The UK's official graduate careers website

Login to My Prospects

Not a member yet? Join now
 

Search site
 

Recruitment consultant : Salary and conditions

More in this section

  1. Job description
  2. Salary and conditions
  3. Entry requirements
  4. Training
  5. Career development
  6. Employers and vacancy …
  7. Related jobs

Print all pages in this section

Case studies

  • Trainee recruitment consultants start on a basic salary of £14,000 - £20,000.
  • Recruitment consultants' average salaries are £26,000 with senior consultants earning an average of £32,000, excluding bonuses or commission.
  • Managers (after 10-15 years’ experience) can earn anything from £40,000+ excluding commission.
  • Salaries vary across sectors and locations and basic salaries are highest in London.
  • Once bonuses and commission are included, the total average salary increases to £38,000 for consultants and £60,000 for managers (all salary data collected Oct 2009).
  • Apart from bonuses, other benefits may include training, mobile phones, laptops, pension schemes, team drinks, social functions and end-of-year rewards for the top billing consultant or department.
  • Long working hours are common and may include evenings.
  • Work is office based but time is also spent outside the office, meeting with clients and interviewing candidates.
  • Self-employment or freelance work is possible, but generally only for consultants who have expert knowledge of a very specialist sector.
  • Career breaks are a possibility in certain circumstances, but are uncommon due to the dynamic nature of the sector.
  • The gender balance in the profession is fairly even overall, but varies from sector to sector. For example, women are predominant in the hospitality and education sectors. Men earn significantly more than their female colleagues, regardless of the sector.
  • There are opportunities for recruitment consultants across the UK with more jobs available in London because it is the main centre for business.
  • Smart personal appearance and professional behaviour are very important since the role involves lots of meetings with clients and conducting interviews.
  • The job may be stressful as it is sales oriented, so targets have to be met.
  • Relocation is not very common but depends on the size of the employing agency.
  • Travel within the working day may be required, depending on the industry and geographic focus of the agency. Overseas travel is unlikely, unless you are working within travel-related industries or for a niche market.
 
AGCAS
Written by Zoe Arch, University of the Arts London
Date: 
November 2009
© Copyright AGCAS & Graduate Prospects Ltd | Disclaimer
 
 
 

This website is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with CSS enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets if you are able to do so.