Translation guide
A person or agency that recruits highly skilled professionals, often by approaching them directly.
ヘッドハンター
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.
彼はヘッドハンターから連絡を受けた。
He was contacted by a headhunter.
ヘッドハンターに転職を勧められた。
A headhunter suggested I change jobs.
Literally 'talent introduction company'. A more formal term for a recruitment agency, often used in business contexts.
人材紹介会社を通じて転職した。
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.
彼は大手企業にスカウトされた。
He was scouted by a major company.
Literally 'pulling out'. Refers to poaching an employee from another company. Can have a negative nuance.
競合他社から引き抜かれた。
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.
その地域にはかつて首狩り族が住んでいた。
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.
ヘッドハンターに声をかけられた。
I was approached by a headhunter.
人材紹介会社に登録した。
I registered with a recruitment agency.