Talent Acquisition and Human Resource Management (HR) are often said interchangeably and are related functions but have unique focuses and responsibilities. This blog will explore what these terms mean and how they are different. 

1. What is Talent Acquisition? 

Talent Acquisition focuses on identifying, sourcing, attracting, and hiring candidates for open positions. It primarily deals with the initial stages of bringing new talent into the company. Talent Acquisition is one of the first lines of defence, which can fast-track your growth or set you back depending on who is hired into the company. Talent Acquisition can be done internally or outsourced to a staffing agency (learn more about what is a staffing agency). Staffing agencies can help you find contract staff or direct hires based on your needs. 

• Contract staffing is a strategic workforce solution that allows you to hire skilled professionals for a specific duration, project, or role. It provides access to specialized talent without the complexities or commitments of full-time employment. Additionally, it makes it a cost-effective and efficient way to address short-term demands, fill skill gaps, and manage projects.
• Direct hire placement is a recruitment approach where we source and select candidates for permanent positions within your company. In this process, we identify, evaluate, and present qualified candidates to you, and then you choose to hire them as full-time employees. This method is ideal for businesses seeking long-term team members.

2. What is HR? 

HR is a broader function that covers areas such as employee relations, benefits administration, payroll, performance management, training and development, employee engagement, and more. HR makes sure that everyone follows the rules and laws related to work. This team is like a support system for employees. When there are strong HR practices, they keep employee satisfaction high and the brand image positive. According to McKinsey, organizations in which HR facilitates a positive employee experience are 1.3 times more likely to report organizational outperformance. 

3. Key Differences

What They Do

Talent Acquisition handles workforce planning and sourcing candidates with the right experience and skillset. They act as head hunters finding and hiring only the best. Whereas HR takes care of existing employees in the company throughout their lifecycle, acting as nurturers. 

When They’re Required

Talent Acquisition is required when the company has a job vacancy and needs to hire new people. HR is required when employees need to be developed and managed. Nonetheless, this can be an overwhelming ask if you’re a small business and may not have the resources to have an internal Talent Acquisition and HR team. Pro tip: this is where outsourcing these operations becomes a great option, as it’s fast, reliable, easy and affordable.

How They Measure Success

Talent Acquisition measures success by who they hire and how impactful that new employee is. On the other hand, HR looks at employee satisfaction, development and commitment to the company. 

4. Who Should You Contact? 

If your company is looking for new hires and wants to explore their options, then contact a Talent Acquisition Specialist. They know how to search for individuals with the skillset your company requires. According to Deloitte, 69% of companies rate talent acquisition as a top priority for their organizations.  

Whereas, if you need help with workforce solutions, things like managing pay, employee benefits, or addressing any concerns, Human Resource Managers are the experts to consult. They create a positive work environment and handle employee relations. Companies that embrace HR best practices see better morale, improved productivity, and increased employee retention. According to Oxford University, contented employees exhibit a 13% boost in productivity compared to their less satisfied counterparts, resulting in a greater output of high-quality work. 

5. Option for Outsourcing

If you’re looking for a Talent Acquisition specialist to partner with then consider Talentoasis. Imagine a Talent Acquisition Specialist with workforce solutions of an HR provider, that’s us.

We use a proprietary candidate assessment that predicts the right candidate to hire with 92% accuracy. How? Read our case study here. Additionally, what makes us different from other staffing agencies is that we solve the problems that are roadblocks in attracting and retaining top talent (click here to learn more). If you want to learn more or are browsing around for a staffing agency and like the idea of making decisions using logic and research, then contact us.

Conclusion 

Though interconnected, Talent Acquisition and HR bring distinct strengths to the table. Talent Acquisition sources candidates, while HR takes care of everyone who is already there.