Internal and external methods of recruitment
Businesses recruit for new roles from both existing employees (inside the business) and potential employees (outside the business). These methods are referred to as internal recruitmentFilling a job vacancy with an existing member of staff. and external recruitmentFilling a job vacancy with a person from outside of the organisation.. Internal recruitment usually occurs when an existing employee is seeking a promotionThe advancement of an employeeâs position within an organisation. or wishes to work in a different role in the business.
Internal and external recruitment may use interviews, application forms, aptitude testA test designed to determine a person's ability in a particular skill or field of knowledge., group tasks, presentations and role-playing tasks to help select the best candidates for the job.
Internal recruitment
Internal recruitment is often carried out through internal job adverts published via internal emails, notice boards, business websites and internal company memos.
Advantages of internal recruitment include:
- a quick process
- applicants will already be known to the business
- applicants may have previous experience in the role
- cheaper to recruit and advertise roles internally
Disadvantages of internal recruitment include:
- usually a small pool of applicants
- applicants may not be experienced in the role
- a lack of fresh ideas in the business
External recruitment
External recruitment is often carried out through external job adverts published via external emails, job websites, recruitment agencies, the businessâ own website, newspapers and trade magazineA magazine or newspaper whose target audience is people who work in a particular trade or industry..
Advantages of external recruitment include:
- may bring new ideas into the business
- fresh enthusiasm and skills
- larger pool of potential applicants
Disadvantages of external recruitment include:
- may take the new employee time to settle into the business
- expensive to recruit
- new employee not previously known to the business
- can take more time than internal recruitment