Being a recruiter, no two days are the same. While sourcing, screening, interviewing, and other tasks may seem similar, it’s common for things to not go as planned, regardless of how well you’ve planned your day.
I have noticed that the most successful recruiters I know are extremely detail-oriented. They start their day by reviewing their schedule, creating a to-do list, and organizing their day accordingly. This to-do list is essential because as a recruiter, things can change rapidly, and this list acts as a reminder to circle back to unfinished tasks if something unexpected comes up.
Along with creating those to-do lists, the day starts with checking emails, responding, and following up on any emails or voicemails. Every day we review the jobs we are recruiting for and prioritize what needs more work/or can be backed off. Once that is determined, the game plan is put into action – update job postings, utilize job boards to source candidates, and complete phone screens, and interviews. Those are day-in and day-out tasks.
Once we have a live candidate, the interesting part of the job begins as we present them to the client. If everything goes well, the candidate will receive an interview request, and we will share all the necessary details and expectations with them. However, our job doesn’t end there. After the interview, we gather information about how it went and learn any relevant details to ensure that we are on the right track with the candidate’s experience. Depending on whether it is a direct hire or temp-to-hire opportunity, we either extend the offer and start the onboarding process or stay in touch to act as a liaison between the client and the direct hire candidate.
Organization and efficiency are the key skills that distinguish successful recruiters from others. Recruitment is a fulfilling and demanding career that keeps you on your toes and gives you a sense of pride as you witness the positive impact you have on someone’s life.