Is "potential candidates" a tautology?

Is "potential candidates" a tautology?

I am not sure whether the potential of succeeding candidacy is implied in the definition of candidacy.

Usage:

If there are many potential candidates who applied for the job, the interviewing process may take weeks.

Research:

The definition of "tautology" is loosely the saying of the same thing twice over in different words. However, candidate seems to only loosely imply the potential of their candidacy. I wonder whether it is possible can have a potential-less candidate.

In my example, the candidate is definitely already a candidate. The potential applies to their chance of getting the job, which is the subject of their candidacy. So, is the use of "potential" redundant and tautological?

Solution 1:

A candidate is actively seeking a position. A potential candidate would be someone unsure of whether or not to actively seek a position. They are not the same.

In your example, however, context would be needed to determine if it is redundant.

For instance, if a committee has to review applicants for eligibility (such as verifying credentials) for a position before advancing the candidate to an interview (otherwise they are rejected), then sentence makes sense to refer to them as "potential candidates" because their candidacy is in question.