If you’re looking to join the world of recruitment, you’ve come to the right place. Gone are the days of monotonous photocopying and meetings that could have been an email, welcome to a world of motivation, success and rewards in a fast-paced role where no two days are the same.
Sure, a role as a recruitment consultant can be hard work at times, but with a strong support team and structured development to help you succeed, you’ll never feel stuck in the same place. While the role itself will evolve and vary depending on what happens in the education sector, you will evolve into a hardworking, passionate and knowledgeable person both professionally and personally.
Perhaps you’re exploring a role in the recruitment industry, or ready to take your sales and customer service skills to the next level. Wherever you are in your career, it’s important to understand the top skills needed to be a superstar recruiter.
Apply to our recruitment vacancies here.
So, what makes a good recruiter?
1. Industry expertise
As an education recruitment consultant, you are the expert. For your clients, you have an extensive knowledge of the local area and the top education staff in it. For your staff, you are well-versed in the education sector and can give them advice and direction in the next steps in their career.
Having a background or previous experience in education is preferred but in no way essential. At TeacherActive, we give you the tools to succeed, from in-house training from our Learning & Development team to our education CPD (Continuing Professional Development) channel My-Progression. With dedication and a passion for learning you’ll become an education expert in no time!
2. Strong communication skills with candidates and clients…
Effective communication is at the heart of successful recruiting. Recruiters need to be excellent listeners to understand their educator’s aspirations and their educational setting’s needs. A good recruiter will be able to convey information clearly and persuasively to both parties, putting their needs first. Ensuring all parties, no matter their race, ability, location, or gender are respected and treated fairly is incredibly important, so an active interest in diversity and inclusion will be beneficial.
3. …And strong networking skills
Life is better with friends, and recruitment is no different. Networking allows you to grow a field of people who are experts just like you, from which you can share advice and ideas, gain new leads, or develop both personally and professionally. Attending industry events and exhibitions is one way to do this, but also engaging with people and companies online on platforms such as LinkedIn can help you gain valuable connections that may come in handy later.
4. Adaptability
The UK job market and the education sector are constantly evolving, influenced by different social and political factors. A good recruiter adapts to these changes, staying one step ahead by using their industry knowledge. You will be flexible, with a finger on the pulse which allows you to adjust your strategies to accommodate market shifts and demand.
5. Asking the right questions
Recruitment is all about relationships and showing that your candidates and clients can trust you to help them. Part of relationship building is getting to know your staff and education settings, knowing their unique pain points, wants and needs. Being an inquisitive person who can engage someone is the key to this, and you’ll use your detective skills to ask questions that will lead to finding the perfect match between your candidates and clients.
6. Tech savviness
In today's digital age, technology plays a crucial role in the recruitment process. A top-draw recruiter should be proficient in using an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), social media, job boards and other digital tools to streamline their work and reach the right people at the right time. Don’t worry if you currently don’t know your ATS from your ABCs, during your Academy training at TeacherActive we will teach you everything you need to know.
7. Results driven
Being goal-orientated is key, but the life of a good recruiter is not all about figures. You'll be working in a team, supporting one another to complete a team goal that will see you reach new heights with progression, tiered pay rises and awards. You will also have personal goals, which may be a promotion to leadership or simply being the best you can be in your career. Whichever way your path goes, you will be supported by managers, industry experts, training seminars and your team.
8. Integrity and care
Integrity and care are the keys to unlocking a successful career in recruitment. As a top recruiter, you’ll understand that your candidates are people too, and empathise with your education settings and their pain points. Maintaining trust, honesty and an unwavering passion is what separates the good from the great, and you will see you flourish in a successful recruitment career.
9. Resilience
Last but by no means least, resilience is one of the top skills you will need to be a good recruiter. There will be days when things don’t exactly go to plan, but it’s how you handle those situations that will help you stand out from the rest. Resilience isn’t about bouncing back; it’s about bouncing forward and learning from past mistakes or situations. The subsequent highs always feel better when you’ve made it through the lows, and a recruiter who can show strength and resilience in any situation is worth their weight in gold.
Ready to kickstart your career in education recruitment? TeacherActive is one of the biggest education recruitment agencies in the UK with roles available across England and South Wales. For more information on life at TeacherActive click here, and head to our vacancies page to apply.
