Bewerber

Bewerber is a German noun referring to a person who applies for a job, a study place, or another opportunity. The term is common in German-speaking countries and is formed from the verb bewerben with the agent suffix -er, indicating a person who makes an application.

In everyday HR language, a Bewerber has submitted an application and seeks consideration for a position. A typical Bewerbungsprozess (application process) includes the submission of Bewerbungsunterlagen (documents such as Lebenslauf, Anschreiben, and certificates), initial screening or shortlisting, interviews (Bewerbungsgespräch), and sometimes tests or assessments. The result is an Absage (rejection) or an Anstellung (employment offer).

Legal and ethical considerations play a role in handling Bewerberdaten. Under data protection rules (such as the DSGVO in the EU), employers must inform applicants about data collection, obtain necessary consent to store data, and retain information only as long as required. Applicants have rights to access and erasure, and employers must ensure non-discrimination in the selection process.

Bewerber is sometimes used interchangeably with Kandidat or Interessent, though subtle differences exist. Kandidat can imply a more advanced stage or a particular fit for a role, while Interessent emphasizes interest in a position. The term also appears in contexts beyond employment, such as Bewerber um Fördermittel or Studienplätze, reflecting its broader sense of a person seeking an opportunity.