If you have strong communication, sales, and networking skills, a recruiting position can be an ideal fit. Recruiting jobs have the potential to be lucrative and rewarding, but competition for open positions is often steep. By searching strategically, you can increase your chances of finding the perfect job as a recruiter. According to the salary center on Nexxt, the effort can pay off. The average annual salary for a recruiter in the US, across all industries, is $58,479.
Before you start the search for recruiting jobs, it'd be best to identify a target industry that fits your skill set. Recruiters must have in-depth knowledge of their industries, including influential people, key corporate players, challenges, networking opportunities, professional organizations, and top college programs. If you've spent years working as a human resources professional in a specific industry, you might want to start there. Your existing knowledge and experience can be enormous assets during the job search.
Once you have identified an industry, make a list of the things that qualify you for recruiting jobs. List your past recruiting experiences, participation in local business networks, ties to your college alumni groups, education, and human resources positions. Consider all professional and personal factors that might set you apart from other candidates. Be prepared to turn each item into a selling tool during a job interview. If you're on the steering committee for a professional organization, for example, you might sell yourself to employers as someone with ready access to up-and-coming professionals in the industry. This preparatory step is small but crucial. Recruiters are constantly selling employees to companies and companies to employees; by positioning yourself as an attractive prospect, you can demonstrate your sales skills.
While you're considering becoming a recruiter, take time to brush up on the skills that are critical for recruitment professionals. Familiarize yourself with the latest crop of niche employment websites, and speak with local college career centers. Look into the latest HR technology, candidate tracking software, and online networking sites. Focus on data-driven hiring systems; according to the American Society for Training & Development, big data technology is increasingly useful in identifying and hiring top candidates. When you're interviewing for recruiting jobs, in-depth knowledge of technology trends in hiring can help you stand out from other candidates.
When you're ready to apply for recruiting jobs, you need to know where to look. One option is to search for recruiting jobs on Nexxt, and adjust your location settings to find recruiting jobs near you. You can also go directly to major companies in your industry. If you want to be an in-house recruiter, target large corporations. Alternatively, you can apply to employment agencies that specialize in your industry, or visit individual company websites to look for job postings.
As you search for open recruiting jobs, make use of your professional network and your HR connections. Reach out to contacts in your target industry, letting them know you're looking for a recruiting position and asking them to notify you of open positions. Attend networking events, making your intentions known to everyone you meet. When you're interested in becoming a recruiter, a personal recommendation or referral can be a powerful factor.
As an HR professional, you have a leg up on other candidates in the search for recruiting jobs. By using your insider hiring knowledge and playing up your industry-specific skills, you can find the perfect job.
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