Recruiting vs. Staffing — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 23, 2023
Recruiting involves attracting, interviewing, and selecting candidates for employment. Staffing is broader, encompassing the overall management of a workforce, including placement, training, and retention.
Difference Between Recruiting and Staffing
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Recruiting is typically the first phase in the hiring process, focused on attracting candidates through job postings, interviews, and assessments. Staffing, however, includes not only the recruitment process but extends to placement, scheduling, and even retaining employees.
In recruiting, the tools often used include job boards, networking events, and application tracking systems. Staffing also involves these tools but adds layers of workforce management, including skills training, performance reviews, and succession planning.
Recruiting is usually a part of the human resources function dedicated to filling open positions within an organization. Staffing, on the other hand, is a continuous activity that may include dealing with turnover, training needs, and long-term workforce planning.
While recruiting is a subset of staffing, its focus is generally more short-term, aimed at filling immediate vacancies. Staffing, by contrast, takes a more holistic, long-term view of an organization's workforce needs, considering factors like employee development and organizational growth.
Comparison Chart
Focus
Filling Immediate Vacancies
Overall Workforce Management
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Tools
Job Boards, Networking
Includes Training, Reviews
Time Frame
Short-term
Long-term
Scope
Subset of Staffing
Encompasses Recruiting
Activities
Attraction, Selection
Placement, Training, Retention
Compare with Definitions
Recruiting
Recruiting includes interviewing applicants.
The recruiting team scheduled interviews for next week.
Staffing
Staffing involves managing a workforce.
The staffing agency provided us with temporary workers.
Recruiting
Recruiting often uses job boards for posting openings.
We've been recruiting on multiple online platforms.
Staffing
Staffing takes a long-term view of workforce needs.
Staffing decisions impact the company’s long-term success.
Recruiting
Recruiting involves attracting potential candidates.
The company is recruiting engineers from top universities.
Staffing
Staffing includes training and development.
Staffing solutions should include employee development plans.
Recruiting
Recruiting is a function within human resources.
The HR department is in charge of recruiting.
Staffing
Staffing is often a continuous activity.
Staffing needs change as the business grows.
Recruiting
Recruiting aims to fill vacant positions.
Recruiting is vital to fill our urgent staffing needs.
Staffing
Staffing is the process of finding the right worker with appropriate qualifications or experience and recruiting them to fill a job position or role. Through this process, organizations acquire, deploy, and retain a workforce of sufficient quantity and quality to create positive impacts on the organization’s effectiveness.
Recruiting
To enlist (persons) in military service.
Staffing
A stick or cane carried as an aid in walking or climbing.
Recruiting
To strengthen or raise (an armed force) by enlistment.
Staffing
A stout stick used as a weapon; a cudgel.
Recruiting
To hire or enroll, or seek to hire or enroll (new employees, members, or students).
Staffing
A pole on which a flag is displayed; a flagstaff.
Recruiting
To renew or restore (health or vitality, for example).
Staffing
A rod or baton carried as a symbol of authority.
Recruiting
To enlist personnel in a military force.
Staffing
Pl. staffs A rule or similar graduated stick used for testing or measuring, as in surveying.
Recruiting
To recruit new employees, members, or students.
Staffing
A group of assistants to a manager, executive, or other person in authority.
Recruiting
A newly engaged member of a military force, especially one of the lowest rank or grade.
Staffing
A group of military officers assigned to assist a commanding officer in an executive or advisory capacity.
Recruiting
A new member of an organization.
Staffing
The personnel who carry out a specific enterprise
The nursing staff of a hospital.
Recruiting
Present participle of recruit
Staffing
Something that serves as a staple or support.
Recruiting
The process by which a person is recruited; recruitment.
Staffing
(Music) A set of horizontal lines and intermediate spaces used in notation to represent a sequence of pitches, in modern notation normally consisting of five lines and four spaces. Also called stave.
Staffing
To provide with a staff of workers or assistants.
Staffing
To serve on the staff of (an organization).
Staffing
Present participle of staff
Staffing
The practice of hiring and firing staff
Staffing
The personnel required for some project
Staffing
Staffing can involve external or internal hires.
Our staffing strategy includes both internal promotions and external hires.
Common Curiosities
What tools are commonly used in Recruiting?
Job boards, networking events, and application tracking systems are common in Recruiting.
What is the main focus of Recruiting?
Recruiting focuses on attracting and selecting candidates for immediate job openings.
What does Staffing encompass?
Staffing involves overall workforce management, including training and retention.
Is Recruiting a part of Staffing?
Yes, Recruiting is considered a subset of Staffing.
Is Recruiting more short-term?
Yes, Recruiting generally focuses on immediate hiring needs.
Is Staffing more long-term?
Yes, Staffing takes a long-term approach to workforce management.
Who usually handles Recruiting in an organization?
The human resources department often handles Recruiting.
Can Staffing involve external agencies?
Yes, external staffing agencies can be involved in Staffing.
Is Recruiting only for full-time roles?
No, Recruiting can be for full-time, part-time, or temporary roles.
What activities are involved in Staffing?
Staffing involves placement, training, scheduling, and retention activities.
What kind of jobs can Staffing cover?
Staffing can cover a range of jobs from temporary to permanent positions.
How does technology impact Recruiting?
Technology, like applicant tracking systems, streamlines the Recruiting process.
Are there specialized staffing agencies?
Yes, some staffing agencies specialize in certain industries or types of jobs.
Is networking important in Recruiting?
Yes, networking is a valuable tool in Recruiting.
Does Staffing include performance reviews?
Yes, performance reviews are typically a part of Staffing.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
