A headhunter usually searches directly for potential candidates that fit a specific skill set or could fill a specific position.

Headhunters are often set on the task of successfully filling key positions. Unfilled key positions can cause large losses in productivity or profit. Headhunters also have more experience filling more challenging positions, be it for lack of specialised personnel or other reasons.

Compared to regular recruitment procedures, staffing and headhunting are usually focused on filling singular positions and looking at a comparatively smaller number of potential candidates.