Recruitment consultant : Career development

Typically, you will start work with a recruitment agency either as a trainee recruitment consultant or as a recruitment resourcer, depending on the size of the company. Both roles are entry level and include receive on-the-job training.

As a trainee recruitment consultant, you will be given a sales target in the first three months and progression will depend on your achieving your target. As a recruitment resource, your role will be to support recruitment consultants by sourcing new candidates for vacancies. You will be given a target for the number of new candidates you should find. As both roles are target driven, your progression is mainly based on you achieving your target over a period of three months to a year, during which time you will continue to receive training and mentoring. In terms of structure, there are relatively few levels of management in consultancy because of the individual target-driven culture.

Those interested in developing their career in recruitment may find professional qualifications and/or individual membership of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) useful, though this is not essential for career progression.

Opportunities for career development in recruitment depend on your willingness to progress, and the size and structure of your employing agency. With a strong performance, it is possible to progress to senior consultant and then to branch manager.

Further progression from consultant is usually to senior consultant or account manager, which might occur after a minimum of three years' experience. Progression to team leader or managerial positions will require enhanced people management skills and financial ability, but your key abilities will still lie in consultancy.

If you do not have management aspirations, recognition may come in the form of developing your own market, becoming involved in training new recruits or specialising in a specific area, such as executives, or a specific industry.