Placement

Placement basically refers to the system of assessment and selection by which vacancies are filled by staff serving in an organization. Placement can also be defined as the internal filling of vacancies as distinguished from external recruitment. Placement is a process of assigning a specific job to each of the selected candidates. It involves assigning a specific rank and responsibility to an individual. It implies matching the requirements of a job with the qualifications of the candidate.

Placements are also important for employment agencies, especially executive search firms, a type of employment agency that specializes in recruiting executive personnel for companies in various industries. Executive search agents/professionals usually have a wide range of personal contacts within the area in question, and a detailed specific knowledge of said area, and typically operate at the most senior level. Executive search professionals are also involved throughout more of the hiring process, conducting detailed interviews as well as only presenting candidates to clients where they feel the candidate in question will fit into the employment culture of the client. Compensation methods for recruiters specializing in direct hire placements fall into two broad categories; contingent and retained. Retained recruiters present opportunities and oversee the interview, and placement process for their clients. The contingent recruiter can earn as much as 10%-35% of the candidate's first year base salary or total remuneration as a hiring fee.

Placement is highly significant in the HR process because it improves employee morale, helps in reducing employee turnover, reduces absenteeism, and reduces accident rates, as well in avoiding a misfit between the candidate and the job. It helps the candidate to work as per the predetermined objectives of the organization. Usually the placement process starts after an applicant is selected, the offer is made to him and it is accepted. Once an employee is selected and placed on an appropriate job, the process of familiarizing him with the job and the organization is known as Induction.