contestant

A contestant is someone who takes part in a competition or contest, like a TV game show or a sports tournament. It can also refer to an applicant for something, like a job or a scholarship.

Think about it this way: when you enter a competition, you're trying to win against others, so you're competing. But if you apply for a job and get selected, that's still a kind of competition - between you and other applicants. In both cases, you're vying for something, whether it's a prize or a spot in an organization.