Career insights: What does a job recruiter do?

I'm curious about what job recruiters do day-to-day. Are they mainly involved in interviewing and hiring, or is there more behind the scenes work? Would love to hear if this is a good career path.

A job recruiter, also often referred to as a talent acquisition specialist, has a multi-faceted role that extends beyond simply interviewing and hiring candidates. In essence, their main function is to identify, engage, screen, and coordinate the hiring of qualified candidates for job openings in the organization they are representing.

There are a few different types of recruiters, each serving a unique role. For instance, in-house recruiters work directly for a company to fill positions, while staffing agency recruiters work for multiple companies at once. There are also executive recruiters who specialize in finding candidates for top-level positions in a company.

Regardless of the type, most recruiters' responsibilities can be broken down into five major categories:

1. Planning: This involves understanding the needs of the hiring organization, defining the job description and qualifications needed, and determining the best places to find potential candidates.

2. Sourcing and Screening: Recruiters will then search for potential candidates using various methods like social media platforms, job posting sites, and networking events. Once candidates apply or are sourced, recruiters will screen them through methods like resume reviews and preliminary phone or video interviews.

3. Coordinating Interviews: If a candidate seems like a fit for the role, the recruiter then sets up an interview with the hiring manager. Some recruiters may also be involved in conducting initial interviews or assisting in interview set up.

4. Offer Negotiation: If the hiring manager wishes to offer the job to the candidate, recruiters often facilitate these negotiations. They may extend the offer and negotiate the salary, benefits, and other aspects of the compensation package.

5. Onboarding: Some recruiters may assist in getting the new hire set up with the company, from filing paperwork to assigning a workplace mentor.

Being a job recruiter requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills, as you'll be interacting with a plethora of different individuals. Some find it to be a rewarding career because recruiters play a central role in helping individuals find jobs and helping organizations find the talent they need to succeed.