My First 30 Days in Recruiting

My First 30 Days in Recruiting

If you live in Austin, chances are that you’ve met a recruiter at every happy hour or networking event that you’ve attended. Maybe it’s the millennial in me but being able to classify going to happy hours as “work” sounded like a dream. Not to mention, recruiters make their living by meeting new people and helping them find jobs. WHAT?! Sign me up!

I’m a little over a month in and making the career change was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Here’s 5 lessons I’ve learned in my first 30 days as a recruiter.

1.       It’s extremely lucrative:

  • But you HAVE to put in the work. Every placement is helping to impact someone’s life, AND it’s also putting money in your pocket. Your income is completely in your hands, and if that doesn’t motivate you, then I don’t know what will.

2.       You meet a ton of people:

  • From high level execs to your local baristas to just about everyone looking for a new job. Everyone views you as a resource. You can build your network and make some amazing friends in the process!

3.       You develop both your personal and professional skills:

  • You can expand and improve your communication skills and social awareness through your network. You will learn about business functionalities in every industry, and the schematics behind them. You’re always the first one to get the tea on which companies are hiring, which profession is the in-demand, and future opportunities.

4.       It’s not like HR:

  • I initially thought recruiting was going to be very similar to HR. False. They are not interchangeable occupations. Recruiting is sales, people! We’re literally selling candidates to clients and vice versa.

5.       It’s competitive:

  • It’s not all just happy hours, unicorns, and rainbows. Oh, you need Software Engineers? Guess what? So does everyone else IN THE ENTIRE WORLD. Sometimes clients can be difficult. Sometimes candidates can be difficult. Sometimes a candidates’ spouse can be difficult. You will get rejected. A LOT. But making a placement is an incredibly rewarding feeling that makes it all worth it.