What Is the Difference Between Recruiting and HR?

HR:  The HR department manages the overall employee lifecycle, from recruitment to retirement. Their responsibilities encompass a wide range including:

Talent management (performance management, training & development)

Compensation & benefits administration

Employee relations & conflict resolution

Workplace safety & compliance

Employer branding & company culture

Recruiting:  The recruiting team focuses on attracting and selecting qualified candidates to fill open positions within the organization. Their key tasks involve:

Job posting & advertising

Sourcing & screening candidates

Conducting interviews and assessments

Making hiring recommendations

Think of HR as the gardener who cultivates the entire company garden (the workforce). They plant the seeds (recruiting), nurture the plants (training & development), ensure a healthy environment (workplace safety & culture), and harvest the fruits (employee contributions).

Recruiting is a stage within the larger HR function. Recruiters collaborate with HR to understand the specific needs of the open position and the company culture. HR might also be involved in the later stages of the recruitment process, such as onboarding new hires or providing legal guidance during the selection process.