Being a recruiter, it's renowned for its exhilarating, fast-paced, target-driven workplace. Those that bring in the most prominent clients and place the highest-level applicants are rewarded with hefty commissions, bonuses, and development.

High income, job satisfaction, and outstanding job prospects are all benefits of a career in recruitment, which also offers options to work for a recruitment agency or within a company.

A recruiter is a person or a firm that matches job seekers with employers, helping companies fill job openings. 

They typically screen resumes, conduct interviews, and offer support and advice to both the employer and candidate throughout the hiring process. The goal of a recruiter is to identify and place the best-fit candidate for a particular job opening.

Types of recruiters

There are two main types of recruiters:

• Internal recruiters: They work within a company and are responsible for hiring employees for various departments and positions.
• External recruiters or third-party recruiters: They work for recruiting firms and are hired by companies to find and place candidates for a fee. They may specialise in a particular industry or job function.

There are also subtypes of recruiters, such as executive search recruiters, niche recruiters, and contingency recruiters.

What do internal recruiters do daily?

The daily tasks of an internal recruiter may include the following:

• Posting job openings on the company's website and job boards.
• Screening resumes and applications.
• Conducting initial phone screens with candidates.
• Coordinating and scheduling in-person interviews with hiring managers.
• Following up with candidates and hiring managers to provide status updates.
• Managing the offer process, including salary negotiations and onboarding.
• Maintaining applicant tracking systems and updating job postings.
• Staying up to date with labour laws, equal employment opportunity regulations, and other HR compliance issues.
• Building and maintaining relationships with hiring managers and other stakeholders.
• Generating reports on the recruitment process and its results.

What do external recruiters do?

External recruiters or third-party recruiters typically perform the following tasks:

• Sourcing and identifying potential candidates for job openings.
• Screening resumes and applications.
• Conducting initial phone screens and in-person interviews.
• Negotiating offers and salary packages.
• Building relationships with job seekers and clients.
• Maintaining a database of qualified candidates.
• Networking and leveraging their professional connections to find the best-fit candidates.
• Marketing job opportunities to their candidate pool.
• Advising job seekers on their job search and career development.
• Receiving a fee or commission from the client company for a successful candidate placement.

How to become a recruiter

Here are some standard requirements to become a recruiter:

• Education: A bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, psychology, or a related field is preferred but only sometimes required.
• Experience: Prior experience in HR, sales, or customer service is often helpful. Some recruiters may also have previous experience in the industry they serve.
• Skills: Strong communication and interpersonal skills, ability to multitask and proficiency in using job search databases and applicant tracking systems are essential for success as a recruiter.
• Certification: Some recruiters may choose to earn a certificate, such as the Certified Personnel Consultant (CPC) from the National Association of Personnel Services.
• Networking: Building and maintaining a professional network is crucial for recruiters, who often rely on their connections to find the best-fit candidates for job openings.

Skills required to be a recruiter

Here are some essential skills required to be an effective recruiter:

• Communication: Ability to articulate job requirements, provide guidance and advice to candidates, and negotiate offers and compensation.
• Interpersonal skills: Strong ability to build rapport with candidates and clients and work well with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Time management: Ability to effectively manage and prioritise multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Sales skills: Ability to sell job opportunities to candidates and sell the company's culture and values to potential hires.
• Problem-solving: Ability to think critically and creatively to overcome obstacles and find the best-fit candidate for a job opening.
• Technical skills: Using job search databases, applicant tracking systems, and social media platforms to source and screen candidates.
• Organisation: Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records and track progress in the recruitment process.
• Market knowledge: Understanding the job market, industry trends, and the skills and qualifications required for different job roles.

Recruiter salary overview

The salary of a recruiter can vary depending on factors such as location, industry, and experience level. On average, recruiters can expect to earn the following:

• Entry-level recruiters: $40,000 to $60,000 per year
• Experienced recruiters: $60,000 to $100,000 per year
• Senior recruiters: $85,000 to $150,000 per year
• Executive search recruiters: $100,000 to $200,000 or more per year

In addition to base salary, recruiters may also earn commissions or bonuses based on their performance and the successful placement of candidates. Some recruiters also receive benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

Recruiter job titles with salary

Here are some standard recruiter job titles with corresponding salaries:

• Junior Recruiter: $40,000 to $60,000 per year
• Recruiter: $60,000 to $85,000 per year
• Senior Recruiter: $85,000 to $120,000 per year
• Technical Recruiter: $70,000 to $110,000 per year
• Corporate Recruiter: $80,000 to $120,000 per year
• Executive Recruiter: $100,000 to $200,000 per year
• Recruitment Manager: $100,000 to $150,000 per year

Note: These salaries are rough estimates and may vary depending on the company, industry, location, and level of experience of the recruiter.

Recruiter job scope and career path

A recruiter's scope and career path can vary depending on the type of organisation they work for and the industry they serve. Here is a general overview:

• Job Scope: Recruiters are responsible for sourcing, screening, and selecting candidates for job openings within an organisation. They work closely with hiring managers to understand their needs and match the best-fit candidates to the job requirements.
• Career Path: Recruiters can start their careers as junior recruiters and progress to senior recruiters, recruitment managers, or executive recruiters. Some recruiters may specialise in a particular industry or functional area, such as technical recruiting or executive search.
• Skills Development: Recruiters can develop their skills by staying up-to-date with industry trends, attending training sessions and workshops, and participating in professional organisations.
• Advancement Opportunities: Recruiters may advance to management positions and lead a team of recruiters. They can also move into roles such as human resources management, talent acquisition, or staffing services.
• Growth Potential: The demand for recruiters is expected to grow in line with the need for organisations to fill job openings and retain top talent. This provides opportunities for recruiters to grow and advance their careers over time.