Job description

Recruitment Consultants source candidates and match them to jobs that their clients are trying to fill.

The job relies heavily on sales and account management - consultants need to win new business from potential clients and provide those clients with a high level of service by sourcing the best possible candidates for their roles.

The role also requires involvement at all levels of the recruitment process, including writing the job specifications, advertising the jobs, interviewing candidates and providing the client with a shortlist of candidates for each job. It's essential that consultants gain a thorough understanding of their clients' businesses so that they fully understand the type of candidate that is required for each job.

Duties include:

• Writing professional and relevant job specifications.
• Attracting business from new and existing client base.
• Co-ordinating effective advertising campaigns to attract the best candidates.
• Advising client and candidate salary expectations.
• Interviewing candidates to assess their suitability.
• Developing a comprehensive understanding of client needs.
• Reviewing CV documents and preparing a shortlist for the client.
• Checking candidates' references.
• Identifying quality candidates and speculatively introducing them to clients.
• Negotiating fees with clients.

Qualifications

There are no formal qualification requirements to become a recruitment consultant though some employers will require you to be degree educated. Experience in a similar job is usually the main requirement. It is possible to gain individual membership of the REC and this will stand out on your CV.

Salary Snapshot

Recent salaries advertised on Clearly Sales Jobs (November 2009) include:

• £20,000 plus OTE for a Trainee Recruitment Consultant working in the gas industry for a company in Hertfordshire.
• £30-60,000 plus benefits for a Recruitment Consultant in the nuclear industry based in London.
• £21-30,000 for a Senior Recruitment Consultant for a Rec to Rec company based in Leicester.
• £20-60,000 for an IT Recruitment Consultant based in Central London.