Recruiter Career Information

Recruiters are talent acquisition professionals who attract, screen, and select appropriate candidates for open roles. Staffing and temp agencies hire contract recruiters to quickly source talent. Larger companies employ internal recruiters to handle the hiring process from start to finish.

What skills do you need to become a recruiter?

Recruiters work with the brightest professionals, so they need to be motivated, responsive, and on top of their game. If you want to be a recruiter, you should have excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, as you’ll be working to woo a variety of people. Part of the job is rejecting people, too, but a good recruiter does so diplomatically. You should also be detail-oriented and have excellent time management skills, as you’ll be multitasking on an hourly basis.

What experience and/or certifications do you need to be a recruiter?

To apply for recruiter jobs, candidates will want to have a bachelor’s degree. Common degrees for recruiters include human resources, business administration, psychology, communication, and marketing. To be a successful recruiter, you’ll want to be familiar with ATS (applicant tracking software) and CRM (candidate relationship management) software, such as ZipRecruiter, ADP, and Kronos.

More than half of recruiters have done one or more internships before applying to a full-time recruiting role. For those seeking to prove their talent acquisition prowess, the well-respected Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has a Talent Acquisition Specialty Credential. While certification is not necessary, it can help build credibility and up your odds of future promotions.

What companies and industries employ recruiters?  

Staffing and information technology are the two industries that employ the most recruiters. Recruiters can also find jobs in the hospital and healthcare sector, as well as financial services and higher education. All major cities offer job opportunities for recruiters, including New York, Chicago, Boston, Dallas, and Atlanta.

What is the job outlook and salary for recruiter roles?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for human resources specialists, including recruiters, is projected to grow 5% over the next decade. The average human resources specialist makes a median annual wage of $60,880.