Think hard about everything you’d want from a job. Variety? A chance to make a meaningful difference? Big challenges, and even bigger rewards? If all of this sounds appealing, it could be time to consider a career in recruitment.
What do recruiters do all day?
It may come as a surprise that recruiters do far more than find jobs for people. They’ll screen CVs, create longlists and shortlists, help prepare candidates for interviews (and give feedback after), headhunt, attend client meetings, and write and post job ads. Above all, the most important part of any good recruiter’s job is building genuine relationships built on honesty and integrity, ensuring that clients and candidates trust you to act in their best interests. Some recruiters work in-house, but the majority work for agencies who either specialise in one sector, or a range of sectors (like us!)
In essence, recruiters wear many hats throughout the day, from talent scouts and interview coaches to relationship builders and industry experts. It's a dynamic and challenging career that requires a mix of interpersonal skills, industry knowledge, and a genuine passion for helping people find the right job opportunities.
What experience do I need for a career in recruitment?
That depends on the position. Sometimes, a company will want you to have experience in a sales-related role, or have a qualification within the sector you’ll be recruiting for. As an example, if you’re applying for a role in legal recruitment, a law degree or previous experience working within the sector would be a big advantage. However, many skills you’ll need in recruitment are transferrable across various industries. These include excellent communication skills, a knack for building relationships, effective problem-solving abilities, and a strong work ethic.
A career in recruitment: what’s in it for me?
Let’s take a look at a few of the benefits of a career in recruitment!
1) Great earning potential
Recruitment offers you the chance to earn bonuses on top of your regular salary. For example, every time you make a placement, you might be earning 30% of the total you bill clients annually. Let’s say you make £30k worth of placements in one year – that’s £9000 extra you’ll be taking home - and your earnings will only increase as your network and skills expand. A company might also offer additional incentives to recruiters who hit certain targets. For example, every year a few members of the Glee team get to go on an all-expenses paid holiday!
2) You’ll use loads of different business skills
As a recruiter, you'll need to conduct research to understand different industries, write compelling job ads and candidate profiles, and present information persuasively to clients and candidates. Your ability to analyse data, communicate effectively, and think critically will all come in handy as you navigate the employment landscape and learn about different industries. Your role as a recruiter isn’t just about connecting people with opportunities; it's about shaping careers and contributing to the growth and success of businesses by building successful teams. If you’ve gained a lot of experience within one area, recruitment can be a great career to sidestep into. For example, let’s say you’ve worked in marketing for years – your experience will be invaluable in advising candidates about the next steps in their career, and helping them to understand the skills and knowledge that employers are looking for.
3) You can progress quickly
In most jobs, you’ll likely start at one level, and stay there until you get picked for a promotion – perhaps after a couple of years – or leave to find a better role. In recruitment, it’s much easier to rise through the ranks as your skill-level increases along with your billings, so you aren’t stuck in a holding pattern waiting for someone to notice your potential. For example, here at Gleeson we offer a transparent career structure from associate consultant all the way up to divisional director, and our recruits know exactly what they need to do to progress. We believe hard work should be rewarded!
4) It’s an amazing way to gain business skills
Recruitment is effectively a crash course in business. You'll develop impeccable communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills - essential in any corporate setting. Plus, you'll gain an insider's perspective on various industries, sharpening your business acumen. You’ll also learn a lot about building relationships, how to navigate different personalities, and tailor your approach to meet the needs of people with different priorities and interests. These skills are not only invaluable in recruitment but also transfer seamlessly to other facets of the business world, making it a career choice that offers incredible personal and professional growth.
5) You’ll get lots of autonomy
We all know how frustrating micromanagement and handholding can be when you’re trying to get on with a job, especially if you one day aspire to be your own boss. The great news is that as a recruitment consultant, you have the freedom to build and maintain your own client and candidate relationships, schedule your own workday, and often, to decide which sector or industry you’d like to focus on. All this means that you'll have the freedom to truly shape your career according to your unique strengths and interests.
6) You’ll enjoy a vibrant and fun culture
Whether you're networking with industry leaders, attending job fairs, or utilising cutting-edge technology to find the perfect job match, you'll find that recruitment is an exhilarating career filled with variety and the chance to make a meaningful impact on people's lives.
The fast-paced nature of the job also keeps things exciting, and many recruitment agencies encourage team-building activities, competitions, and social events.
So, if you’re looking for a career path with the opportunity to earn a decent wage, gain new skills, forge your own path and have a lot of fun in the process, recruitment might just be the job for you!
Interested in a career in recruitment? At Gleeson Recruitment Group we offer an amazing career structure with plenty of support and autonomy, and we’re looking for recruiters to come on board and join our already established teams in Birmingham, London and Reading. You can apply online, or get in touch with us at marketing@workwithglee.com for more info.
