Translation guide
A person or agency that recruits highly skilled professionals, often by approaching them directly.
headhunter (recruiter)
A person or company that finds and recruits talented people for jobs, often by approaching them directly.
The most direct and commonly understood term, borrowed from English. Used for both the person and the agency.
He was contacted by a headhunter.
A headhunter suggested I change jobs.
Literally 'talent introduction company'. A more formal term for a recruitment agency, often used in business contexts.
I changed jobs through a recruitment agency.
Refers to the act of scouting or recruiting talent, or the person who does it. Common in sports, entertainment, and business.
He was scouted by a major company.
Literally 'pulling out'. Refers to poaching an employee from another company. Can have a negative nuance.
I was poached by a rival company.
A member of a tribe that collects the heads of enemies.
Literally 'head-hunting tribe'. Used in anthropological or historical contexts.
Headhunting tribes once lived in that area.
ヘッドハンター is a direct loanword and is widely understood in business. 人材紹介会社 is a more formal, descriptive term often used in official contexts. スカウト emphasizes the act of scouting and is common in sports and entertainment.
I was approached by a headhunter.
I registered with a recruitment agency.