The term "qualified candidate" refers to an individual who possesses the necessary skills, experience and qualifications required for a particular job or position. In other words, it means that the person has met all the criteria set by the employer for the role they are applying for. A qualified candidate is someone who has gone through a rigorous selection process which may include an application review, phone screening, in-person interview and background check among others. The term "qualified candidates" can also refer to a group of individuals who have met the criteria set by the employer and are eligible for consideration for a job opening.