Recruitment consultant : Job description

A recruitment consultant is responsible for attracting candidates and matching them to temporary or permanent positions jobs with client companies. The jobs may vary from entry-level roles to directors and executives.

Recruitment consultants work with client companies, building relationships in order to gain a better understanding of their recruitment needs and requirements. They attract candidates by drafting advertising copy for use in a wide range of media, as well as by networking, headhunting and through referrals. They screen candidates, interview them, do background checks, and finally match candidates to their clients.

Consultants also provide advice to both clients and candidates on salary levels, training requirements and career opportunities.

Typical work activities

A recruitment consultant's role is demanding and diverse and involves:

• using sales, business development, marketing techniques and networking in order to attract business from client companies;
• building relationships with clients;
• developing a good understanding of client companies, their industry, what they do and their work culture and environment;
• advertising vacancies appropriately by drafting and placing adverts in a wide range of media (e.g., newspapers, websites, magazines);
• headhunting - identifying and approaching suitable candidates;
• completing a search of the candidate database to find the right person for the employer’s vacancy;
• receiving and reviewing applications, managing interviews and short-listing candidates;
• requesting references and checking the suitability of applicants before submitting their details to the employer;
• briefing the candidate about the responsibilities, salary and benefits of the job in question;
• preparing CV’s and correspondence to forward to clients in respect of suitable applicants;
• organising interviews for candidate as requested by the client;
• informing candidates about the results of their interviews;
• negotiating pay and salary rates and finalising arrangements between client and candidates;
• offering advice to both clients and candidates on pay rates, training and career progression;
• reviewing recruitment policies to ensure effectiveness of selection techniques and recruitment programmes.