What Does a Recruiter Do & Who Do They Work For?

Have you ever wondered what a recruiter does and who they actually work for?

Get an insider’s look at the world of recruiters and learn what their responsibilities are, who they work for, and some of the red flags to watch out for when working with a recruiter.

Whether or not you decide to work with a recruiter is up to you, but it’s important to know what they do and how they can help — or harm — your job search.

What does a recruiter do?

At its core, a recruiter is responsible for connecting the right candidate with the right job. They act as a bridge between employers and potential employees by identifying qualified candidates for particular roles by using the latest recruitment strategies.

Recruiters develop and implement recruiting strategies

Recruiters work with hiring managers to understand their staffing needs and create recruiting plans to meet these needs by attracting top talent.

Because of the constantly changing employment landscape, recruiters keep themselves up to date on industry trends and are constantly developing new recruiting strategies.

Recruiters source job candidates

Recruiters use a variety of methods to source job candidates, including social media sourcing, internet searches, job boards, career fairs, and networking events.

Once they have identified potential candidates for their organization’s open positions, recruiters then vet these candidates by conducting interviews and phone screens.

Recruiters screen and interview candidates

In addition to sourcing job candidates, recruiters are responsible for screening and interviewing potential candidates.

Recruiters will review resumes, cover letters, and other documents to determine if a candidate is qualified for a position.

They will also conduct phone screens or video interviews to further evaluate the candidate’s qualifications and skills.

Recruiters coordinate the hiring process

Once a recruiter has identified and interviewed potential candidates, they will coordinate with other parties involved in the hiring process.

They may need to arrange for drug tests, background checks, and other pre-hire processes.

Recruiters evaluate job offers

After a candidate is selected for a position, the recruiter is responsible for evaluating the job offer and negotiating salary and other terms.

Recruiters will also provide feedback to candidates throughout the hiring process.

Recruiters build relationships

Recruiters are also responsible for building relationships with potential candidates and developing a talent pipeline for future hires.

They may stay in touch with qualified applicants and even encourage them to apply for other positions within their organization.

Recruiters keep track of hiring metrics

Recruiters are also responsible for keeping track of important metrics, such as time-to-fill and cost-per-hire.

These metrics can help recruiters measure the success of their recruiting strategies and make necessary adjustments to improve them.

The best recruiters stay informed about changes in the industry, such as new technologies and hiring best practices.

This knowledge helps them develop effective recruiting strategies for their organization.

Recruiters follow compliance best practices

Recruiters must ensure their recruiting practices comply with all relevant laws and regulations.

This includes following fair hiring practices and monitoring changes in labor laws.

Who do recruiters work for?

Recruiters typically work for a staffing agency that works with clients (ie other companies) to help them meet their hiring needs.

In some cases, recruiters can work internally for one company that has an in-house recruiting department that works in tandem with HR.

How do recruiters make money and get paid?

Recruiters are paid by the company they work for and not by clients, job seekers, or candidates they work with.

Recruiters may be paid a salary, commission, or a combination of the two depending on the company.

Recruiter red flags

When looking to hire a recruiter, there are some recruiter red flags that job seekers should be aware of like charging fees or guaranteeing jobs or employment, and more. Legitimate recruiters should never perpetrate the following:

  • Require payment upfront before providing services
  • Make promises about interviews or employment
  • Guarantee a certain salary or employment
  • Lack of transparency
  • Charge fees to job seekers

Working with a recruiter to find a job

Whether or not you decide to work with a recruiter is up to you, but it’s important to understand the role they play in the hiring process and how they can help you find your dream job.

Working with a recruiter can be beneficial for job seekers as it provides an opportunity to work with a professional who is knowledgeable about the hiring process and can offer advice, guidance, and support.

Whether or not job seekers decide to work with a recruiter, they should always do their research to ensure they are legitimate and follow best practices.

Looking for your next gig? Let us help. 

Every year, Mondo helps over 2,000 candidates find jobs they love.

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