Are Staffing and Recruiting the Same? Understand the Key Differences for Better Hiring

Learn the key differences between staffing and recruiting so you can choose the best approach for your next hire.

May 05, 2025

Post by Wilma Ivanisevic

Hiring the right people is one of the most important parts of running a business. You’ve probably heard the words “staffing” and “recruiting” before. But it’s not always clear what they mean or how they’re different. Are they the same thing? Not quite. In this article, we’ll explain what staffing and recruiting actually mean. You’ll see how they’re different and how that can help you hire the right people for your team.

Understanding Staffing and Recruiting

Let’s start with a quick look at what staffing and recruiting mean. They each have their own purpose in hiring. We’ll also go over the main ways they are different.

Definition of Staffing

Staffing is a fast and flexible way to find help when you need it. Companies often use it to fill gaps quickly, like when someone is sick or during busy times. It’s also useful for short-term projects that need extra hands. The jobs are usually temporary, part-time, or on a contract. Sometimes they turn into permanent roles, but that’s not always the plan. Staffing agencies are the go-to partners for this kind of hiring. They keep a ready list of workers who can step in on short notice. When a company needs help, the agency matches the right person to the job and takes care of the rest—contracts, pay, legal paperwork, everything. The worker shows up and gets the job done, but the agency remains their official employer. For companies, this means getting help fast, without dealing with the full hiring process or added admin.

Definition of Recruiting

Recruiting is more focused. Recruiting is about finding the right person for one specific job. The goal is to hire someone with the right skills who also fits well with the team. Companies want someone who will stay, grow, and be part of the company long-term. The recruiting process takes more time and goes deeper. It starts with understanding exactly what the role needs. Recruiters take care of many steps in the hiring process. They write job ads, look for candidates, review resumes, hold interviews, and check references. Companies may entrust their own teams to do that or hire an outside agency. But no matter how it’s done, the goal is to hire someone who will join the company directly.

Key Differences Between Staffing and Recruiting

Scope and focus:Staffing is used to fill many types of roles quickly. These roles can be in different departments or projects. It’s more about coverage than long-term fit. Recruiting is much more targeted. It’s about one role, one great match, and building for the future.
Duration of engagement:Staffing is mostly used for short-term or flexible jobs. These roles might last a few days, a few weeks, or a couple of months. On the other hand, recruiting is about hiring someone for a long-term role. This is true whether they can stay and grow with the company or not.
Types of positions filled:Staffing is often used to fill support jobs like admin roles, seasonal work, or customer service. These positions are important, but usually don’t need special training. Recruiting is used for jobs that need specific skills or experience. These roles often require training or a certain background. You’ll find them in areas like finance, tech, HR, and other specialized fields.
Relationship with candidates and clients:In staffing, the agency is the employer. The company gets the help, but the worker stays on the agency’s books. In recruiting, the company hires the person directly and builds a relationship from day one. It’s more personal, more involved, and more about the long term.

In summary, if you need extra hands quickly, staffing is the right way to find them. On the other hand, if you’re looking for someone to grow with your team, recruiting is a better path.