What is the process of locating prospective staff called?

The process of locating prospective staff is referred to as recruitment. Recruitment involves identifying, attracting, and selecting candidates for employment positions within an organization. It encompasses various activities such as advertising job openings, searching for qualified candidates, and screening applications. Effective recruitment ensures that an organization has access to a pool of talented individuals who possess the necessary skills and qualifications for the roles they aim to fill.

In contrast, onboarding is the process that follows recruitment, where newly hired employees are integrated into the company and trained for their specific roles. Assessment typically involves evaluating candidates' skills and fit for the position, often occurring after recruitment has brought candidates to the interview stage. Evaluation refers to the review of an employee’s performance or assessing the effectiveness of various processes within the organization, which does not directly pertain to the initial sourcing of prospective staff. Each of these terms plays a distinct role in the overall hiring and employment process, but recruitment specifically focuses on attracting and selecting new personnel.