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Hiring Managers Vs. Recruiters

Hiring Managers vs. Recruiters: An Unmatchable Duo

Published on November 30th, 2022

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What is the fuss about?

Hiring is a risky business. Although it may not appear that way to the casual observer, hiring is the most tricky but highly rewarding activity in the business world. Finding and keeping competent staff is a primary priority for most businesses now more than ever. However, you will want the assistance of two important parties: hiring managers and recruiters, to attract, screen, hire, and onboard talent.

So why all the fuss about the hiring manager against the recruiter when a successful team effort is needed for a high-stakes operation?

Finding outstanding candidates as soon as possible is a common objective for both hiring managers and recruiters. And when a new hire proves to be an effective worker, both the recruiter and hiring manager congratulate themselves on a job well done.

On the other hand, a poor hire prompts inquiries as to who was actually in charge of making the decision to choose such a candidate. Whose recruitment strategies need to be improved for the future? Recruiters and hiring managers frequently have a tense working relationship because recruiters may find it difficult to live up to the high standards that hiring managers have for their selection of applicants and hiring managers find the quality of shortlisted candidates below average. 

However, if hiring managers and recruiters decide to join hands and take recruitment up as a team, they can form an unmatchable duo that can attract and retain top talent in their organization. 

Hiring Managers vs Recruiters

AspectHiring ManagersRecruiters
Responsibility
  • Make final hiring decisions
  • Define job requirements and qualifications
  • Conduct initial stages of the hiring process
  • Actively source and engage candidates
PerspectiveTeam and department-specific focusBroader industry and market perspective
Relationships
  • Build relationships within the team
  • Concerned with team success
  • Build relationships with candidates
  • Act as a liaison between candidates and company
Decision-Making
  • Final decision on hiring
  • Evaluate candidates for team fit
  • Provide insights and recommendations
  • Do not make the final hiring decision
Focus
  • Team-specific goals and success
  • Fulfilling specific team needs
  • Entire recruitment process
  • Work on multiple job openings concurrently
Involvement in ProcessInvolved in defining job requirements, interviewing, and hiring decisionsActive in sourcing, screening, and engaging candidates
Long-Term PerspectiveConcerned with team growth and successBuilding a talent pipeline for future needs
ExpertiseDeep knowledge of team dynamics and specific job requirementsBroad understanding of industry trends, market conditions, and candidate profiles
CollaborationCollaborate with recruiters for sourcing and candidate evaluationCollaborate with hiring managers for defining job requirements and team fit

Responsibilities of a Hiring Manager

A hiring manager is a manager hiring for an open position on his or her team.   A hiring manager would be, for instance, a director of sales looking for an account executive who will directly report to them. In general, hiring managers are in charge of defining and mapping out the job role. It is his or her obligation to determine the skills and qualities a new recruit needs, the tasks they will own, and the larger-picture goals and milestones they will work toward.

Before the hiring process begins, a hiring manager would typically share this information with a recruiter and may even write or request that the recruiter write a job description. Although the hiring manager will probably examine resumes and interview the most qualified prospects, the recruiter sources candidates. The hiring manager generally makes the final decision on whether to hire an applicant, even though other employees may be included in the interview process.

The hiring manager is accountable for the following duties:

  • identifying the demands of the vacant post
  • obtaining financial and hiring permission
  • creating the job description
  • managing the hiring team and process
  • scheduling candidate interviews
  • deciding on a final hiring choice

Responsibilities of a Recruiter

Although a hiring manager actively participates in the hiring process, it is typically not their full-time job. Whether a hiring manager works in finance, customer service, sales, IT, or human resources, their main responsibility is to use their area of expertise to benefit the business. 

On the other side, recruiters spend their days trying to find, attract, and hire excellent people. This could entail activities like looking for and getting in touch with qualified people, reading resumes, running phone screenings, setting up interviews, and more.

While recruiters are in charge of the hiring procedure as a whole, hiring managers are accountable for people, which includes evaluating and managing hired prospects.

The following are some of the duties a recruiter will have:

  • Identify and recruit candidates for available roles
  • Advertise the position.
  • Review resumes
  • Conduct interviews
  • Screen the best candidates
  • Negotiate offers

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How can they work together as a team?

Here are a few tips that a hiring manager and recruiter can follow to work together as a team and bring aboard the best talent for their organization.

Iron out the Priorities

The first meeting, frequently referred to as an "intake," between a recruiter and hiring manager establishes the parameters for the search and launches the hiring process. Hiring managers should outline their team's mission and the position the candidate will play within it, as well as the credentials and experience they are looking for in candidates. Limiting the search criteria offers recruiters a place to start and the background information they need to properly connect with applicants. In return, recruiters can aid in establishing a timetable and outlining the overall recruiting plan.

Even though you might believe skipping an intake session will save time, it might not: leading your recruiter on a fruitless search, it might instead lengthen the time it takes for your business to find new employees.

Collaborate as a Team

As with any other business project, recruiting needs to be given the utmost priority. Because your business would not exist without your employees, recruiting must be a key component of your business plan. By letting your network and company teams know about the hiring requirements, encourage the recruiter and hiring manager to expand their network.

Whether you choose to hire the candidate or not, every conversation you have with a candidate is an opportunity to promote your business. Recruiters and recruiting managers should always present themselves as salespeople. A candidate might have recommendations or even later become a client. Companies that can effectively market their culture with available opportunities create the finest teams.

Keep Communication a Priority

Holding post-interview debriefs over the phone, Skype, or in person is a terrific method for recruiters and hiring managers to stay in touch with the applicant and be more productive and efficient. Regular communication like this will help hiring managers and recruiters remain on top of market difficulties, candidate expectations, and rivals. On the other hand, arranging interviews, making hiring decisions, and onboarding may be delayed if feedback is delayed or nonexistent.

Regular communication is necessary for transparent discussions, extending offers, setting clear expectations for the next steps, and delivering prompt feedback, as well as for onboarding. It's crucial to provide a nice interview experience, even if you don't hire a candidate in the end.

Wrapping Up

Follow the tips above if you're having trouble communicating successfully with your hiring managers or recruiters. You may build a positive working relationship with your coworker and advance the company together with a little more work and the appropriate resources in place.

Sometimes the breakdown in their connection is not the hiring manager's or recruiters' fault. Instead, it is the outcome of the organization's poorly thought-out hiring procedure.

The firm must establish a solid basis from the beginning. Give hiring managers and recruiters the tools they need to establish a relationship of trust.
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Authors

author

Radhika Sarraf

Radhika Sarraf is a content specialist and a woman of many passions who currently works at HireQuotient, a leading recruitment SaaS company. She is a versatile writer with experience in creating compelling articles, blogs, social media posts, and marketing collaterals.

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