purple squirrel

Definition

A mythical perfect candidate who meets every single requirement on an impossibly specific job description. Recruiters hunt for them despite knowing they don't exist outside of HR fever dreams.

Example Usage

The hiring manager wants a purple squirrel: 10 years of experience with a technology that's only existed for 3 years, willing to work for entry-level pay.

Origin

Coined by recruiters in the early 2000s to describe the rarity of finding such candidates

Fun Fact

The term spawned from the hunting expression 'as rare as a purple squirrel,' implying something that doesn't exist in nature.

Source: Recruiting and talent acquisition slang

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