How to Become a Recruiter

Employment recruiters are key players in matching potential employees with the jobs and companies they are most qualified for. As the demand for highly qualified employees in the workforce grows, more companies are turning to recruiters to find the employees best suited for the open positions. Depending on your skill set and education, you may even be able to work as a recruiter right after graduating college. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Resume
• Cover letter that reviews your skills
• Degree in human resources or business

Educate Yourself to Become a Recruiter

1. Earn a 4-year degree in human resources or business.
2. Earn the best possible grades in college (aim for a grade-point average of 3.50 or higher), which will allow you to graduate with honors. List any honors or awards on your resume.
3. Familiarize yourself with the different work industries recruiters work for. You may find you like to work in one industry over another, such as accounting or real estate. Take elective classes in these fields to learn the basic theory behind each one.

Learn the Laws Regarding Employment

4. Study the current laws regarding equal opportunity employment. Research different case laws in your area to learn how courts have interpreted these laws based on a specific set of case facts.
5. Take an introduction to business or workplace law. This background is valuable to a recruiting firm that would otherwise have to train you in this specialized area before you could become a recruiter. Be sure the class covers employee rights, including affirmative action laws for the workplace before enrolling.

Become a Recruiter

6. Learn to search for keywords in a resume and cover letter. Purchase a book on resume writing and careers. Study how professionally written resumes use keywords (much like those utilized during an Internet search) to match the qualifications of the jobs the writer is applying for. This skill will save you valuable time once you become a recruiter.
7. Send letters of intent, along with resumes, to the recruiting firms you wish to work for. Because recruiters see a plethora of resumes each day, they usually do not have to go far to find new fellow recruiters. Introduce yourself and express your interests in working with the firm.

Tips & Warnings

• When taking elective college classes in a field you may wish to become a recruiter for, start with the introductory class. These classes usually cover industry basics and working in the field.
• When sending out letters to potential employers regarding possible job openings, ask them to keep your resume on file for the future. Be sure to update your resume with them when something changes.
• Case law refers to decisions made based on a specific legal case as the judge applied the law to the facts. Depending on your resource, not all statutes cover case law. Familiarize yourself with both.

Who Can Help:

• Earn an Associate's, Bachelor's or Master's Degree: Search For Programs Today!
• Request Free Information from Online Colleges. It's Fast & Easy!