# Direct Recruitment > Direct Recruitment means hiring an individual externally, not by promoting or transferring within an [organization]. **Term:** Direct Recruitment **Last updated:** 2026-07-29 ## Definition ## What Direct Recruitment Means in a Contract Direct Recruitment is a contractual term describing the act of bringing a new employee into an organization from outside its existing workforce, as opposed to filling a vacancy through internal promotion, lateral transfer, or secondment. When a contract refers to Direct Recruitment, it is typically drawing a line between two hiring pathways: sourcing talent externally versus reallocating talent already employed by the organization. This distinction matters because many agreements attach different consequences, fees, or obligations depending on which pathway is used. A recruitment agency agreement, for example, may only charge a placement fee when a candidate is hired through Direct Recruitment, since internal moves do not involve the agency's sourcing services. Similarly, an employment contract might restrict a departing employee from being subject to Direct Recruitment by a competitor for a defined period. The term is also relevant in corporate policy documents and