The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Talent Sourcing Coordinator to Talent Acquisition Specialist
1-2 years as a CoordinatorSkills to master
- Mastering the 'top of the funnel' (sourcing, screening, scheduling), understanding basic Boolean logic, building initial candidate rapport, and getting a good grasp of ATS functionality.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivering high-quality candidate pipelines to recruiters.
- Proactively identifying and engaging with passive candidates.
- Taking initiative to learn about full-cycle recruitment processes.
- Receiving positive feedback on organisational skills and communication.
- 2
Agency Recruiter to In-house Talent Acquisition Specialist
2-4 years in an agency settingSkills to master
- Adapting to an in-house culture, building long-term relationships with internal hiring managers, understanding employer branding, and focusing on quality-of-hire over sheer volume.
You're ready to move on when
- Proven track record of full-cycle recruitment success in an agency.
- Desire to focus on one company's hiring needs and culture.
- Strong client management skills (transferable to internal stakeholders).
- Ability to articulate the differences between agency and in-house recruitment.
- 3
HR Administrator/Generalist to Talent Acquisition Specialist
2-3 years in an HR support roleSkills to master
- Developing specific sourcing and interviewing techniques, understanding talent market dynamics, and building a network of passive candidates.
You're ready to move on when
- Demonstrated interest in recruitment (e.g., shadowing recruiters, assisting with interviews).
- Strong understanding of HR processes and company culture.
- Excellent organisational and people skills.
- Proactively seeking opportunities to learn recruitment-specific skills.