How to Become a Recruiter and Placement Specialist
A recruiter and placement specialist is a professional within the field of human resources, who acts as a bridge connecting employers with qualified individuals to fill their employment needs. In order to become a successful recruiter and placement specialist, you will need to blend an education, a well-developed skillset, experience in the field of human resources, and networking.
Education Requirements for Recruiters and Placement Specialist
While a bachelor’s degree is not necessarily a requirement to becoming a recruiter and placement specialist, it is highly recommended and the fastest track to becoming a well-paid professional in the field. Experts recommend degrees in human resources, business administration, psychology, or a related field. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another field, but desire to fortify your BA with field-related courses, look into professional certification courses, in specialized areas, at reputable institutions. Many revered institutions of higher education offer online certifications for those with their bachelor’s or master’s degrees. Having various certifications from respected universities can only help you in becoming an in-demand recruiter and placement specialist.
If you have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree, begin immediately to find a college to meet your needs. Make sure to research the institutions thoroughly to ascertain their reputations in the collegiate community, whether they are accredited, and read reviews as to their suitability for your goals. Online programs are available from some of the most respected colleges and universities, and of course, there are traditional on-campus options. If you cannot financially afford to attend a four-year program initially, consider attending a junior or community college to satisfy your general education requirements. One important thing to remember—make sure your credits from the junior or community college will transfer to the 4-year college you are interested in eventually attending.
Always keep in mind your end goal of having the job you dream about and see your education as stepstones on the path.
Develop Your Skillset
Much of your job will entail making assessments regarding both employers and their job offerings, as well as of those who may or may not be suited for those positions. Here are some of the skills you will need to develop:
1. Written Communication Skills.
In today’s fast paced world, much of what is communicated is done in writing. In fact, in some ways, the first time you meet someone will be in a written format. Having superior writing skills is you leg up to making that all-important first impression. If writing is not something which comes easily to you, look at online courses in grammar, essay writing and English.
2. Verbal Communication Skills.
In order to connect candidates and hiring managers, you will need to have a modicum of verbal communication with the individuals involved. Being able to professionally communicate on the telephone and in person will be one of the keys to success as a recruiter and placement specialist. If you are shy or have hesitations with speaking with people either on the phone or in person, consider taking a course in public speaking or other similar courses to assist you in learning how to best communicate with others. A quick internet search will display all the options available to you, either through online instruction or in person.
3. Relationship Building
Essentially, a recruiter and placement specialist is someone who has mastered the art of professional relationships. In order to seamlessly connect employers with those seeking jobs, you must be able to forge relationships with both parties. Long-term relationships are invaluable in the field and learning how to build professional relationships will be essential. Take time to learn how to build relationships and maintain them.
4. Learn the Software
In order to manage job postings, track applicants, screen resumes, schedule interviews and become familiar with hiring managers, there are a number of software programs with which you should acquaint yourself. One of these is Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) by companies like Greenhouse, Lever, Workday Recruiting, and Bullhorn. Another is Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems, platformed by Salesforce, HubSpot and Zoho CRM. Begin now to familiarize yourself with what is used in the industry, and you will be one step closer to reaching your goal of becoming a recruiter and placement specialist.
Experience in the Field of Recruiters and Placement Specialists
The best way to get experience which will lead to becoming a successful recruiter and placement specialist is to seek out entry-level positions in human resources. Your time will be well spent in the HR department, finding out firsthand how professionals conduct business. Another option is to find an internship program at a professional corporation. These internships are plentiful with major companies, and typically last 10-12 weeks during the summer. Some of these internships are paid, and lead to eventually being hired by the company. The way to find both entry-level jobs and internships is by networking in professional organizations and trade associations.
Networking Via Professional Organizations and Trade Associations
One of the keys to becoming a recruiter and placement specialist is to become a member of a professional organization or trade association. There you will have opportunities galore in networking with those who are already successful in the field, earn certifications, have access to job boards and internships, attend events and keep abreast with all the latest developments in the field.
1. National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS) https://www.naps360.org/
In their own words, “NAPS is dedicated to advancing the recruiting and staffing industry through education, certification, and advocacy. They offer certification programs, training courses, and events for recruiters.” Their website focuses on education, with yearlong webinars, newsletters, news, and the like, as well as elevating and inspiring via annual conferences, presentations, and social connections.
2. Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM): While SHRM is not exclusively for recruiters, it is a leading professional association for HR professionals, including recruiters. In their own words, “SHRM is a member-driven catalyst for creating better workplaces where people and businesses thrive together. As the trusted authority on all things work, SHRM is the foremost expert, researcher, advocate, and thought leader on issues and innovations impacting today’s evolving workplaces. With nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries, SHRM touches the lives of more than 362 million workers and their families globally.
Job Outlook for Recruiters and Placement Specialist
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (https://www.bls.gov/), Recruiter and Placement Specialists have promising opportunities for the time period spanning 2022-2032. The field is growing by 6% per year, which is the average growth rate. Government experts predict that each year over 78,700 openings will become available (between 2022-2032), due to replacing workers who leave the profession, leave the work force and/or retire. Over the ten-year time span (2022-2032) it is projected that a total of 51,400 new positions will be created. In 2022 there were 874,500 individuals working as recruiter and placement specialists. The median pay per year was $64,240, while the median hourly wage was $30.88. (As a reminder, the “median” amount is not an average, it is the middle value of a dataset. For the U.S. BLS definition go to: https://www.bls.gov/cps/definitions.htm#medianearnings) .
By pursuing your education, participating in an internship or having experience from an entry-level job, developing your skillset and networking with others in the field, you will be on your way to a prosperous and satisfying career as a recruiter and placement specialist.
