Recruitment consultant

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Administration, business and management
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Career outlook for recruitment consultant

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£16,000

Experienced

£40,000


Currently employed in Scotland

14,500

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would help organisations and companies find staff with the right skills.You’d match people who are looking for a job to suitable vacancies.

You would work for a recruitment agency, which would be paid by companies and organisations when you help them get the right staff. You’d also speak to lots of individual job seekers so that you have a large number of people who you could put forward for suitable vacancies.

You would:

  • Take details of vacancies from employers
  • Interview and test individuals so you know what their skills are
  • Match candidates to suitable jobs
  • Screen and shortlist candidates for employers
  • Build good relationships with employers
  • Keep in touch with job seekers who use your agency
  • Keep records of clients, employers and vacancies
  • Negotiate your agency’s fees
  • Approach companies to persuade them to use your services
  • Find and approach people for executive or specialist jobs (known as head hunting)

There are different kinds of employment agencies you could work for, dealing with permanent or temporary work at all levels in many different industries.

This can be a high-pressure role, as you might need to meet targets for the number of vacancies you deal with or the number of people you get into jobs.

Working conditions

Hours

You would typically work standard office hours, 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. In some jobs you may need to work outside office hours, contacting clients or interviewing candidates.

Environment

The work is mainly office-based.

Travel

You would spend some of your time visiting your client companies.

UK employment status

Full-time

80%

Part-time

16%

Self employed

4%

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Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.

  • Negotiating
  • Making decisions
  • Developing a plan
  • Attention to detail
  • Verbal communication
  • Written communication
  • Building relationships
  • Researching

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Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Foundation Apprenticeships

Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.

Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.

Qualifications

There are no set qualifications to enter this job though relevant experience is usually required.

Many applicants have a degree (SCQF 9/10); this can be in any subject but human resources, marketing and public relations may be particularly helpful.

Useful subjects

  • English (required by most employers) 
  • Administrative subjects
  • Business
  • ICT
  • Maths.

Languages may be important for some roles.

Helpful to have

Many employers now look for sales experience.