Both (talent acquisition and recruitment) are very confusing terms.
You may think both are the same, just two different names. But this is not the case, dear.
No doubt, the terms talent acquisition, and recruitment are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle distinction between the two.
Not only this.
At the time you're starting a business, it can be challenging to decide which strategies you should focus on when hiring new employees: Talent acquisition strategies or recruitment strategies? While both are important, they have different goals and objectives.
So, let's look at the difference between the two terms (talent acquisition vs. recruitment) and see which is best for your business?
Table of contents
What is talent acquisition
Talent acquisition generally refers to the proactive process of finding and acquiring top talent.
In other words, it is the process of finding, attracting, hiring, growing, and retraining the best talent (skilled workers) for a company. It's different from recruitment.
No reader will disagree with me that a talented workforce can make a company successful.
On the other hand, those talented individuals don't usually come knocking on your door; you have to find them.
Who doesn't want to see a better-performing company?
Everyone.
Who doesn't want to see outperforming the company's competitors?
Everyone.
If you want so, you need to adopt talent acquisition strategies.
There is no alternative way. Believe me.
And by this time you have understood what is talent acquisition. What do you say?
What is talent recruitment
Identifying, evaluating, and appointing qualified candidates for open positions inside an organization is known as recruitment.
It includes advertising the job vacancy, shortlisting candidates, conducting interviews and checking references, and finally, making the offer of employment.
Recruitment can be done in-house or by a third-party agency. The main recruitment methods are advertising, employee referrals, networking, and headhunting. For recruitment a good recruitment strategy is important.
Talent acquisition vs recruitment: Which Is Better for You?
Talent acquisition develops a talent pipeline. On the other hand, recruitment focuses on filling an open position. Please take a look below:
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Talent acquisition: To handle future workforce needs, use long-term strategies to identify and develop talent pipelines.
Recruitment: Mainly involved with filling the vacant positions in the near term.
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Talent acquisition: It can be used in any sector or role, but it is especially advantageous in industries with skill gaps.
Recruitment: It can be utilized in any sector (industry) or position.
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Talent acquisition: It includes recruitment. It's an umbrella concept.
Recruitment: It's a subcategory of talent acquisition.
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Talent acquisition is proactive and strategic.
Recruitment: It is a reactive process.
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Talent acquisition is a continuous process.
Recruitment: It has a specific endpoint.
Now, which is better for you- talent acquisition or recruitment? I think you have already got the answer from the above-discussed differences.
If your business is in an industry with skill gaps or talent shortages, you need to go for a talent acquisition approach.
But it does not mean you can't find proactively talented people for your business in any other cases.
You can fill the vacant post by applying the recruitment strategy if your business is in an industry with no talent shortage.
There is no specific rule, in fact, but from this discussion, you will get an essence of which strategy is right for you before hiring.
Good luck.
Benefits of talent acquisition
- Having a good talent acquisition plan allows businesses to attract the best and sharpest employees on the market, which helps them improve their business performance and results.
- It saves time & money.
- It (talent acquisition) provides a competitive advantage.
Conclusion
If your company is in an industry with sophisticated, new, or difficult-to-fill roles, you'll need to hire a talent acquisition specialist.
Talent acquisition aims to avoid the difficulty in acquiring talent that many businesses face.
Final words: Recruitment and talent acquisition are two sides of the same coin.