As the UK recovers from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, specialists are needed to identify and attract new talents for a variety of industries.
A career in recruitment is lucrative and has longevity, as there will always be people looking for a new job. With automation set to replace up to 35% of jobs in the next 15 years, quality recruiters are needed now more than ever.
Careers in Recruitment
The recruitment industry in the UK is worth over £38.9 billion, and since 2008 the number of specialist recruitment agencies operating across the country has grown on by 27%. There are over 119,000 people employed in the sector, with recruiters last year reported to help place over a million people in temporary or permanent roles.
Job roles within recruitment can often be financially rewarding, and the ‘buzz’ of working in a fast-paced and competitive environment draws in thousands of new workers to the sector every year, each up to the challenge of satisfying their client’s needs.
Some examples of job roles available in recruitment include:
Careers Adviser – Helping people identify new opportunities work, train and educate themselves through personalised support, including CV writing and identifying skills gaps
Management Consultant – Supporting employers by helping them perform and operate more efficiently
Sales Executive – Selling a company’s products or services to other businesses and organisation, and sourcing suitable partnerships
Training and Development Officer – Developing and running an organisations training to better equip its workforce with the skills and knowledge required to perform better
Why Choose a Career in Recruitment?
A career in recruitment is an excellent option for graduates with a range of degree’s, particularly those that don’t naturally guide you into a specific profession. Here are five reasons why you should consider choosing to become a recruiter after graduating:
- High earning potential – Talented recruiters often receive generous financial incentives and bonus schemes. The more people you help get hired, the higher your earnings will be.
- Room for development – Agencies provide detailed and thorough training for their staff and provide opportunities to their employees to further their knowledge and network with key clients.
- Work benefits – Many employers in the industry offer a range of benefits for their staff, ranging from additional pension contributions to a membership at a local gym or health club.
- Positive impact – There can be immense job satisfaction when helping to place a candidate in their dream job, and making a positive impact on people’s lives is one of the most appealing aspects of the role.
- Variety of work – No two days are ever the same, as recruiters meet clients and candidates, attend events or run development sessions for jobseekers with interview guidance.
Graduate Opportunities
With more and more employers and organisations using agencies to help support them when expanding their businesses, it has never been a better time to consider a career in recruitment.
Recruitment roles are open to all graduates, often regardless of degree subject. Rather than specific qualifications, companies in the sector seek candidates with professional ambition, personal qualities, as well as the determination to succeed in a fast-paced and evolving industry.
To succeed in the recruitment industry, employers will look for candidates to be:
- Hard Working
- Determined
- Organised
- Self-confident
- Competitive
- Creative
A large number of recruitment organisations will also provide access to a range of additional training, accredited by professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the Recruitment & Employer Confederation (REC). Being a member will also provide you with access to a range of resources and can open up networking opportunities.
There are agencies up and down the country offering graduates schemes or similar opportunities, and these are just two of several examples:
Robert Half – With offices across the country, Robert Half is a world leader in supporting companies hire new talent. They provide graduates with opportunity in a variety of roles, from account management to marketing.
Gattaca – Specialising in technical recruitment, graduate opportunities at Gattaca come with a range of benefits. This include opportunities such as one-to-one support from workplace mentors or offering the chance to work in one of their offices overseas.
