What is the difference between recruiting and recruitment?
When it comes to hiring, people often mix up "recruiting" and "recruitment." Are they really the same thing? Let's break it down.
What is Recruiting?
Recruiting refers to the action of finding and attracting potential candidates for a job. It is mostly an active process. Recruiters, often part of the HR team, work through various channels to locate candidates. They might use job boards, attend career fairs, or headhunt through networking sites.
Some common activities involved in recruiting are:
- Posting job ads.
- Reaching out to passive candidates.
- Attending job fairs or networking events.
- Using social media to find potential hires.
- Collaborating with recruitment agencies.
Recruiting is a skill that involves salesmanship, as you need to convince the best candidates that your company is the right place for them. A good recruiter knows the market and can tap into different resources to find the best talent.
What is Recruitment?
Recruitment is broader. It covers the entire process from identifying a vacancy to hiring a candidate. Think of it as a journey, while recruiting is just one of the stops.
The recruitment process typically includes:
- Identifying a need or vacancy.
- Creating a job description.
- Conducting initial screenings and interviews.
- Evaluating candidates.
- Making job offers.
- Onboarding new employees.
Recruitment also deals with strategy. For example, long-term planning and workforce management come under recruitment. It's not only about filling the current vacancy but also about future manpower planning.
Key Differences
Knowing the difference can help both candidates and HR professionals. Here are the main distinctions:
- Scope: Recruiting is just one part of the broader recruitment process.
- Activities: Recruiting focuses on attracting candidates, while recruitment involves everything from job posting to onboarding.
- Focus: Recruiting is often tactical, dealing with immediate needs, whereas recruitment is more strategic, focusing on long-term goals.
Recruiting is a subset of recruitment. Both are crucial for any company looking to grow its workforce effectively. Knowing this distinction helps you understand the steps involved in making that next great hire and ensures that your HR efforts are aligned toward the right goals.
