Today’s guest blogger is Parvathy Krishnan of Cucumber Consultants in Hyderabad, India. Cucumber Consultants has core expertise in executive recruitment, with a focus on placing C-suite executives such as CFOs and other senior leadership roles across diverse industries. Parvathy is currently serving on the NPAworldwide Board of Directors. Here, she discusses the key differences between recruitment and talent acquisition.
Come September 2025, my firm turns 25 :-). Silver Anniversaries do something to one. I’ve found myself reflecting on how much the recruitment landscape has evolved and how some things are still misunderstood.
As we all know, terminologies have changed over the years, and many new ones have come into usage. Some words/ideas have been used interchangeably so much so that the real meaning is often not realised!
One such is the idea that recruitment and talent acquisition are the same.
They’re not. And knowing the difference is more important than ever, for both clients and candidates.
Recruitment is all about today; Talent acquisition is about tomorrow.
Recruitment is typically reactive. A role opens up, and the goal is to fill it quickly with the best available candidate. Of course it’s essential! But it’s just one part of a larger talent conversation within an organisation.
Talent acquisition, on the other hand, is strategic. It’s about planning for the future. It’s all about anticipating business needs, identifying the right capabilities, building a talent pipeline, and investing in employer branding and retention and identifying the right partners who’d be with you for the long haul.
It’s not just about hiring. It’s about building teams, organisations.
Why clients should care
If you’re leading a team or a company, recognizing this difference helps you choose the right approach and partner. Recruitment solves an immediate need. Talent acquisition helps you align your people strategy with your business goals.
In my 25 years in the industry, I’ve seen firsthand how organizations that treat talent acquisition as a strategic priority tend to attract stronger candidates, reduce people turnover, and scale more effectively.
What this means for candidates
For professionals navigating their careers, this distinction matters too. Do your research to know more about the companies that you may wish to work for. Companies with a true talent acquisition mindset are more likely to value your long-term potential & not just what’s on your resume today.
They are investing in people and not just hiring for filling the vacancies. That also makes all the difference in the kind of opportunities they offer.
Looking ahead
After 25 years of partnering with clients and candidates, I can confidently say this: when businesses shift from filling roles to building teams, everyone wins.
And as our network continues to evolve, we remain committed to helping both clients and candidates succeed—not just today, but long into the future.