Talent Acquisition

Talent acquisition (TA) is the internal function at mid-to-large companies responsible for recruiting. TA teams are distinct from external agency recruiters — they work exclusively for one employer and are focused on that organization's long-term hiring goals. **TA team roles:** - **TA Partner / Recruiter**: Manages requisitions and candidate pipelines for specific teams or departments - **Sourcer**: Identifies and contacts passive candidates before roles are even open - **TA Coordinator**: Schedules interviews, manages offer logistics, handles onboarding paperwork - **TA Manager / Director**: Leads the function, manages employer brand, workforce planning, recruiting metrics **Why candidates should understand TA:** When you apply to a company, TA is typically the first team you interact with. The TA recruiter you speak with may be a specialist focused on one function (engineering TA vs. sales TA at large companies) or a generalist managing all hires. **Employer brand:** TA teams are also responsible for employer branding — the company's reputation as an employer. Job descriptions, career pages, Glassdoor responses, and candidate experience all fall under TA's responsibility. **For candidates:** Building a relationship with a TA partner at a target company — even before a relevant role opens — can put you in the pipeline. TA teams maintain candidate databases and often reach out to previously interviewed (but not hired) candidates when new roles open.