CV to the brief so the client doesn't have to

Before you send it

Get each candidate's consent to be presented to this client for this role.
Leave out age, nationality, religion and marital status unless the role legally requires them.
Send only to the hiring contact named in your terms.

Related agency templates

Anonymise CVs with the blind CV template and check you're not re-submitting someone with the duplicate candidate checker.

Frequently asked questions

What should a candidate shortlist include?

Why include visa status and notice period?

How many candidates should be on a shortlist?

Usually two or three strong candidates beat a long list. The template has room for three; leave the second and third blank and they disappear from the document.

Should I include the candidate's name?

Only with the candidate's consent to be put forward for this specific role. Many agencies use a reference number until the client wants to interview — pair the shortlist with a blind CV for that.