How to become a recruitment consultant

How to become a recruitment consultant

What is a recruitment Consultant?

Recruitment consultants find candidates to fill temporary and permanent positions in the corporate world.  You'll attract candidates by creating job advertisements for use in a range of media, as well as networking and headhunting.

A Recruitment Consultant's daily duties could include:

• using business development and networking to attract business from clients
• visiting clients develop positive relationships
• placing adverts in a range of media, such as newspapers and websites.
• using social media to advertise positions, attract candidates and build relationships
• identifying and approaching suitable candidates who may already be in work
• using candidate databases to match the right person to the client's vacancy
• receiving and reviewing applications and managing interviews 
• briefing the candidate about the responsibilities, salary and benefits of the job
• preparing CVs and correspondence to forward to clients regarding suitable applicants
• organising interviews for candidates as requested by the client
• informing candidates about the results of interviews
• negotiating pay and salary rates and finalising arrangements between clients and candidates
• working towards and exceeding targets that may relate to the number of candidates placed, a value to be billed to clients or business leads generated

Salary

Salaries vary across sectors and locations, but typically include a basic salary plus a performance-related bonus. This can either be an individual, team or branch bonus. Basic salaries are highest in London.
Some vacancies advertise high OTE (on-target earning) salaries even for trainees. Promise of an initial high salary depends on your sales performance.
Trainee recruitment consultants start on a basic annual salary of £15,000 to £20,000.
Recruitment consultants' average salaries are around £22,000 to £28,000, with senior consultants earning in the region of £28,000 to £35,000, excluding bonuses or commission.

Other benefits include a company car, mobile phones, laptops, pension schemes, social functions and rewards for the top billing consultant or department.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Qualifications

You won’t necessarily need a degree to become a Recruitment Consultant, some agencies offer full training for candidates with the right skills.  However, a specific qualification like the HR & Recruitment Consultant CPD course or the Recruitment Consultant course may help you get started, and previous sales experience would be a definite plus.