by The job of a recruiter includes running the hiring program of a company or some aspects of it.
Recruiters are classified by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics as Human Resource Specialists and play the role of a company ambassador and talent evaluator.
With their knowledge of the company, industry, business, and human resources they can understand the needs of a particular company.
However, since the technology advanced to allow to perform some recruiting tasks, prospective recruiters need strong communication and analytical skills to conduct interviews and decide on hiring.
Article Table of Contents
What Does a Recruiter Do
Recruiters work with companies helping them fill positions.
They handle advertising of job openings, finding applicants, and determining if they are fit for the job and even hire them.
Recruiters work with various information on applicants, analyzing and advertising it.
They should also determine which information isn’t relevant to the hiring process.
Responsibilities
- Get information from employers about employment needs and applicants’ qualifications.
- Post job applications, attend job fairs, and visit schools to develop interest among seekers.
- Screen job applicants based on the qualifications set by the employer or following their directions.
- Interview and test job applicants.
- Discuss the qualifications, duties, policies, and benefits with applicants.
- Conduct background checks of applicants, including obtaining criminal histories and contacting references.
- Extend job offers to applicants.
- Assist employers with orientation sessions or conduct them themselves.
- Ensure the compliance of employers and their hiring process with the local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and rules, including anti-discrimination laws.
Essential Skills
Decision-making:
Recruiters should be able to make decisions.
They should be able to determine whether applicants meet the qualifications and who is a suitable candidate for employment.
To make decisions, they need to exercise judgment.
Therefore, they should be able to analyze body language, statements, and other information collected during the interview to judge applicants.
Communication:
Recruiters should speak and write with clarity and brevity to inform applicants about the jobs effectively.
They should also listen and understand the needs of the employer and determine whether the applicants meet them.
Listening skills are also essential for interviews.
Interpersonal:
Recruiters interact with applicants and employers.
The applicant may have diverse backgrounds and skills.
As O*NET reports, 96% of recruiters have face-to-face interactions on the job every day.
Interpersonal skills include being patient, tactful, and sensitive when dealing with applicants.
Details:
Recruiting includes gathering details about the applicants and employment positions.
Besides, recruiters should be detail-oriented to keep accurate records and ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
How to Become a Recruiter
To qualify for the position of a recruiter, you need a combination of education and experience in personnel and business-related matters.
The required training and qualifications can vary depending on the employer.
Training and Qualifications
Recruiters usually need a bachelor’s of science in human resources, business, or a related area.
The coursework includes psychology, business administration, human resource management, industrial relations, writing, and accounting.
Training may depend on the particular employer.
For example, recruiters for the US Navy are trained for five weeks.
This training covers finding prospects, selling, marketing, paperwork, using social media, and speaking in public.
Certifications or licenses aren’t mandatory for the position, but they can broaden job opportunities.
You can get the Certified Professional and Senior Certified Professional certifications issued by the Society for Human Resource Management.
To obtain these certifications, you need some work experience.
Experience
Recruiters can gain work experience through jobs in personnel departments, human resources, or customer service.
You can also work in career service centers on campuses or for local employment agencies to get more experience.
Experience in human resources is a requirement for obtaining certification through the Society for Human Resource Management.
The experience level depends on education.
For instance, you need one year of experience in human resources if you have a bachelor’s degree in the human-resources-related area.
Without a degree, you would need three years of experience.
Those who hold a graduate degree are only required to be working in the field at the time of going for the certification.
Experience in human resources should relate to at least one of the specialties of the area.
It can include engaging and retaining employees, talent acquisition, workforce management, and diversity and inclusion.
Working Hours
Recruiters generally work full-time.
They typically work on weekdays in daytime hours, but they might also have to travel to employment fairs and schools.
Depending on the destinations, they might spend an overnight stay away.
Some recruiting jobs include work in the evenings or weekends.
Career Outlook
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate in human resources should increase by 5% through 2024.
This opens up 22,000 more jobs.
As of 2014, the human resources field numbered about 482,000 specialists.
Since companies use more technology, the hiring rate of recruiters is slower.
Additionally, some companies use online recruiting instead of sending recruiters to campuses or job fairs.
Employers’ sites or outside employment sites post job descriptions with duties, qualifications, salary, and benefits information.
Typically, job seekers apply online with their CVs and cover letters.
Many employers use the services of outside placement agencies instead of in-house recruiting or human resources staff.
The hiring needs may vary depending on the company and season.
According to the BLS, employment services hired about 16% of human resources professionals in 2014.
In May 2015, the “Employment Services” sector was the first among those who hired HR experts, filling 85,380 jobs.
HR specialists made $63,710 on average in May 2015.
According to PayScale, recruiters can get promoted to the position of recruiting managers and human resources managers.
Conclusion
Recruiters perform the functions of job announcers, interviewers, and position fillers.
They use analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills to evaluate the qualifications of applicants and help them determine if the company or the job is the right fit.
More companies seek applicants online and through social media platforms, so the employment growth for recruiters can be tempered.
The strongest prospects for recruiters exist with placement agencies and other hiring firms, rather than in the in-house positions.