What Could a Recruiter’s Career Path Look Like?

Could This Be the Right Profession for You? Find Out Here!

At RHM Staffing, we’re always thrilled to find job seekers who ultimately want to help other job seekers connect to their dream work. If you’re a driven people person with a keen business sense, a recruiting career path might suit you well.

But first, how do you get started in the field, and which educational or vocational training is recommended? What’s the career path like at the entry-level, mid-level and senior level? What does it take to excel in a recruiting capacity? Don’t worry: We’ll answer all those questions right here, so stay tuned to find out if the recruiting life is right for you.
 

A Non-Traditional Career Path

The good news about recruiting is that it’s not necessarily a straightforward route. You might be surprised to know that there is no degree in recruitment: Interestingly enough, business, marketing and psychology rank as some of the most popular degrees earned by recruiters. 

Though many people still pursue the traditional route of finishing a human resources degree and obtaining HR certifications, less orthodox recruiting paths are becoming more widely accepted. That said, though a college degree is not required to pursue this career path, we do recommend it to help you get your foot in the door.

Soft Skills for Every Level

Recruiting is a field where the right transferable skills and soft skills make a difference, regardless of your professional background.

Have you always been a resource for your friends seeking job advice? Do you frequently repost and tag interesting jobs for your friends on social media so the right person sees it? You might possess the soft skills required for a recruiting career and not even know it yet.

First of all, you’ll need listening skills and the ability to read between the lines when speaking to candidates. For example, someone might imply that they’re seeking a leadership role by saying that they’re looking for a more strategic role with more oversight — but if you don’t fully internalize that message, you might end up sending them too many individual contributor roles and lose their interest.

Because you’ll be talking to people nearly all day when working as a recruiter, communication skills are a must. You’ll deliver life-changing news, both negative and positive, tasks which both require empathy.

Recruiters keep up with an endless communication stream – whether it’s salary information, client communication, or candidate follow-up – with little downtime to process it all. You’ll need unparalleled organizational skills to keep up with the role and give your clients and candidates the service they deserve.

And finally, you’ll need patience. Candidates back out at the last minute, fail to show up to interviews, and have a host of other unprofessional behaviors – sometimes for good reasons. You’ll face many ups and downs throughout your day, often at a moment’s notice. A level head will help you carry out all the problem-solving your work requires.

Entry-Level Recruiting Jobs

You might consider an entry-level job in recruiting at an HR staffing agency or in a small company that doesn’t require much experience, especially if you’re just looking to get started. Junior recruiters’ tasks vary by agency, but common expectations include posting job ads, doing candidate phone screenings, scheduling calls and interviews, and managing calendars.  

Mid-Career Recruiting

Recruiting job seekers who are at least three years out of school or who have over five years of direct recruiting experience reach the mid-career level of their recruiting careers.  

Many recruiters in these positions will move up the career path by taking on new responsibilities, like tasks directly related to hiring and strategic initiatives like planning quarterly recruiting goals. They work more closely with department managers to establish hiring objectives than those junior to them. Mid-and mid-senior positions often include valuable work experience and can lead to a higher position in the future. 

Senior-Level Recruiting Work

Eventually, recruiters can build up to a senior level recruiting position. In fact, many recruiters in this position have studied advanced courses in business administration and become certified professionals. A senior recruiter is responsible for monitoring staffing services for the organization, interviewing potential candidates, and managing the onboarding of new employees. 

Contact RHM Staffing Solutions Today

RHM is a scientific staffing agency creating unique connections between job seekers and employers to ensure the right fit for both parties. Ready to try a new career that suits your skills, personality, and values? Contact RHM today.