Every company that hires needs recruiters. If you like talking to people and matching them to the right job, recruitment can be a good career. Career Guideline itself hires for this field, with recent openings in Bengaluru and Navi Mumbai.
This guide explains the roles, what recent openings asked for, and how to start, including as a fresher. We have recruited since 2011, so this comes from our own experience.
Types of recruitment jobs
- HR recruiter / recruitment executive: sources and screens candidates. A recent Bengaluru opening at our own consultancy asked for 0 to 2 years of experience, with a day shift and six working days.
- Recruitment coordinator: schedules interviews and manages the process. A recent Bengaluru opening asked for 2+ years of experience, hybrid with mandatory office work.
- Recruitment leadership: leads end-to-end hiring for large teams. A recent Navi Mumbai opening for an AVP of recruitment, hiring real estate sales staff across locations, asked for 8 to 15 years of experience.
- Agency vs in-house: consultancies fill jobs for many clients, while in-house teams hire only for their own company.
Skills recruiters need
- Communication: phone calls, messages and interviews all day
- Judgement: reading a resume and spotting the right fit
- Persistence: many candidates, tight deadlines
- Organisation: tracking dozens of applicants at once
- Honesty: candidates must get a clear picture of the job. Never charging candidates is part of this.
Knowing what recruiters look for helps you do the job. Read what recruiters look for.
How to start as a fresher
- Apply for recruiter trainee or HR recruiter roles in consultancies. They hire freshers more often than corporate HR teams.
- Learn the basics of sourcing, such as job portals and LinkedIn. See our LinkedIn profile guide.
- Build targets-based experience, as many consultancy roles measure closures.
- After 2 to 3 years, move into senior recruiter, account manager or talent acquisition roles.
Preparing for the interview? Read fresher interview questions and how to write a resume with no experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a recruiter do?
A recruiter finds, screens and shortlists candidates for open jobs and manages them through interviews until they join.
Can a fresher become a recruiter?
Yes. Recent openings at consultancies accepted candidates with 0 to 2 years of experience.
What is the difference between agency and in-house recruitment?
Agencies hire for many client companies and are paid for placements, while in-house recruiters hire only for their own employer.
What skills do recruiters need?
Communication, good judgement in reading resumes, persistence, organisation and honesty.
How does a recruitment career grow?
From recruiter to senior recruiter, then team lead, account manager and recruitment head or AVP.