A Career in Recruitment - How to Know That You’d Be a Good Fit for the Industry

The recruitment industry is a dynamic, impactful field that supports businesses and individuals by sourcing and placing talent in a huge spectrum of roles. If you’re considering a career in recruitment, then you’ll need to learn what skills are in demand and come into the industry with a passion for helping others. It’s a unique industry in that it requires certain personality traits that you likely won’t find elsewhere. If you’re considering a career in recruitment, then you should take the time to understand what it takes to thrive in this industry. In this article, we’ll look into a career in recruitment and learn how to know that you’d be a good fit for the industry.

Understanding the Role of a Recruiter

Learning about what working in recruitment in the UK is like will help you form an opinion about whether it’s a good fit for you. The first thing you’ll want to look into is the role of a recruiter, which is a common role found in the industry. Recruiters - also known as recruitment consultants - work to identify, attract and hire talent on behalf of client organisations. Some of the day-to-day duties for this role include: • Sourcing Candidates: Recruiters need to find potential candidates for open positions. This often involves using job boards, social media platforms, professional networking sites, and participating in job fairs. • Screening and Interviewing: Once candidates are identified, recruiters screen CVs, conduct initial interviews, and coordinate hiring managers' interviews. • Offer and Onboarding: Recruiters also manage the job offer process, negotiate salaries, and may be involved in the onboarding process of new hires.

Key Traits of Successful Recruiters

Finding success as a recruiter requires a fair amount of dedication to the role and developing the right skills. We’ve provided a few tips previously to help you become a successful recruiter, but it also helps to have the right soft skills and traits. The following key traits will prove to be very helpful for your career progression as a recruiter:

Strong Communication Skills

Effective communication is perhaps the most useful skill for recruiters. This includes the ability to write clear, professional job postings, emails, and messages, as well as being an excellent verbal communicator. Recruiters often conduct interviews and serve as the first point of contact between the company and potential employees, making the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively essential.

People Skills

Recruitment is all about connecting with people. Being personable, approachable, and able to build relationships quickly is vital. Successful recruiters enjoy working with people and are skilled at making candidates feel valued and understood. The ability to build rapport quickly is also key, as it will allow you to build connections and understand the needs of clients and candidates.

Organisational Skills

Recruiters handle multiple openings, interact with numerous candidates, and coordinate with various departments. As such, strong organisational skills are necessary to manage these tasks effectively and to keep track of all stages of the recruitment process for different candidates.

Problem-Solving Abilities

Recruitment often involves navigating unexpected challenges, such as finding candidates with rare skills or managing last-minute changes to job requirements. The ability to think on your feet and come up with effective solutions is a valuable trait for recruiters.

Persistence and Patience

The recruitment process can be lengthy and complex. Persistence and patience are important traits when managing extended hiring processes, slow-moving candidates, or negotiations between candidates and hiring managers.

Daily Life in Recruitment

The daily activities of a recruiter can vary significantly but typically include a mix of proactive and reactive tasks. On any given day, a recruiter might spend time posting job ads, reaching out to potential candidates on LinkedIn, conducting interviews, participating in strategy meetings with hiring managers, and following up on candidates' references and background checks. The ability to juggle these diverse tasks while maintaining attention to detail is key to success in this role.

How to Get Started in Recruitment

Getting started in recruitment is quite straightforward - especially if you already have a degree. Many recruitment agencies, including Globe Locums, offer graduate recruitment positions that let you walk into the industry with no previous experience. For most people looking to get into recruitment, they follow a career path like the one outlined below:

Education and Background

Most entry-level recruitment positions require a bachelor’s degree, although the field of study can vary widely. Some recruiters come from business, psychology, or human resources backgrounds, which can provide useful skills and insights for the role.

Gain Experience

Starting in a junior recruiting position or as a recruiting coordinator can provide invaluable experience. Internships or temp roles in human resources departments also offer practical learning opportunities.

Professional Development

This isn’t necessary for a career in recruitment, but you can consider obtaining certifications like those offered by the British Institute of Recruiters or the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). These can enhance your skills and make your CV more attractive.

Networking

Since recruitment is a people-focused career, building a strong professional network can open up opportunities and provide insights and mentorship. This can be achieved through networking events, seminars and workshops where you will interact with peers and industry leaders.

Find Your Perfect Career in Recruitment

Recruitment is a rewarding career path that suits those who are sociable, persuasive, and organised. It offers the chance to make a significant impact on the success of an organisation by ensuring it has the right talent. By understanding the skills and traits that contribute to success in this field, you can better prepare yourself for a fulfilling career in recruitment. If you possess these qualities and are looking for a dynamic, people-oriented career, recruitment could be an excellent fit for you.

If you would like to look at your career options in recruitment, why not view our latest vacancies at Globe Locums? Or, if you have any questions about entering the industry please get in touch with our team today.