Recruitment consultant : Training

On-the-job training is offered to trainee consultants for the first few months. Larger firms offer induction or skills training for new staff members entering as trainee recruitment consultants. Short courses on specific aspects of the industry, run in-house or by external training providers, may cover:

• interviewing skills;
• employment law;
• running a payroll;
• business planning;
• negotiation and sales techniques;
• psychometric assessment;
• headhunting;
• designing an assessment centre.

A range of commercial training providers offer short courses specific to the skills required in the industry. It is also worth noting that the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) run personal development training for members.

Professional qualifications are also available through the REC and the CIPD. The REC offers three nationally-recognised professional qualifications in collaboration with Middlesex University Business School:

• The certificate in recruitment practice - can be useful if you are new to the industry or have experience without formal training. You can study for the certificate by distance learning or through an intensive three-day course.
• The foundation award (Fda) in recruitment practice - is a specialist qualification suitable for anyone involved in finding, assessing and selecting staff. Holders of the foundation award are eligible to access year two of the degree in recruitment practice. The diploma can be completed by flexible learning or through London-based evening classes.
• The degree in recruitment practice - is a joint REC and Middlesex University Business School initiative started in 2005. The degree can be completed by open learning, providing greater flexibility than a standard distance learning programme.

In practice, recruitment agencies do not consider professional qualifications essential, but if you wishing to gain a thorough understanding of professional practice and the industry you may find them valuable in the longer term. Personal membership of the REC is not a requirement, but can be of benefit in keeping your knowledge up to date and demonstrating professionalism to clients.