Ten years ago recruitment and HR positions were viewed as ‘stepping stones’ before securing a ‘professional’ job. However, a lot has happened in the last few years to shed this image and today the recruitment and HR industry is one of the fastest growing amongst graduates boasting both financial rewards and job satisfaction.
What kind of work can I do?
Human resources and Recruitment are separate careers with related areas of work. Smaller companies who recruit in-house may have a combined HR and Recruitment team.
The HR department are responsible for recruiting and retaining the best possible workforce. They make sure the moral of the office is high and handle any personal employee problems.
Recruitment roles may be either in-house (managing recruitment for a particular company) or in a consultancy (managing recruitment for a range of different clients). Executive recruitment consultancies typically operate in specialist areas sourcing candidates for senior appointments. They often approach individuals directly rather than advertising openly, hence the term ‘headhunting’, which is sometimes used to describe the role.
Typical Duties for HR and Recruitment include:
- Recruitment and selection
- Employee relations (handling employee rights, contracts and complaints)
- Employment legislation
- Performance appraisal
- Compensation, including pay and benefits
- Consultancy
- Health and safety
- Training and development
- Advertising/marketing
What are employers looking for?
Employers needs and expectations differ from HR and recruitment roles. To work in HR you need to be a people person who can relate well to others. Good communication skills, patience and attention to detail are also vital.
Working in recruitment especially in competitive consultancies suits someone who is driven, confident, vigilant and doesn’t give up easily!
Although a degree is not essential more and more employers are seeking graduates to fill these roles.
Progression
The career ladder in recruitment is vast, from becoming a head-hunter to owning your own recruitment company. The job also equips with lots of key skills that can open doors in many sale based roles.
Is this the right career for you?
If you are a confident, driven individual who is not put off by spending lots of time on the phone then yes!
Hours can be long in recruitment, with demanding targets to hit but if you thrive in competitive workplaces then this could be the perfect career for you.
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