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Permalink Reply by Slouch on April 19, 2007 at 5:33pm

The recruiting industry always needs more good recruiters. My advice would be to go and work for a recruiting company that does well. Learn the tricks of the trade and never lose focus. You can also look at ERE.net everyday. There is some great stuff there

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Permalink Reply by Sherry Karr on May 2, 2007 at 10:29pm

Slouch and Karen have some good advice. NAPS has some great resources. I discovered ERE about 3 or 4 years ago, and learned more from from that site than I did in the training I received at the agency where I started my career.

I suggest also looking up and see when local recruiting groups in your area meet (both formal and informal). This can be a great way to meet recruiters and chat with them and get some advice face to face.

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Permalink Reply by Suzanne Levison on May 30, 2008 at 9:24am

I agree with Slouch about starting with a solid recruiting agency. One that offers great in house sales training.

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Permalink Reply by Brian J. Anthony on May 30, 2008 at 9:38am

I have to agree with Slouch on this one. We always need more good recruiters. Also "cut your teeth" at an established agency that provides great training. I started at a family friend's mom and pop agency then left for one of the biggest agencies out there. I hated it but the training was unbelievable. I also developed a lot of great relationships from this agency and now currently work for my old BM in my current role. This is the best job in the world if its for you. Good luck.

BA

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Permalink Reply by Corinne May on May 31, 2008 at 8:37pm

Hi there. I agree with slouch. I've been in the Talent Acquisition industry for 15 years, and it never ceases to amaze me how much it has evolved. Best bet...get into the school of hard knocks....start with a national recruiting firm, and get yourself recognized and built a network. If it's meant to be....things will fall into place for you.

Please feel free to consider me a virtual mentor if need be ;O)

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Permalink Reply by Simon on June 2, 2008 at 7:04pm

well its really good to see a person like you Corinne who has about 15 years of experience , coming forward with actuals....i wanna discuss more about recruiting n staffing .....can you help me?

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Permalink Reply by Annette Frigard on June 24, 2008 at 6:17pm

Hello,
I'd recommend starting with a company that has a good training program, such as an nationwide outfit that specializes in either contract staffing or executive search. The main thing is to get the fundemental training and a good introduction to the profession.

Annette

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Permalink Reply by Simon on June 24, 2008 at 6:20pm

Yes Annette...I agree with you....fundamental training n good introduction program is really important to get started.

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Permalink Reply by pam claughton on June 24, 2008 at 6:45pm

I agree that starting with a good agency is the way to go. That way you get all the training and learn on their dime as well. I would also advise you to interview at multiple agencies in your area and really get a sense of their culture and way that they work and training. Agencies vary tremendously. I worked for one that was very laid back in some ways but had phenomenal training. I knew from talking with other recruiters that other agencies were more regimented and structured, such as monitoring and counting calls, insisting on certain number of metrics per day. Not a bad thing at all, just a difference in style. Some people need that kind of structure while others work better in a more free-flow environment with good training and mentors. When you meet the people you'll get a sense of if the fit is there.

Realize that this is not a 'get rich quick' kind of job, although the income potential can be staggering. The first year is a building year. Plan to work really hard, come in early, stay late, go above and beyond. You are planting seeds in your first year that will pay off in future years. The first six months you're learning about this job. At the end of year one you'll realize how little you knew at six months in. :) Be patient and focus on building your business. If you work as hard in years two and three as you did in year one, you will do very well. It is common to double or triple your income in year two and three....but know that year one won't be super lucrative...and plan for it. Keep your expenses down so you are not stressed out financially. If you love the job, and you'll know in a few months if you do, then the money will come. Good luck! Pam

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Permalink Reply by Simon on June 24, 2008 at 6:50pm

Pam what you said makes a great deal of sense ...well Good agency is always symbolises Good Quality experienced Recruiters...."if you move together with them you willl become one like them"

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Permalink Reply by Gina Buchanan on June 25, 2008 at 8:59am

It is a great industry to be in. As with the others who responded, getting involved with professional organizations are a great way to network and get trainning. Our Local Chapter has an involved membership here is Wisconsin. go to www.waps.org. There are recruiters who are in the health care industry that are good source for you to call or email..

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Permalink Reply by Ian Millar on June 25, 2008 at 10:45am

Mo, there are a few talents and skills you must have, in order to love this field.

1. You need strong computer skills and strong people skills.
2. You have to be the kind of person who is always willing to do more and work harder, when the average person wants to quit. You will need to be willing to work late and start early. Many times a good recruiter must take the work home and work after dinner or on the weekend. There is always a lot of pressure in this work. It is very rare when the work is slow.
3. You must be kind and patient with people, when they don't deserve it. We work in a field where people will mistreat you, but you must respond cordially each time anyway. If you lack skills in diplomacy, you probably will not like this job.
4. You must be mentally tough. Sometimes you have to do hard things. People will beg and plead and coerce you to get an interview or a job and you must be capable of telling them they are unfit for the job, in a polite way. You must be able to keep looking, keep calling, keep interviewing until you find the right person. The point of being a recruiter is being the person who can find the right employee. If companies are willing to give the money away, they don't need us. They hire recruiters because the people they want to hire are hard to find.
5. You must be willing to work within legal boundaries that can make the job difficult. Never the less, you have to be very diligent in working within those boundaries, no matter what your clients say, or your company manager says.
6. You have to be willing to try new things all the time, to find qualified candidates; but you have to be willing and able to work within a consistent structure. One mistake can cost your employer a lot of money.
7. Finally, and most importantly, you must be honest. Honesty is absolutely vital in this field. Recruiters without integrity give everyone a bad name.

The one thing I will agree with in this thread very heartily is where slouch said "The recruiting industry always needs more good recruiters". The emphasis is on GOOD. There are many people recruiting who are not very good at it. It has to be a professional commitment to work, learn, excel and stay consistent in the work.

Getting in to the job is not easy, because so many employers have seen so many people who asked the same question you did. Some people will say get a PHR or a certificate. I think that is more for the person who wants to work as an HR generalist. Recruiting is different.

Personally, the place I would start, if I were you, is by going to AIRS (http://www.airsdirectory.com/mc/home.guid) and get their training. You may want to take a basic course in human resource management, so that you learn the law regarding human resources and hiring. ERE.net is another good source for basics.

Learning the law is vital, as Karen said. But there are many more things to learn than just the basics of preventing discrimination. Human resources are as highly regulated as banking. One mistake, and you may find yourself in court defending against a lawsuit.

Good luck.

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