Become a Recruiter

Recruiters often experience one of the best moments in business: offering an applicants a job. But becoming a recruiter takes more than communication skills, because they also have to seal the deal. Working as a recruiter means finding and interviewing potential employees for small companies, large corporations and government agencies in order to find the perfect match.

Recruiters work with the human resources department, so it is helpful to take a combination of courses in business, social and behavioral sciences when preparing for a career in this field. A recruiter may also work for a company that specializes in recruiting and employment rather than the corporation itself.

Degrees for Recruiters

While there are no specific degrees for recruiters, someone interested in this field can follow an educational plan for those in the human resources field. Many employers seek candidates with bachelor’s degrees in business, human resources, psychology or economics. A master’s of business administration or human resources management may be required for more advanced positions.

Recruiter Job Description

Recruiters often split their time between a comfortable office and travel to colleges and job fairs to find qualified candidates. They receive resumes, administer tests for aptitude and evaluate candidates on their education, experience, skills and salary requirements. The ability to evaluate a candidate’s personality for job compatibility is one of the most important aspects of the job. Recruiters often keep confidential employee files and check references.

Some of the daily job duties of a recruiter include the following:

• Utilize contacts and networks to find well-matched job candidates
• Organize the interview process and check references
• Make job offers and collect signed paperwork
• Inform candidates of the company’s benefits, structure and opportunities for advancement

Recruiter Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the median salary for a recruiter in May of 2006 was $42,420, with the highest 10% earning more than $81,680 per year. Those with recruiting positions in the scientific and technology industries received the highest salaries, and those working with government agencies received the lowest.

The employment outlook for recruiters is good, with prospects expecting to grow faster than average at a rate of 17% through 2016.