Curious about how people actually get hired these days? It usually starts with a recruiter, but what is a recruiter and what do they really do? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of human resources specialists, including recruiters, is projected to grow 8% from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the average for all jobs. Demand for skilled recruiters is rising, especially as businesses compete for talent in a tighter labor market.
Recruiters play a big role in how people land jobs and how companies grow. It’s a job that mixes people skills, business sense, and a bit of detective work. If you’re organized, good at talking to people, and love the idea of helping others get hired, recruitment might be the right path for you.
In this guide, you’ll learn what a recruiter actually does and how to become one in 10 practical steps.
What Does a Recruiter Do?
A recruiter is someone who finds and connects the right people to the right job. That might mean reviewing resumes, reaching out to candidates, coordinating interviews, and even negotiating salaries. In short, they manage the hiring process on behalf of a company or client.
Some recruiters work internally at companies (these are called in-house recruiters), while others work at staffing agencies or recruitment firms. You might also hear the term job recruiter, which usually refers to someone whose main focus is matching job seekers with open positions.
Still wondering what does a recruiter do all day? They spend time sourcing candidates, posting jobs, screening applications, and communicating with both hiring managers and applicants. They help companies save time and make better hiring decisions. In other words, recruiters make hiring easier and smarter.
How to Become a Recruiter in 10 Steps
So, you want in. Whether you’re switching careers or starting fresh, here’s exactly how to become a recruiter, step by step.
1. Understand what the role actually involves
Before you jump in, spend time learning about the day-to-day work. Talk to recruiters, follow them on LinkedIn, and read about real hiring processes.
Recruitment is more than just matching resumes to jobs. You’ll need to juggle multiple job openings, manage expectations from hiring teams, and keep candidates informed. This is where knowing the ins and outs of different recruitment roles can help, whether you want to go corporate, work at an agency, or eventually become a headhunter.
2. Pick your niche
You don’t have to choose your specialty right away, but it helps to think about what kind of hiring you want to do. There’s tech recruiting, healthcare recruiting, executive search, and more.
Specializing can give you a deeper understanding of your industry and make you more valuable. If you’re interested in hiring software engineers, for example, learning about coding languages and development tools will give you an edge.
3. Get the right education (but it’s flexible)
There’s no one-size-fits-all degree for recruiting, but most recruiters start with a background in business, psychology, communications, or human resources.
If you’re coming from a different field, don’t stress. Many great recruiters started in sales, education, or even customer service. What matters most is your ability to connect with people and understand what makes a good hire.
If you do want a formal edge, an HR certification or diploma in talent acquisition can help.
4. Build your communication and negotiation skills
Recruiters spend most of their time talking, on the phone, over email, or in interviews. You’ll need to get comfortable speaking clearly, listening actively, and explaining things in simple terms.
But you also need to know how to persuade. Whether it’s convincing a hiring manager to widen their candidate pool or negotiating salary with a job seeker, knowing how to sell an opportunity (and close the deal) is key.
5. Learn the tools of the trade
Recruiters don’t just use spreadsheets anymore. Today’s recruiters rely on tech tools like:
- Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are used for managing resumes.
- LinkedIn Recruiter helps with sourcing passive candidates.
- Recruitment CRMs are used to keep track of candidate relationships.
- Interview scheduling tools are used to save time.
Familiarize yourself with platforms like Workday, Greenhouse, or Lever. Even knowing how to navigate job boards well can make a difference.
6. Get real experience (even if it’s unpaid)
You don’t need a recruiter job title to gain experience. Start by helping a friend polish their resume or prepare for an interview. Volunteer to help a small business post jobs or filter resumes.
You could also look for entry-level roles like:
- Recruiting coordinator
- Talent acquisition assistant
- HR assistant
These positions help you learn the basics while working under more experienced recruiters.
7. Learn how to source candidates effectively
One of the biggest tasks in recruiting is sourcing. That means finding people who match a job description, even if they’re not actively looking.
This is where research and creativity matter. Learn how to:
- Use Boolean search on LinkedIn
- Find niche job boards
- Write job posts that attract quality applicants
- Build candidate pipelines for future roles
Knowing how to track down great candidates is what separates average recruiters from great ones.
8. Understand the full recruitment cycle
Being a recruiter isn’t just about sourcing. You need to understand the entire hiring process, also called the full-cycle recruitment process.
That includes:
- Understanding the job and its needs
- Posting the job ad
- Screening and shortlisting applicants
- Interviewing
- Coordinating hiring manager feedback
- Making and negotiating offers
- Assisting with onboarding
This well-rounded knowledge makes you more independent and capable as a recruiter.
9. Build your personal brand
Recruiting is a people business, and your reputation matters. Build a presence on LinkedIn. Share insights, comment on hiring trends, and connect with others in the industry.
If you want to stand out, start a blog or post tips for job seekers and hiring managers. Being visible helps you attract candidates and shows potential employers or clients that you know your stuff.
10. Keep learning and stay adaptable
The recruitment field keeps evolving. Remote hiring, diversity and inclusion, new sourcing platforms, these all shape how recruiters work.
Stay sharp by:
- Following industry leaders
- Attending webinars or virtual recruiting events
- Getting certified (e.g., AIRS, LinkedIn Certified Recruiter, SHRM-CP)
- Keeping tabs on the latest hiring tools
Great recruiters are always learning. That’s what helps you grow from just another job recruiter to someone who companies and candidates trust.
What Makes Recruiting a Meaningful Career
Recruiting goes beyond being just a job, it’s a front-row seat to how careers are built and how businesses evolve. You’re not simply filling positions; you’re influencing lives, shaping teams, and playing a quiet but crucial role in how companies succeed. If you’re drawn to work that’s fast-paced, deeply human, and always changing, recruiting gives you a chance to grow alongside the people you help. It’s not about knowing all the answers on day one. It’s about staying curious, asking good questions, and learning as you go. The more you invest in people, the more rewarding this path becomes.