How to Become a Sales Recruiter

Joining your state's staffing associations will provide many networking opportunities.

Sales recruiters are responsible for finding top-caliber salespeople for each client's open positions. Recruiters achieve this through sourcing, networking, recruiting and interviewing applicants. The position requires great people skills and dedication. Employment opportunities for sales recruiters are expected to grow much faster than average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The high demand for top-notch sales recruiters will provide many opportunities in this fast-paced, challenging career.

Things You'll Need

• Resume
• Computer
• Phone

Instructions

1. Study the sales trends of industries that interest you and find your niche. For example, if your background is in insurance, you may want to focus on insurance sales recruiting.

2. Get a degree or work in sales. It is certainly possible to get an entry-level sales recruiting position without a formal education, but most companies require a degree in marketing, business management or human resources for higher-paying recruiting positions. If you prefer on-the-job experience instead of a college degree, find a well-known company to work for and fine-tune your sales skills. The vast majority of the industry's top sales recruiters began their careers as salespeople.

3. Get certification from one of the national staffing associations. The two most popular sources of recruiter certification are the National Association for Personnel Services and the American Staffing Association. Very few recruiters make the effort to become certified, and obtaining certification will make your resume much more marketable to sales recruiting firms.

4. Tune up your resume. Be sure it shows your sales experience, education and certifications. Recruiting firms like to know they are working with a top-caliber recruiter, so even if you lack a recruiting background, be sure to highlight any professional achievements or sales records you can.

5. Network with everyone you know who works in sales or recruiting. Let them know you are interested in a sales recruiter position. Join your state's local staffing association, attend meetings and hand out cards. Recruiting firms always welcome cold calls, so pick up the phone and tell them you want a chance to prove yourself. This type of outgoing personality is what recruiting firms seek.

6. Sell yourself when interviewing. Even if you lack recruiting experience, exhibiting confidence before the recruiting firm and a professional presentation will help you secure the position.

7. Ask for the job. A recruiter's mantra is, "Always ask for the job." At the end of the interview, asking the manager, "When do I start?" shows you know you can accomplish the job and are confident in your abilities.

References

• National Association of Personnel Services
• American Staffing Association