noun

headhunting

/ˈhɛdhʌntɪŋ/ · say it: HED·hunt·ing

recruiting talented people from other companies

In more detail

1. (noun) the practice of actively searching for and recruiting talented people, especially for important business positions

2. (noun) (historical) the practice of hunting people and taking their heads as trophies

Examples

1. The company hired a headhunting firm to find a new chief executive officer.
2. Headhunting was practiced by some indigenous peoples in ancient times.

How to use headhunting

In modern business contexts, headhunting refers to the aggressive or proactive recruitment of skilled professionals, especially executives and specialists, typically by recruitment agencies or firms. It carries a neutral to slightly competitive tone, emphasizing the search for top talent. The historical meaning involving literal human heads is rarely used in contemporary English and appears mainly in anthropological or historical discussions.

Common phrases

executive headhunting
headhunting firm
headhunting agency
headhunt talented professionals
headhunting for leadership roles

Synonyms

recruitment · talent acquisition · poaching · scouting · hunting

Word family

headhunt (verb) · headhunter (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse headhunting with general recruitment; headhunting specifically implies active, targeted recruitment of high-value talent rather than responding to job applications or posting open positions.

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