Recruitment vs. Selection: Can You Explain the Key Differences?

Dear Members,

I want to know the exact difference between recruitment and selection. Please help me in this regard.

Regards,
Charles P.

Hi Charles,

Recruitment and Selection are two interrelated functions but yet different. Recruitment comes first and is followed by Selection. Recruitment is a positive process while Selection is a negative process. Recruitment involves calling a large pool of candidates while Selection involves choosing the suitable candidate. These are the major differences that I know.

Regards,
Srishti

Hi CHARLES P.,

The points of difference betweent he two given by Srishti is correct, to have a better understanding the details are as follows:

RECRUITMENT

Recruitment refers to the process of finding possible candidates for a job or function, undertaken by recruiters. It may be undertaken by an employment agency or a member of staff at the business or organization looking for recruits. Advertising is commonly part of the recruiting process, and can occur through several means: through newspapers, using newspaper dedicated to job advertisement, through professional publication, using advertisements placed in windows, through a job center, through campus interviews, etc.

Suitability for a job is typically assessed by looking for skills, e.g. communication skills, typing skills, computer skills. Evidence for skills required for a job may be provided in the form of qualifications (educational or professional), experience in a job requiring the relevant skills or the testimony of references. Employment agencies may also give computerized tests to assess an individual's "off-hand" knowledge of software packages or typing skills. At a more basic level written tests may be given to assess numeracy and literacy. A candidate may also be assessed on the basis of an interview. Sometimes candidates will be requested to provide a résumé (also known as a CV) or to complete an application form to provide this evidence.

SELECTION

Selection is the process used to identify and hire individuals or groups of individuals to fill vacancies within an organization. Often based on an initial job analysis, the ultimate goal of personnel selection is to ensure an adequate return on investment--in other words, to make sure the productivity of the new hire warrants the costs spent on recruiting and training that hire.

Several screening methods exist that may be used in personnel selection. Examples include the use of minimum or desired qualifications, resume/application review, oral interviews, work performance measures (e.g., writing samples), and traditional tests (e.g., of job knowledge).

The field of personnel selection has a long history and is associated with several fields of research and application, including human resources and industrial psychology.

Hope this will help you in understanding the difference between Selection and Recruitment.

Cheers

Archna

Hi, my name is Chand. I am doing a project on Recruitment and Selection in A.P. Tourism. I want to know what are the techniques recently used by HR managers to select clients and name some processes.

Hi Charles, to make a long story short, from the points discussed by Shrishti and Archana, recruiting comes after selection. For example, a company needs 10 new people in the procurement department. The company may call people for interviews, out of 25 candidates, they select the 15 best candidates who qualify for the position. Now, that is selection. Out of the 15, as they only want 10 candidates, they will recruit the 10 best candidates who will suit their requirements perfectly.

For your further guidance, check out the link below: http://open.ac.uk <link updated to site home>.

Comment if you like my post! Cheers for this and enjoy!

Hi Charles,

Recruitment and selection may be termed as the backbone of an effective and productive Human Capital for any organization. There are wide differences of opinion on whether Recruitment and Selection are one and the same or different processes. Recruitment is the process of finding potential candidates for a job, while Selection is the process of choosing the right person for the right job.

When there is a job opening, the process typically involves two main steps:

Step 1 - Recruitment
- Publish ads to inform others about job openings.
- Invite applications from various sources such as consultants, referrals, online portals, etc.
- Screen resumes.
- Filter candidates who may be suitable for that particular job.

Step 2 - Selection
- Conduct interviews.
- Perform reference checks.
- Select the best candidate from the pool.

If anyone feels that I have made a mistake, please do let me know.

Regards,
Vasanth
99401 58323

Recruitment and Selection

Recruitment involves defining specifications, including job specifications and person specifications. Selection includes selecting candidates through processes such as interviewing, communicating, and making offers.

Hi all!

I would like to point out one thing here. HR, don't you think screening resumes and filtering candidates is a part of selection rather than recruitment? Correct me if I am wrong.

Good evening,

Recruitment is the procedure of inducing more and more suitable candidates for the required job.

Selection, on the other hand, is the procedure of selecting the best suitable candidate from among the induced candidates for that particular job.

Respects & Regards,
Hansjeet

I agree with the point of Hansjeet. Recruitment is the process of attracting candidates for the vacant position with the required qualifications, whereas selection is the process of identifying and placing the best or right candidate who fits the job.

In short:

RECRUITMENT ➔ engaging with more candidates

SELECTION ➔ screening the candidates and reducing them to choose the best candidate/candidates for the job.

Correct me if I am wrong and encourage me if I am right. Have a good day to you all.

Recruitment is a process to select the candidate from the pool of applicants, and selection is the process of placing the right person in the right job.

Hi,

Recruitment is a positive aspect where you will call more candidates to attend the interview process. However, in the selection process, the negative part is that you will select only a few candidates out of the pool of applicants.

Dear Charles,

Recruitment is the process of searching for candidates for employment and encouraging them to apply for jobs within the organization.

Selection involves a series of steps through which candidates are screened to choose the most suitable individuals for vacant positions.

Best regards,
Mahesh

Hi! Good morning.

Recruitment is the process of discovering potential candidates, whereas selection is choosing the best from the discovered ones. The selection process is the tail of the recruitment process, i.e., both are interdependent.

Priyanka

Hope the attached file will help you get information on the difference between recruitment and selection.

According to Mamoria, "Recruiting is the discovery of potential applicants for actual or anticipated organizational vacancies." Thus, recruitment is the generation of applications or applicants for specific positions. It is an activity wherein bringing together those with jobs and those seeking jobs. Recruitment is, therefore, the process of searching for prospective workers and stimulating them to apply for jobs in the organization.

Selection Process

Selection is an attempt made to find a suitable candidate for the job. By doing so, naturally, many applicants are rejected. This makes selection a negative function and recruitment a positive function.

Regards

Understanding Recruitment and Selection

Recruitment involves attracting candidates for a process, while selection entails choosing candidates from those who have been recruited. These terms are interrelated.

Regards,

Demarcation Between Recruitment and Selection

It is observed that an MNC is collecting all sorts of information on the date of the interview. Once the interview is cracked, the HR immediately asks for documents from successful candidates. The HR has no intention of selecting all successful candidates but will shortlist among those candidates after the HR rounds (or may not select anyone based on the urgency of the requirement).

My query is, even before issuing the offer letter, is the company 'legally authorized' to collect copies of documents like PAN Card, Passport, ITR, Salary Breakup/Slips, Previous Company's Appointment/Appraisal Letter, Education Certificates, Form-16, Organization ID, and more importantly, the 'Information Release Form' that authorizes the company to conduct verification on me without me yet being a part of the company? There are many other less intimidating personal pieces of information like marital status, phone numbers of families/references, address, etc.

I would like to emphasize again that the info is collected without an offer and purely on a 'candidacy' basis just after the interview process.

I believe it is not ethical to database the personal information of people who are not part of the company. However, I am interested in the legality of it.

NICE EXPLANATION. THANKS

I totally agree with your question. I personally feel that recruiters know that the demand is more than the supply. That is why they act in this manner, but there is no law to stop this.

Understanding Recruitment and Selection

Recruitment involves getting to know (gathering) the pool of available candidates. Selection entails choosing the best from the available candidates.

Hi Charles, this is Trinadh. Actually, what our HR family members said is absolutely correct. I will also explain the meaning of Recruitment and Selection in a single line, which I believe will be helpful for you to understand. Please see as follows:

RECRUITMENT:

Recruitment means searching for candidates and encouraging them to apply for the job.

SELECTION:

Selection means choosing candidates based on their skills, knowledge, qualifications, physical appearance, and other unique qualities relevant to the job.

My dear seniors, if I make any mistakes, please excuse me and provide the correct answers. If my post is correct, please appreciate me because I am a fresher who has recently joined as an HR.

Regards,
Trinadh

Recruitment
Recruitment is the activity of establishing contact between employers and applicants. It encourages a large number of candidates for a job and is a simple process where candidates do not have to overcome many hurdles. It is a positive approach that precedes selection and is considered an economical method as it requires less time.

Selection
Selection is the process of picking up more competent and suitable employees. It aims at rejecting unsuitable candidates and is a complicated process where many hurdles have to be crossed. It is a negative approach that follows recruitment and is considered an expensive method as it requires more time.