As a talent acquisition specialist, you have a background in HR, but you’ve chosen to specialize in the recruitment and retention of a skilled and productive workforce.
Talent acquisition jobs require more than searching resumes for keywords and arranging interviews. You will establish relationships with managers and attract skilled workers. You will project future trends in the candidate talent pool. Your work can affect key business objectives, such as laying the groundwork for innovation and new technology. Talent acquisition specialists contribute to the bottom line in countless ways.
In a talent acquisition job, you'll likely report to a manager or director of human resources, or directly to a business owner. Normally, you’ll work regular hours from 9 to 5, though you may occasionally be required to work late to meet deadlines, or reach out to candidates who hold non-standard hours.
Depending on your level of experience and location in Canada, you will earn between $37,000 and $76,000 annually in a talent acquisition job. The more hiring experience you have under your belt, the higher your salary can climb. The average talent acquisition salary is approximately $54,000 per year. You can earn more in large corporations in metropolitan areas like Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary where a high volume of talent acquisition jobs are located, due to the large job markets in major cities.
In a talent acquisition role, your main role is to support hiring in your organization. Your daily tasks can include:
Talent acquisition positions are found in mnay industries, with the majority of opportunities found at large corporations. Canada’s economy is recovering after a protracted period of disappointing growth. As companies grow, your experience is needed to help them add to their teams.
The outlook is positive for most industries, including manufacturing, construction, technology, services and tourism. This is good news for talent acquisition specialists who will find jobs in the highest growth areas of Vancouver, Halifax, Toronto, Winnipeg, Victoria and Montréal.
Talent acquisition roles require you to be a keen judge of people and their skills. You’re perceptive about subtle cues that reveal candidates’ competencies, such as body language and the ability to relate to others. Talent acquisition jobs require the following:
To find a talent acquisition role, you’ll need a post-secondary education in an human resources field. Numerous certification programs are also available for you to specialize in the field of talent acquisition. The nationally recognized level of achievement is Chartered Human Resources Professional (CHRP).
Attaining certifications and gaining experience will provide you with opportunities to advance your career to the managerial level. Professionals with the CHRP designation earn more and often take management roles in their profession within five years of working in the field.
Becoming an HR manager is a common goal for those who take on talent acquisition jobs. The increased competition among employers to attract and retain competent staff means your skills are in demand. As you think about the next steps in your career, consider activities such as developing hiring strategies, training, and overseeing mentorship programs to replace the many workers about to retire.