Talent Acquisition vs. Recruitment - What's the Difference?

1. Talent Acquisition vs. Recruitment – What’s the Difference? Talent acquisition and recruitment are often used interchangeably. They certainly do not mean the same thing. While recruitment is a “tactical” process, “talent acquisition” is more of a strategic process. Before the hiring starts, it is critical for companies to determine which of the two approaches best suits their operational dynamics. Whether you turn to an agency for recruitment or hire an in-house team, identifying the right methodology is essential to acquire the right talent. Definitions Talent Acquisition Talent acquisition is a strategic approach to identify, attract, engage and ultimately hire the right talent for the right role, at the right time, to proactively fulfill the company’s outcome. Recruitment Recruitment is a linear process that focuses on finding a candidate to fill a specific position. This is a reactive process, which starts when a position is vacated, or a new position is created.

2. Differentiating Talent Recruitment from Acquisition Talent acquisition focuses on building relationships, predicting the future hiring needs of a company and finding the right candidates for those roles. The approach is fairly different from recruitment in many ways. Planning and Strategy Talent acquisition is a forward-thinking approach where the recruiter needs to look deeper into the objectives of the company and understand the future workplace expectations of the candidate. The person responsible for talent acquisition needs to be involved more in planning and strategy creation. Segmenting the Workforce A talent acquisition specialist needs to have a deep understanding of the different work segments and positions in those segments. Better the understanding of skills, experience, and competency required for each position, higher the chances of hiring the right candidate. Branding Branding plays a key role in talent acquisition. A company with a positive image will have a better reputation in the market. This will help in attracting top candidates. Since talent acquisition is a long-term process, a company needs to put in consistent effort to maintain its brand value. Final Words Bringing the right talent on board is a recurring process, and companies who are serious about long-term plans need to work on building their networks and relationships with professionals who have a strong acumen in the industry. The HR team plays a critical role in a company’s success, and it is their duty to identify the top performers while working towards making the company a better place to work. Whether it is talent acquisition or recruitment, having a proper strategy ultimately helps in improving the quality of your workforce.