What is the exact definition of Lateral Hiring? Hiring till which level or experience range does it encompass?

Hi All, What is the exact definition of Lateral Hiring? Hiring till which level or experience range does it encompass?
This is a very common term in Recruitments. But when suddenly asked about it in detail I got confused. Please help me out with your views.
Thanks & Regards.

Hi Deepa,
I came across a very simple definition of Lateral Hiring - "professionals with several years of experience who move to a new company and assume a job at level similar to the one they left".

It depends upon the flexibility of Job Description. If a candidate with non-relevant experience can fit into the position, then no issues.
Most of the companies follow lateral hiring to maintain the standards.

Dear cite.hr
I would highly appreciate if you could more elaborate the topic, " Lateral Hiring".
Still I am not cleared with my doubts.
Thanks in anticipation.

Lateral Hiring is mostly done for the higher level positions. It is like acquiring talent from the other firms like partners & associates with similar experiences or expertise in the relevant areas related to the business we run.
I am still trying to get more and exact definition of Lateral Hiring! Will Post it whenever I come across.
Regards,
Cite.hr

Lateral placements means when a company recruits someone on levels above the entry level (or the level being offered to people with no work experience) - owing to the work experience of the person.
For example - a company X hires students from XYZ MBA college at the level of Assistant Manager (for no work ex). However it offers a post of Manager to a student with a work of say 3 years. This will be called lateral placement in recruitment.
Hope this would be useful.

Thanks Mahesh...
But which definition is correct - Lateral hiring is for "higher level positions" or "levels above the entry level". There has been a confusion between recruiters of different industries. Please clarify. Cite.hr your views please.

Hai
lateral recruitment, it means we are recruiting a person who has almost the same kind of designation / role / responsibilities as that you are offering him without any additional or only notional increase in his salary.
Mostly, lateral recruitment would mean a movement at the same level of hierarchy with similar role / responsibilities and with no hike but to a different department / section of the same company.

and this type of recruitment process is generally practiced at higher levels in the organization

But how a person would be moved to another department / section of the same company?
switching to another department I believe it means switching to another profile?
Please make me clear..