If you have great people skills and can build positive relationships, you should consider a career in recruitment. Your role as a recruiter is to find the best candidates for the vacant position in your client's company. It is a demanding but exciting role with diverse work environments. Read on to discover what you need to become a recruiter.
When you are a recruiter, you will be responsible for talent acquisition and matching the candidates to the positions in client companies. Attracting the best candidates requires building positive relationships and understanding your client's requirements. The recruitment process involves drafting job adverts, headhunting, screening applications, and conducting interviews. Your role includes advising clients and candidates on recommended salary levels, career opportunities, and training requirements.
Your working day as a recruiter covers the typical 9 to 5 working hours with a maximum of 40 hours a week. However, working longer hours is common, including early mornings and evenings. Sometimes, you also have to meet candidates for interviews late if they have a day job. While your working hours are flexible, some companies require you to be available full-time. Remote work is also possible since you can screen applicants and conduct video interviews for candidates in different regions. Most of your work is office-based, but sometimes you have to meet clients outside the office. If you are working with an overseas client, your job may include supervising recruitment in various regions.
Although interview questions differ from one hiring manager to another, here are some recruiter questions to expect:
When looking for a job as a recruiter, the hiring manager will expect a professional resume and cover letter. Hence, your recruiter application should make a positive impression on the potential employer. Your CV should include the following information:
Your resume should highlight your prowess in acquiring talents and matching them to the right jobs. You should also use action verbs in the experience section and cover letter to display your abilities and achievements. Aside from action verbs, use hard figures to highlight your accomplishments and the tangible impact of your skills. When writing the recruiter cover letter, focus on the soft skills and explain your experience further.
The job prospects for a recruiter usually depend on the business growth and expansion rate. For instance, when companies are expanding, they need a healthy talent pipeline, increasing the demand for recruiters. However, the recruiting methods and strategies are constantly evolving, and you need to adapt to avoid losing relevance. For example, you need to headhunt using online resources and conduct video or phone interviews instead of in-person interviews. Despite the changes, being a recruiter is still a promising career with huge prospects. The career progression is also well-defined, and you can move from a recruiter to a human resource manager.
Working as a recruiter in Canada attracts an average salary of $47,733 annually. Your salary will be about $36,000 per year at an entry-level position, but top earners take home over $70,000. Your compensation package depends on your work experience and the additional benefits. Some companies may provide additional benefits or pay commissions and bonuses. Working as an in-house recruiter can also limit your earnings. External recruiters receive a flat rate or earn a commission for every successful candidate they hire. Some locations also offer lucrative compensation packages to reflect the living standards. For instance, you will get a higher salary in large cities compared to small towns.
Top paying areas for recruiters in Canada include Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.
Your specific duties and responsibilities depend on the employer and the type of recruiter. Some of the tasks include:
When you are a recruiter, you can work in-house in one company. However, most recruiters work in recruitment agencies that provide staffing services to various industries. In recruitment consultancy, you will work for international or local agencies. Aside from generalist recruitment agencies that provide services to all business sectors, industry-specific consultancy services are also available.
To become a successful recruiter, you need the following skills:
While an undergraduate degree is not mandatory for becoming a recruiter, it will catapult your job prospects and speed up your career progression. Besides, a degree helps you hone some of the technical and soft skills. Pursue a bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, marketing, or psychology to start your career. Aside from degree programs, you need certifications to boost your competitiveness in the field. You can become a professional recruiter in Canada by registering with the Association of Professional Recruiters of Canada (APRC). Postgraduate studies are not essential for a recruiter since employers focus on relevant talent acquisition skills and achievements.
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about recruiter jobs.
You can land a job as a recruiter regardless of the degree subject pursued in university. However, undergraduate programs in human relations will help you develop the people skills you need in recruitment. Most employers look for candidates with recruitment skills and experience.
In Canada, recruiter job openings are popular on job boards, advertisements on social media pages and the Randstad job section, which also lists numerous vacancies for recruiters.
When you spot a recruiter job vacancy that suits your experience, ensure you apply for the job at Randstad. Register to open an account or log in to apply for the job opening.
Be the first to learn about new vacancies by networking with various professionals in the field or seeking referrals. Alternatively, sign-up for our career resources newsletter to receive an email every time we post a recruiter vacancy.
Recruiters focus on understanding your skills and capabilities and match you to a position that suits your abilities. If a recruiter fails to secure job placement for you, they provide advice or training to improve your job prospects.
As a recruiter, your responsibility is to find the best talents to fill your client's company vacancies. You also conduct the screening process and interviews to determine suitability.
Being a recruiter is an exciting career with a well-defined career progression. A recruiter career also allows you to impact people's lives. Besides, the remuneration and benefits are lucrative.