> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.jobin.cloud/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to define an ideal candidate profile (ICP) for a job

> Describe who fits a job once and get a live talent pool: filter your whole database for everyone who matches, with no tags to maintain.

To define an ideal candidate profile (ICP), choose **Ideal candidate** in the job's pipeline header or menu, build the criteria with the Contacts filters (or let AI draft them), and save it.

## What this gets you

* You describe who fits a role once and filter your whole database for everyone who matches.
* The pool updates itself. Contacts join and leave as their data and your criteria change.
* A fit bar on each contact shows how well they match.

## Steps

1. Open the job and choose **Ideal candidate** in the pipeline header or the job's menu. You can also use the ideal candidate card on the job's **Brief** tab.
2. Build the criteria with the same filters you use in Contacts. Mark what the candidate must have and what is nice to have.
3. Or choose **Use AI to define the ICP** to have AI read the job description and pre-fill the criteria. You can add a focus, such as *prioritize candidates with startup experience*. If criteria already exist, confirm that AI may replace them.
4. Save it as the job's ideal candidate. You can also save the criteria as a saved search.
5. To use it, open **Contacts**, use the **Job pipeline** filter, and choose **Show only Fitting**. Use the **Minimum pipeline fit** slider to also require a share of the nice-to-haves.

## Tips

* The ICP is a live talent pool. As your data changes, the contacts who match change with it, so you don't need to maintain tags.

## Ideas to get more from it

* Let AI draft the profile from the job description, then adjust it.
* Open Contacts with **Show only Fitting** to find existing candidates for a new role before you source new ones.
* Raise the **Minimum pipeline fit** to narrow to the strongest matches.

## Related

* [Job pipelines guide](/job-pipelines.md)
* [How to save a search and build a talent pool](/how-to/save-a-search-and-build-a-talent-pool.md)


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