Talent acquisition (TA) is the process of strategically sourcing, screening, and selecting highly qualified candidates who align with an organization's core values. It empowers companies to hire talented individuals who will commit themselves to the organization's mission and feel inspired to help it thrive.
An internal TA team can be responsible for most of the tasks related to hiring candidates to meet company goals and project requirements. Another option is to outsource talent acquisition to a recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) provider. A good RPO provider can bring expertise and experience to the table, freeing up internal TA teams to focus on other business objectives.
Unlike recruitment, which concentrates on short-term hiring needs, talent acquisition aims to achieve longer-term solutions. It's a more strategic approach to hire value-aligned talent rather than simply fill roles. If candidates align with a company's values, they are more likely to feel a sense of purpose at work and, in turn, are inclined to stay with an organization long-term.
Consider that over two-thirds of employees form their sense of purpose from the work they do. Over 90% would recommend a company to a friend if it inspires a sense of purpose.
Talent acquisition recognizes the importance of addressing and integrating candidate needs in the hiring process — like appealing to a feeling of purpose — to attract the best and brightest.
A talent acquisition strategy offers many advantages for organizations.
Strategic TA not only fills immediate needs, but also aligns with long-term organizational goals. By finding the candidates with the right skills, companies can build high-performing teams that propel the business forward. An effective TA strategy can ensure that organizations attract and retain the best talent to fuel innovation, enhance productivity, and maintain a competitive edge.
Proactively addressing retention is a vital part of talent acquisition. A dedicated TA team will ensure they're attracting candidates who will enjoy being part of an organization and want to see it thrive.
Integrating retention into the TA stage typically involves diving into an organization's culture and values, conducting market research to adopt new values, and revising the employer brand. Revamping an employer brand can ensure it reflects the company's most appealing values and resonates with job seekers.
TA aims to ensure an organization's workforce needs are met year-round. This involves identifying current skills gaps as well as predicting future needs. A TA team may focus on building a strong, pre-vetted talent pipeline to fill roles quickly during peak hiring periods.
With effective workforce planning, businesses are well-prepared to handle fluctuations and don't need to rely on staffing agencies for temporary solutions.
In general, talent acquisition involves the following steps:
Talent acquisition can facilitate business growth if its strategies are backed by market research and align with an organization's values. However, TA can also be time-consuming and challenging in a highly competitive, rapidly evolving labor market.
If your organization needs assistance sourcing qualified candidates or reducing turnover, consider outsourcing your hiring process to talent acquisition experts — like Hueman RPO. As an experienced RPO provider that offers tailored talent acquisition services, we'll help your company secure highly qualified, value-aligned candidates faster.
Contact us today to launch a dynamic talent acquisition partnership.
To learn about interview strategies beyond the standard and how they can help you choose the ideal candidate, check out our ebook: How to Find the Right Cultural Fit for Your Company.