HR vs. Recruiter vs. Hiring Manager – what’s the difference?
Super confusing, right?! Ok, here’s the breakdown: “HR” (or human resources) can describe lots of different functions, like Recruiting, Compensation, Employee Relations, Benefits Administration, etc. Large companies typically have specialists in each of these areas & they are all independent jobs (and are often separate departments). Small & medium companies can have one person handling all of them OR they can have different people covering one (or many) different functions.
“Recruiters” typically manage the hiring process, which usually includes company branding, posting open jobs, reviewing resumes, interviewing, offer negotiation, and (sometimes) on-boarding.
“Hiring Manager” describes anyone in the company who needs to hire, which means someone can be all 3! If the HR Manager is also managing the recruiting process to find an employee to work FOR THEMSELVES, then s/he is all 3.
What does this mean for you? It means that it doesn’t matter what the person’s title is. You should engage with the person who contacts you for the interview as though s/he is the most important person you’ll speak to. Because that’s the truth.
This contact should be able to differentiate who-is-responsible-for what. And during your interview, you should ask about the interview process, the team, management and/or organizational structure, and make sure to ask how you should follow up. Regardless of title or department, focus on how you can impress everyone you meet. IT’S YOUR TIME TO SHINE!
So which one has the final decision on who get's hired? I've gone on interviews where I spoken to three or more different people from the initial phone interview, face to face, and panel. All who all claimed to have Loved me and thought I’d make a great fit but I still got a rejection notice. The lack of transparency in all this is overwhelming.
Hello, Question? Which one of these should I ask for when I cold call companies to follow up on my application? I keep getting the run around whenever I try to push my application information forward.
Fantastic point, everyone you talk with in that company is the possible key to a person getting hired. Many times they will at least have input with that decision maker...
So which one has the final decision on who get's hired? I've gone on interviews where I spoken to three or more different people from the initial phone interview, face to face, and panel. All who all claimed to have Loved me and thought I’d make a great fit but I still got a rejection notice. The lack of transparency in all this is overwhelming.