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Recruitment Consultant Career Information

Learn how to start a career as a human resources recruiter.

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What Do You Do in a Career as a Recruiter?

human resources recruiter

The Wall Street Journal's executive career site, Career Journal.com, suggests that a career as a recruiter can be a stepping stone to one of the most in-demand HR career options—training and development.

In this sub-specialty of the human resources field, executive-level positions can come with over $200,000 in yearly compensation.

Some people become private recruiters, known as headhunters, and start independent executive recruiting firms; in these private practices, earning potential is essentially limitless, and often skyrockets well into the six figures.

A successful HR recruiter recognizes ability in potential employees. The traditional interview process is only a part of an HR recruiter's duties. Gathering online resumes, conducting telephone screenings and representing the company at career fairs are also a common part of a recruiter's job.

Recruiters are the face of the company to potential employees. An HR recruiter must have excellent people skills, with a well-developed talent for reading people and conducting interviews. A human resources bachelor's degree with course work in behavioral sciences, social sciences and interpersonal communication is recommended for entry-level positions, and a human resources master's or MBA with a focus in human resources can be very useful in advancing to senior positions. To start on your journey to becoming a recruiter, find a human resources bachelor's, master's or MBA degree.

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Human Resources Recruiter Career Path

Entry Level Mid Level Senior Level

Types of Roles

Recruiter, staffing specialist, placement specialist

Hiring manager, recruiting supervisor, associate in headhunting firm

Director of human resources, talent development director, partner in headhunting firm

Experience

0- 4 years

5 - 10 years

10+ years

Getting There

  • All entry-level requirements
  • HR or general business master's or MBA degree
  • Post-graduate course work in business administration, staffing or management
  • All mid-level requirements
  • Administration or management training
  • Proven expertise in the field

Salary*

$39,998

$61,759

$141,962

Description

Recruits new employees through interviews, career fairs or online channels

Supervises the day-to-day activities of employee hiring

  • Provides high-level direction for one or more HR departments
  • Determine key success criteria for job and ask questions to find this skill set in applicants

* Salary information is derived from Payscale.com listed median income for the position. The type of organization strongly affects pay.

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