Hiree vs. Hire — What's the Difference?

The distinction between hiree and hire lies primarily in their roles within the employment process. The hiree is the person who is selected for employment, emphasizing their position as the recipient of a job offer. This term highlights the perspective of the individual joining an organization. On the other hand, hire can refer to the act of employing someone, capturing the employer's action, or it can also denote the individual who has been employed, depending on the context.

In terms of usage, hiree is specifically used to identify the person being employed, focusing on their transition into a new role or organization. This term is less commonly used in everyday language but serves to distinguish the individual's perspective in the hiring process. Whereas hire, when used as a noun, can ambiguously refer to the person employed or the act itself, making its meaning dependent on the surrounding context.

The concept of hire, as a verb, encompasses the entire process of seeking, evaluating, and bringing a new employee into an organization. It signifies the employer's initiative and decision-making in filling a vacancy. Meanwhile, being a hiree implies having successfully gone through the selection process, from applying and interviewing to ultimately receiving a job offer.

From an HR perspective, understanding the difference between hiree and hire is crucial for clear communication. For instance, when discussing recruitment strategies or onboarding processes, specifying the hiree helps to focus on matters related to employee integration and experience. Conversely, talking about making a hire might more often relate to the organization's actions, such as recruitment tactics, decision-making processes, and the overall hiring strategy.

Although the term hiree is not as frequently used as hire, its specificity adds clarity when the discussion centers on the experiences, responsibilities, or orientation of the newly employed individual. In contrast, hire serves a dual purpose, acting as a verb to describe the act of employment and as a noun to refer to the outcome of this action or the process itself.