In today’s labor market, recruiting is crucial, and there aren’t enough recruiters to go around. Recruiting has the potential to pay well, particularly because it is in high demand. Recruiting is a fantastic career opportunity that you may not have thought to consider.

Recruiters help match people with opportunities and fulfill job needs all over the country. They work on behalf of talent to help them fulfill their career ambitions, as well as on behalf of employers to help them power their teams. Sometimes, that need could be a temporary venture, or it could be the dream job of a lifetime. Recruiting is most definitely a rewarding and lucrative career option that you might not know about, so let’s dive into the details of why it could be the ideal career for you. 

 

Recruiting Statistics 

 

Here at Brightwing, we’ve been in the recruitment industry for 49 years, so we know why recruiting is such a great job, but don’t just take our word for it. Check out these recent recruiting statistics:

  • In 2021, the top priorities of recruitment professionals included: improving the quality of hires, increasing retention rates, improving time-to-hire, growing talent, and hiring diverse individuals.
  • According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2020 median pay for recruiters was $63,490 per year or $30.52 per hour. That figure is now likely up from there thanks to high demand and low supply of recruiting talent. Depending on firms’ compensation plans, many recruiters’ pay far exceeds the national median. At Brightwing, for example, the  average compensation for years 1-2 in your recruiting career is $50k; for years 3-5, $75K; and years 6-10, $120K+
  • The recruitment industry is projected to grow 10% from 2020 to 2030.

What’s not to like? Recruiting is in high demand, it pays well, and it’s expected to grow within the next few years.

Now that we’ve piqued your interest in recruiting, let’s discuss what recruiters actually do, the skills you’ll need to be a successful recruiter, and why recruiting is a rewarding career.

 

What Does a Recruiter Do?

 

Depending on the team structure, recruits may operate a full desk – where they spend each day seeking out job opportunities and finding excellent candidates – or they may focus on the candidate side. A recruiter has to be a “people person” through and through. Much of the job depends on relationship-building, so successful recruiters need to enjoy working with individuals and groups.

A person with talents and ambitions is exactly who recruiters look for, and they recognize those qualities because they also have them! Recruiting teams manage the talent acquisition process from start to finish, while facilitating relationships and finding new opportunities. Whether it’s helping someone find their dream job, aiding someone in need and finding them gainful employment, or keeping a small business from going under due to the pressures of our current labor shortage, each part of a recruiter’s job is beneficial and makes a real impact in the lives of others. Recruiters get to experience the joy that comes from helping multiple people and solving problems that nobody else can. 

 

How to Be a Good Recruiter

 

A recruiter’s job is to deeply understand their clients’ needs and then find people whose talents and ambitions match the opportunity. They consult with employers or with their team’s account manager and reach out to qualified candidates who would fit the bill. If you’re asking yourself, “How can I be a good recruiter,” consider the following questions: Do you like working with people? Are you happy helping others? Are you willing to work flexible hours in order to connect with the right people? Do you enjoy working with a sense of urgency? These are important questions to answer as you consider how to become a recruiter. 

 

Top Skills for Successful Recruiters

 

To be a successful recruiter, you should be or have the following:

  • Detail-oriented
  • Marketing skills
  • Communication skills
  • Relationship-building skills
  • Multitasking skills
  • Time management skills
  • Being patient
  • Listening skills
  • Ability to work in a team environment
  • Being reliable

At Brightwing, we can help you develop recruiting skills and set you up for success. In fact, we offer a training and development program designed to help people learn the business of recruiting and launch new careers in recruiting. We’re committed to giving our employees the support they need so their recruiting career takes flight. We invest in our employees and uphold a strong set of values across the organization. 

Why Brightwing? Take it from Isaiah, a junior engineering recruiter who says, “I have long held the view that building relationships is one of the most important things in life. Brightwing gives me the opportunity to do that every single day.”

 

Recruiting Agencies

 

It also helps when you have a fantastic group of people surrounding you in a recruiting agency. An excellent job relies heavily on the people you work with! Any good recruiter can tell you that. That’s why working in a recruiting agency, like Brightwing, is terrific, especially when it’s done with other people who have the same goals and talents. Coworkers who lift one another, work together, and fight for each other are crucial to success in recruiting. Learning to be a good recruiter often comes from being around good recruiters! Recruiting agencies vary, so knowing what each agency might offer in benefits, perks, and other incentives is important.

Just listen to what Chris, a junior recruiter, has to say about Brightwing: “Recruiting at Brightwing lets me turn what I naturally love to do into a career: I love meeting new people, hearing their stories, and helping them start their next chapter. Every day is an opportunity to work with someone to make their life better, and I am excited to be a part of a team whose mission is built around that.”

 

Why Is Recruiting Worth It?

 

It is no secret that many people are unhappy in their current jobs. Somewhere between 40-50% of workers are considering leaving their current jobs! This is leading to a wave of resignations across the country. Companies everywhere are short-staffed, and much of it is due to unhappy workers. Having a job you love isn’t just a myth or a dream. Each and every person deserves a job where they feel valued and proud of their work. As humans, we spend almost a third of our lifespan at our jobs—an estimated 90,000 hours! If you want to feel engaged in meaningful work and like you’re contributing to a meaningful goal, then recruiting may be the ideal career for you!

 

Why Is a Recruiter Needed?

 

One of the biggest problems facing hiring companies is how limited time and energy resources are. If a company employs someone without proper screening, it could be disastrous for them. If an employee takes a job without really understanding it because of finances or other reasons, they may be unhappy in a year or even sooner. 

For companies, a bad hire is a huge waste of money. A lousy candidate-job fit costs time, resources, and sometimes everyone’s sanity. A recruiter helps candidates find jobs quickly and efficiently, while taking the person’s wants and needs into account. On the opposite side, account managers at recruiting firms work with employers to help recruiters understand and find the person that will bring the most value to their organization — and, critically, stick around for the long haul. Sometimes, all you need to find a good hire or a good job is a connection, and that’s what a recruiter provides. 

 

How to Become a Recruiter

 

Becoming a recruiter starts with one simple step: Applying. Find a recruiting company you love, with values that match your own. After you are hired, take time to learn about how to become a recruiter through working with others. Observe and learn! At Brightwing, all new hires receive a full year of training with a mentor, in addition to our Recruiting Development Program. We also offer full benefits and other perks that help our employees to stay happy! Becoming a recruiter starts with an application, so contact us today to see if this could be the place for you. 

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