Recruitment consultant

Recruitment consultants help employers find the right staff, and match people to temporary and permanent jobs.

• Starter salary£25,000 a year
• Experienced£40,000 a year
• Typical hours37 to 40 a week

What you'll do

As a recruitment consultant, you could:

• contact companies and organisations to generate new business
• handle enquiries from companies looking to use your service
• interview, test and match candidates to suitable jobs
• co-ordinate pre-employment checks on candidates, such as DBS
• meet targets for the number of people placed into jobs
• keep accurate records of clients, employers and vacancies
• promote your agency's services through online channels
• negotiate your agency's fees
• 'headhunt' - find and approach candidates for executive or specialist jobs

Working environment

You could work in an office.

Skills and knowledge you'll need

You'll need:

• knowledge of human resources and employment law
• administration skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to work on your own
• business management skills
• customer service skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

How to become a recruitment consultant

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

University

You can enter recruitment with a degree in most subjects, although some employers may prefer a subject related to the industry, like:

• human resources
• marketing
• public relations
• business development

Some recruitment agencies specialise in a particular type of work and you may be expected to have a relevant degree or industry experience in that area.

For example, a degree in pharmacy or a background in pharmaceutical sales could help you get into pharmaceutical recruitment.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could study for a college qualification, which may help you to get a job as an assistant in a recruitment agency.

Courses include:

• business studies
• business administration
• T Level in Management and Administration

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Recruiter Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship with a recruitment company.

This can take up to 2 years to complete and is a mix of on-the-job learning and time spent with a training provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work

You could start as an admin assistant in a recruitment agency and work your way up through on-the-job training and promotion.

Volunteering

You could develop your understanding of the recruitment industry by getting some experience. Whether you're studying or looking for work, you could try:

• work experience
• internships
• temporary employment

Getting relevant work experience in areas like marketing, sales or public relations could also help you develop some of the skills needed for this role.

Direct application

You could apply directly to become a recruitment consultant if you have experience in a similar field, like human resources or business development.

If you have knowledge of a particular industry, it can be useful for working in specialist agencies like those involved in social care, engineering, construction or IT recruitment.

Career path and progression

You can develop your career by doing on-the-job training through a professional body like the Recruitment & Employment Federation .

With experience, you could move into business development or management, or set up your own recruitment agency.

Career tips

Whatever your qualifications, you'll be expected to have great sales skills and be able to communicate with people at many different levels.

You'll also need excellent customer service and teamworking skills.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Recruitment & Employment Confederation for professional development, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Guides for this industry

• Recruitment: pay, interviews and getting started →

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