Recruitment is a sales role. Much of your time is spent on the phone, selling your services to prospective clients. Recruitment consultancies attract candidates and match them to jobs in client companies on a temporary or permanent basis. The consultants role is the vital link between candidates and clients. They operate in virtually all sectors of the employment market.
The top priority of a recruitment consultant is to develop strong client relationships, understanding their business needs and therefore being able to represent them well when selecting potential candidates for them to interview.
The role involves attracting business from client companies by using sales, business development and marketing techniques. This includes building relationships with clients by going out and meeting them, keeping in touch over the phone and in writing. It involves getting to know the client companies, what they do, how they operate and the general culture or atmosphere of the workplace. An important attribute for a recruitment consultant is the confidence to contact prospective clients and win their business.
Recruitment consultants are required to attract candidates by drafting advertising copy and using a wide range of media, including their own internal database. It also involves screening candidates, interviewing them and selecting suitable candidates to put forward to client companies. Recruitment consultants are involved in negotiating pay and salary rates and finalising arrangements between client and candidate. The sense of satisfaction you receive from placing the right candidate in the right job can be significant.
The recruitment industry generally welcomes candidates from a range of educational backgrounds and there is a great future for those with the drive and determination to succeed. Some employers may have dedicated career development programmes for graduates or those wishing to progress quickly. Salaries will vary from one company to the next but it is usual for recruitment businesses to pay consultants a basic salary plus some sort of performance- related bonus or commission.
What qualities do you need to make a good recruitment consultant?
- Be ambitious & confident
- Be goal orientated
- Be tenacious
- Have good interpersonal & communication skills
- Be a good team player
- Be able to handle multiple priorities
- Be a good listener
- Be a good problem solver
- Be able to work to targets and deadlines
- Enjoy responsibility and working in a high pressure environment
