What is an Customer Recruitment Consultant?
Recruitment consultants need to possess great people skills and the motivation and drive to chase high on-target earnings (OTE) and performance-related bonuses.
As a recruitment consultant, you are responsible for understanding client company vacancies and their recruitment needs and requirements. You then have the task of finding the ideal candidate and matching them to that role. Your role will be centred on relationship-building with both candidates and clients to help build your portfolio.
In order to find the perfect candidates for your client’s vacancies, you will have to write advertising copy to share on a range of media. You will also need to be comfortable with networking, headhunting and using your current network to gain referrals. You will assess candidates, interview them and run background checks to then finally match them to your clients.
You will also need to advise your candidates and the clients that you work with on salary levels, training requirements and career opportunities.
Responsibilities
As a recruitment consultant, you’ll act as the bridge between clients and candidates. It’s a demanding but rewarding role with a wide-ranging set of responsibilities:
- Attracting business from companies using sales, business development, marketing techniques, and networking.
- Building and developing positive relationships by visiting clients.
- Developing a deep understanding of clients, their industry, and what they do, as well as understanding their work culture and environment.
- Advertising job vacancies by creating and posting adverts.
- Using social media to advertise vacancies and positions, attract candidates, network and build relationships.
- Identifying suitable candidates who may already be in work through ‘Headhunting’.
- Matching the right person to the job by using candidate databases.
- Managing the recruitment process from reviewing applications to creating a shortlist of candidates for the client.
- Requesting references and assessing applicants.
- Informing and discussing with candidates about the responsibilities, salary, and benefits of the job.
- Supporting and creating CVs and communications to forward to clients regarding suitable applicants.
- Organising interviews of candidates as requested by the client and managing the interview process.
- Negotiating pay and salary rates and finalising job offers.
- Advise to both clients and candidates on pay rates, training, and career progression.
- Reviewing recruitment policies to ensure the effectiveness of selection techniques and recruitment programmes.
- Working towards and exceeding targets related to the number of candidates placed, value billed to clients, or business leads generated.
Salary
Starting salaries for a Recruitment Consultant will vary depending on sector and location. However, your salary will most likely include a basic salary plus a bonus or commission that is performance-related. This might be an individual, team or branch bonus. In general, salaries will be considerably higher if you are working and in London.
- A typical basic salary for trainee recruitment consultants is between £15,000 to £20,000 on average.
- A fully trained recruitment consultant can expect to earn between £22,000 to £28,000 per annum, with senior positions earning in the region of £29,000 to £36,0000 – this is excluding bonuses or commission.
- Managers with between 10 to 15 years’ experience can earn more than £40,000 as a basic salary.
- When bonuses and commission are taken into account, the total average salary can increase to in the region of £37,000 for consultants and £60,000+ for managers.
You may also be eligible for other company benefits such as ongoing training, a company car, mobile phones, laptops etc. You will also have the opportunity to attend regular company awards and outings for top billing consultants.
Working hours
You can expect to work the typical 9am to 5pm but you will be required to work out of hours if your clients or candidates need you. Therefore, you should be prepared to work both early morning and late evenings.
It is possible to become self-employed or a freelancer, but it’s usually only for consultants who have expert knowledge of a specialist field or sector, or for people who are looking to start their own recruitment companies.
You do sometimes have the opportunity to take career breaks, but these are rare due to the fast-paced nature of recruitment and the constant flow of job vacancies.
What to expect
- As a recruitment consultant, you’ll have the opportunity to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- You’ll often be interacting with a variety of people, from job seekers to hiring managers and executives.
- There may be opportunities for travel, particularly if you’re working with clients in different regions or countries.
- The job can be demanding, with long hours and tight deadlines, but it can also be rewarding when you help someone land their dream job or find the perfect candidate for a role.
- The work can be varied, with no two days quite the same. You may be conducting interviews, attending client meetings, reviewing CVs, or using social media to source candidates.
- Many recruitment agencies offer training and development opportunities, which can help you advance your career and acquire new skills.
- If you’re looking for a role that offers good earning potential, a recruitment consultant position can be a good option, as you may receive commission or performance-related bonuses.
Qualifications
You do not need a degree to become a recruitment consultant. Recruitment consultant roles are also open to graduates regardless of degree subject. Rather than qualifications, recruitment companies are looking for candidates with good people skills and those who are determined and driven by sales and KPIs.
Yuo can increase your changes of getting a job within a field relating to your degree by applying to an agency that specialises in recruiting for the industry that is related to your degree. Postgraduate study is not necessary, you will probably find that gaining relevant skills and experience will be more valuable to employers.
Skills
Skills needed:
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with clients and candidates
- Sales skills and the ability to persuade and influence others
- Good organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities
- Attention to detail and the ability to work accurately and efficiently
- Confidence and resilience to handle rejection and challenges
- A target-driven mindset and the ability to work under pressure
- Good judgement and decision-making skills
- Flexibility and adaptability to changing situations and environments
- Knowledge of recruitment practices and regulations
- Good IT skills, including proficiency in using databases, spreadsheets, and social media platforms.
Be prepared to work in a high-pressure environment that can be demanding but very rewarding.
Work experience
Work experience will go a long way when interviewing for a recruitment consultant position.
Having experience in sales, marketing, or any other customer-facing roles can prove to be beneficial in kickstarting your career as a recruitment consultant. Additionally, being involved in student societies demonstrates your communication skills and can be viewed favourably by recruitment consultancies.
Even if you lack experience in the recruitment industry, you can still be considered for recruitment consultant roles if you possess the right combination of skills and personal qualities. Therefore, it’s essential to highlight your relevant skills and strengths in your application.
Career prospects
When entering the industry you will have to start at a trainee level. As the role is KPI-driven, progression in the company will largely depend on your performance and whether you are meeting and exceeding set targets.
Career development will depend on the size and structure of the company, if you are working for a small consultancy you may need to move to a larger organisation in order to progress. Your ability to sustain a strong performance is vital.
Employers
Recruitment consultancy is a large industry in the UK, employing nearly 150,000 people across various business sectors, such as logistics, IT, teaching, marketing, finance, and engineering. Employers range from national and international recruitment agencies to small local firms, and from sector-specific agencies to those that recruit for many sectors.
Large consultancies like Adecco, Randstad, and Michael Page have branches worldwide, covering a range of sectors including marketing, accounting, secretarial, and IT. Medium-sized consultancies usually have branches nationwide, while small consultancies often have only one office, providing a broad-based service to a variety of local employers.
Look for job vacancies at:
- Careers in Recruitment
- People Management Jobs
- Recruiter
- Recruitment International
- Hays Recruitment
- 4 Recruitment Jobs
- Adecco
- Randstad
- Manpower
- The Recruitment Job
- Reed Specialist Recruitment
- Michael Page
- Pertemps
- Search Consultancy
- Brook Street
- Pertemps
- Blue Arrow
- Pertemps
- Office Angels
- Morgan Hunt
- Robert Walters
- Brookson Group
- Page Personnel
- Hayes Personnel
- Rullion
- Berry Recruitment.
(R2R) known as “recruitment to recruitment”, is a more specialised sector for recruitment companies who find candidates for recruitment jobs.
Professional development
You will have the opportunity for on-the-job training as a trainee consultant. You will also get continued training throughout your career.
Short courses on specific aspects of the industry, run in-house or by external training providers, may cover:
- Business planning
- Candidate sourcing and selection
- Designing an assessment centre
- Employment law
- Diversity and inclusion
- Headhunting
- Interviewing skills
- Negotiation and sales techniques
- Psychometric assessment
- Running a payroll
- Employer branding and marketing
- Human resources management
- Performance management and appraisal
- Social media for recruitment
- Talent acquisition and management
- Time management and organization skills
- Workforce planning and analytics.
You can also get further training through the chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC). You would study your course while working, rather than as a requirement to enter.
Related Courses
A degree is not needed to become a recruitment consultant. However, if you are going to university, recruitment roles are open to graduates of all subjects. Some higher national diploma or degree subjects may be particularly relevant. Below are some of the courses on offer that might help bolster your CV.
Undergraduate related courses:
- BA(Hons) Business with Entrepreneurship
- BA(Hons) Business Management
- BA(Hons) Business Studies
- BA(Hons) Business and Finance
- BA(Hons) International Business
Postgraduate related courses:
Students of the MSc in Project Management programme will gain an understanding of current issues in project management through engaging with contemporary theory and case studies. Over the course of three terms (1-year, full time), students will develop their critical thinking, problem-solving and analysis skills through a range of compulsory modules and electives. Available modules include change management and leadership, strategic management and sustainability, and professional practice. Studying these modules allows students to gain a clear insight into the practicalities of project management in different industries and prepare them for a career in this field.
Other related courses:
- MSc Accounting and Finance
- MSc Management with Enterprise and Business Growth
- MSc Management with International Business and Development
FAQ Summary
Recruitment consultants need to possess great people skills and the motivation and drive to chase high on-target earnings (OTE) and performance-related bonuses.
A typical basic salary for trainee recruitment consultants is between £15,000 to £20,000 on average.
A fully trained recruitment consultant can expect to earn between £22,000 to £28,000 per annum, with senior consultants earning in the region of £28,000 to £35,0000 – this is excluding bonuses or commission.
You do not need a degree to become a recruitment consultant. Recruitment consultant roles are also open to graduates regardless of degree subject. Rather than qualifications, recruitment companies are looking for candidates with good people skills and those who are determined and driven by sales and KPIs. Applying to an agency that specialises in a market or industry related to your degree subject, for example, IT or engineering may increase your chances.
