HR Generalist vs Recruiter
For those pursuing a career in the HR field, it may be confusing to decide what path to take with all the different job positions available. Human resources is a broad field with different job positions, including HR generalist and recruiter. While both careers offer fast-paced work environments, it all comes down to personal preferences, or more importantly, do you prefer to manage the hired employees, or help the company find the right employees for the open position?
In this article, we will compare HR generalist vs recruiter and discuss their differences and similarities.
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HR Generalist vs HR Recruiter
While both positions are related to the HR sector, there’s a noticeable difference between these two HR job positions. HR generalists deal with a variety of HR functions and are mainly responsible for managing employees, be it training and development or payroll, whereas an HR recruiter focuses only on finding candidates to fill an open position in the company.
To elaborate a bit more, an HR generalist handles many HR responsibilities, including employee relations, benefits, compliance, training, and performance management. Its role is to ensure smooth day-to-day HR operations and long-term workforce management. They do have some level of experience with recruiting, though it’s not their primary function.
An HR recruiter focuses specifically on attracting, sourcing, and hiring talent for an organization. They manage the recruitment process from identifying job needs to onboarding. That leads to the question of, can recruiter become HR generalist? While not all HR Generalists are recruiters, most HR Recruiters can advance in their career as HR Generalists.
Recruiters already possess key skills in talent acquisition, candidate assessment, and interviewing, which are the basic HR functions. However, to get into the role, recruiters would need to expand their knowledge in other areas as well. When it comes to HR generalist vs recruiter salary, they tend to differ, with the HR generalist’s salary being slightly higher.
Role and Responsibilities
HR Generalist
HR generalists handle many functions essential to the employee lifecycle, from recruitment to exit interviews. They are responsible for human resource functions, such as training, employee relations, administration, and strategic planning. They handle all HR needs for an organization, meaning that in one day, they could handle anything from employee orientation to developing policies and procedures.
Their key duties include employee relations, resolving conflicts and fostering a positive workplace, policy development, creating and updating company policies, and compliance.
They also manage training and development programs to improve employee skills and supervise compensation and benefits.
HR generalists usually work for small to medium-sized businesses with fewer employees and smaller budgets because they can handle more tasks.
Recruiter
A recruiter plays an important role in talent acquisition by managing the hiring process from start to finish. Key duties include sourcing candidates through various channels, such as job boards, social media, and networking events. Recruiters conduct interviews to assess candidate qualifications, cultural fit, and manage job postings, ensuring they reach the right audience.
Recruiters also collaborate with hiring managers to understand role requirements and align recruitment strategies. They screen resumes and extend job offers, ensuring a smooth and efficient hiring process.
Skill Sets Required
HR generalist
An HR generalist position requires a versatile skill set that covers many HR functions, such as HR skills and knowledge, recruitment, employee relations, performance and time management, and administration. Strong knowledge of labor laws, organizational development, and conflict resolution is also important. This role also requires excellent written and verbal communication, and interpersonal skills to manage employee interactions effectively.
Problem-solving abilities are also important for addressing workplace issues and ensuring compliance with company policies and legal requirements. HR generalists must be able to multitask, prioritize and have strong organizational skills as they often handle many projects at the same time.
Recruiter
A recruiter must have specialized skills in candidate sourcing, interviewing, and networking to identify and attract top talent. Expertise in using recruitment tools and platforms, such as Linkedin and applicant tracking systems (ATS), is essential for managing candidate pipelines efficiently.
Strong people, relationship-building skills, and negotiation skills are essential to securing the best outcomes for the company and the applicant. Attention to detail is important for reviewing resumes, assessing qualifications, and ensuring all hiring processes are compliant and thorough. Multitasking, listening, patience, and time management also play key roles in a recruiter’s success.
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Educational Background and Certifications
HR generalist
An HR generalist usually has a degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field. To improve their knowledge, many HR generalists want to get certifications like SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional) or HRCI’s PHR (Professional in Human Resources). These certifications demonstrate a solid understanding of HR practices, employment laws, and strategic management, making HR professionals more competitive in the job market and helping them contribute more effectively to organizational success.
Recruiter
Recruiters often have diverse educational backgrounds, including bachelor's degrees in Human Resources, Psychology, Business, or related fields. This diversity allows them to understand recruitment's human and strategic aspects.
Many recruiters pursue certifications like AIRS (Advanced Internet Recruitment Strategies) or the SHRM Talent Acquisition Specialty Credential. These certifications provide specialized knowledge in sourcing, candidate assessment, and talent acquisition strategies. With such qualifications, recruiters can effectively match candidates with the job roles perfect for their qualifications, improving the hiring process and contributing to a company’s talent strategy.
Find the Best HR Jobs With Afni
Analyzing HR generalist vs recruiter will help you decide which job position suits you more. While the HR generalist has a broad range of duties, including employee relations, administration, and strategic planning, the recruiter specializes in sourcing and hiring staff. Both positions require specific skills and education, and, of course, talent. Do not wait for your dream job; apply with Afni.
Author
Samantha Byard is the Recruitment Marketing Manager for Afni and brings a wealth of knowledge and tips for job seekers. She holds a bachelor's degree in public relations and marketing from Mount Saint Vincent University as well as a masters degree in digital marketing and advertising from Liberty University.
