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
Recruitment Coordinator / Junior Recruiter
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Scheduling, ATS management, basic candidate communication, understanding recruitment processes, initial phone screening.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently manages complex interview schedules without errors.
- Proactively identifies and flags potential issues in the recruitment process.
- Receives positive feedback from candidates and hiring managers on their professionalism and helpfulness.
- Demonstrates a keen interest in learning more about sourcing and candidate engagement.
- 2
Agency Recruiter (Junior/Mid-Level)
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Full lifecycle recruitment, client management, sales and negotiation, high-volume sourcing, market mapping.
You're ready to move on when
- Proven track record of hitting placement targets in an agency environment.
- Strong ability to build rapport quickly with both clients and candidates.
- Excellent understanding of different industries and role requirements.
- Desire to move into an in-house role with a focus on employer branding and candidate experience.
- 3
HR Administrator with Recruitment Focus
2-4 yearsSkills to master
- HR operations, employee lifecycle management, basic recruitment admin, understanding HR policies and compliance.
You're ready to move on when
- Has taken on increased recruitment responsibilities within their HR admin role.
- Demonstrates a strong understanding of the business's hiring needs.
- Shows initiative in improving recruitment-related processes.
- Passionate about moving into a dedicated talent acquisition role.