What is the difference between a headhunter and an agency?

As headhunters, we often hear clients ask, aren’t headhunters just intermediaries? In terms of affiliation, headhunting does fall within the scope of intermediaries. However, the definition of intermediary is much broader, including service companies in different industries. The usual understanding is that different things or two opposite levels within the same thing play a bridge role in the connection link, and the two opposite levels are connected together through an intermediary.

Sun Yat-sen wrote in "It's Easy to Know Hard": "Words are an intermediary for teaching ideas, just like money is an intermediary for the exchange of goods. Their use is exactly the same." So, headhunting as a platform independent of the company The third party communicating with professional managers belongs to the category of intermediary.

However, there are indeed many differences between headhunting and general intermediaries.

1. First of all, the customer goals are different, which is also the most important difference. Headhunting companies only charge service fees from the company, and will not charge fees from candidates (hunting targets); but intermediaries do not. Whoever entrusts them will charge the client's service fees, and sometimes even charge fees in both directions, so The person who charges individuals must not be headhunters but intermediaries.

2. Secondly, headhunting companies are not just recommending talents. Headhunters provide companies with more consulting services such as job demand sorting, talent investigation, and communication assistance. The intermediary company does not have such services and obligations. It is the simplest introduction and matching.

3. Then the service nature of headhunters and intermediaries is different. Headhunting companies help companies solve the problem of mid-to-high-end talent needs, which is relatively difficult, so they charge corresponding service fees according to the level of the position; while agency companies generally accept tasks from grassroots employees, and recruitment is relatively difficult. Low. For example, in sales departments, headhunters are looking for top talents for positions such as sales directors and marketing directors, while intermediaries are responsible for introducing positions such as salespersons, salespersons, and merchandisers.

4. The professionalism of the two is different. The service content of a headhunting company is relatively specific, sharing research information and finding suitable talents for the company; while the service content of an agency company is many, As long as it is a demand put forward by the customer, they will accept it, from renting out a house to finding a part-time job.

5. The last point is that the resource circles maintained are different. Headhunters maintain the top professionals in various industries; while intermediary companies not only accept labor dispatch tasks from enterprises, but also accept individual job search tasks. Tasks, relatively speaking, the resources they contact and maintain are ordinary job seekers.

A brief distinction between a headhunting company and an intermediary company will also give everyone a clearer understanding of the main service content of a headhunting company. You can choose whether to find a headhunting company or an intermediary according to your own circumstances. company.

So, headhunters are intermediaries, but they are not ordinary intermediaries. They are single-minded, professional, dedicated, and oriented to the needs of the enterprise. They provide suitable talents for the enterprise, solve the company's problems, and realize the role of talents in the company. personal value.