How to get in
Recruitment specialist roles are usually filled by those who have gained experience in a general HR role, before choosing to specialise in recruitment. These specialist roles tend to arise within larger employers, where staff turnover is high and dedicated teams are in place to deal with recruitment. Within smaller organisations, recruitment will normally fall within the remit of an HR officer or similar.
What it involves
A recruitment officer will normally assist with all aspects of the recruitment process, from compiling job descriptions and posting vacancies, through to dealing with those leaving the organisation, transferring or going on maternity leave. You may also be involved with the interview and induction processes.
A recruitment manager will tend to focus on the same areas as the officer role, but involvement will be at a much more senior level. Your main responsibilities will include development and implementation of recruitment policy and procedures, benchmarking recruitment and retention, analyses of recruitment data, selection and management of recruitment agencies, including maintaining any preferred-supplier list, co-ordinating the induction process, and providing advice and support to the rest of the management team.
Moving up
A CIPD qualification will be of benefit and help you to progress, but knowledge and understanding are the key aspects. Gaining in-depth practical experience at recruitment officer level should provide you with the skills and knowledge to enable you to move into a more senior role, and there is a constant demand for skilled recruitment professionals within large organisations.
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