What Does a Recruiter Do?
A recruiter is responsible for finding, attracting, and hiring qualified candidates to fill open positions within an organization. They work closely with hiring managers to define job requirements, post job listings, review applications, and identify top talent. Recruiters also conduct interviews, coordinate hiring processes, and ensure a positive candidate experience.
Recruiters play a critical role in shaping a company’s workforce. They are often the first point of contact for job seekers and must represent the organization’s brand effectively. In addition to sourcing candidates, recruiters may be responsible for negotiating offers, ensuring compliance with employment laws, and building long-term talent pipelines.
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Recruiter Core Responsibilities
- Collaborate with hiring managers to understand role requirements and team needs
- Write and post job descriptions on job boards and company platforms
- Source candidates through job boards, referrals, social media, and networking events
- Review resumes and applications to identify qualified candidates
- Conduct phone screenings and initial interviews
- Schedule and coordinate interviews with hiring teams
- Manage the candidate experience throughout the hiring process
- Track recruiting metrics and provide reports on hiring performance
- Ensure compliance with labor laws and equal employment regulations
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency with applicant tracking systems (ATS) and HR software
- Strong knowledge of recruitment processes and best practices
- Ability to write compelling job postings and interview questions
- Familiarity with sourcing strategies, including LinkedIn Recruiter and Boolean search
- Understanding of employment laws and compliance requirements
Soft skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Negotiation and persuasion skills
- Ability to multitask and manage multiple job requisitions
- Problem-solving and adaptability
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, psychology, or related field
Certifications
- Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) recommended
- AIRS Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR) or LinkedIn Recruiter Certification valued
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience recruiting in specific industries such as IT, healthcare, or finance
- Familiarity with diversity recruiting initiatives and best practices
- Strong networking abilities and an established professional network
- Experience with high-volume recruiting or specialized executive search
- Bilingual communication skills to expand candidate reach
National Average Salary
Recruiter salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Position is:
$123,456
Sample Job Description Templates for Recruiters
Entry-Level Recruiter
Position Overview
We are hiring an entry-level recruiter to support our talent acquisition team by sourcing candidates, reviewing applications, and coordinating interviews. This role is designed for professionals who are eager to start a career in recruiting and develop their skills in identifying top talent.
Responsibilities
- Post job openings on company and external job boards
- Screen resumes and conduct initial phone interviews
- Schedule interviews and coordinate with hiring managers
- Maintain candidate records in the applicant tracking system (ATS)
- Assist in onboarding new hires and preparing offer letters
- Support the team in career fairs and recruitment events
Requirements
Hard skills
- Basic knowledge of recruitment processes
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite or Google Workspace
- Ability to learn and use applicant tracking systems
- Strong written communication for job postings and correspondence
Soft skills
- Strong organizational and multitasking abilities
- Eagerness to learn and develop recruiting skills
- Professional communication and interpersonal skills
- Detail-oriented and dependable
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, psychology, or related field preferred
Certifications
- None required; SHRM-CP or PHR recommended as career develops
Preferred Qualifications
- Internship or prior experience in customer service, HR, or sales
- Experience using LinkedIn or job boards to source candidates
Mid-Level Recruiter
Position Overview
Our company is seeking a mid-level recruiter to independently manage requisitions, build candidate pipelines, and partner with hiring managers. This role requires hands-on recruiting experience and the ability to deliver high-quality candidates across multiple business areas.
Responsibilities
- Manage full-cycle recruitment from sourcing to onboarding
- Partner with hiring managers to define job requirements
- Conduct interviews and evaluate candidate qualifications
- Develop talent pipelines through networking and social media
- Ensure compliance with employment laws and company policies
- Track recruiting metrics and provide regular updates to leadership
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency with ATS platforms and sourcing tools
- Strong understanding of recruitment best practices
- Ability to conduct behavioral and structured interviews
- Knowledge of employment law and compliance requirements
Soft skills
- Strong relationship-building and negotiation skills
- Ability to manage multiple job requisitions simultaneously
- Clear and professional communication skills
- Problem-solving and adaptability in fast-paced environments
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related field
Certifications
- SHRM-CP or PHR certification recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 2–4 years of recruiting experience
- Experience in industry-specific recruiting such as IT, healthcare, or finance
Senior Recruiter
Position Overview
We are looking for a senior recruiter to lead high-level recruitment efforts, mentor junior team members, and provide strategic guidance on talent acquisition initiatives. This role requires significant experience in full-cycle recruiting and a proven ability to fill critical and specialized roles.
Responsibilities
- Manage executive and hard-to-fill requisitions
- Mentor and train junior and mid-level recruiters
- Partner with leadership on workforce planning and strategy
- Develop advanced sourcing strategies, including diversity initiatives
- Negotiate offers and manage candidate experience from start to finish
- Analyze recruiting data to improve hiring efficiency
Requirements
Hard skills
- Advanced knowledge of ATS platforms and sourcing tools
- Expertise in full-cycle recruitment across multiple industries
- Strong negotiation and offer management experience
- Ability to analyze recruiting metrics and trends
Soft skills
- Leadership and mentoring capabilities
- Strong interpersonal and client advisory skills
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
Education
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in HR or business preferred
Certifications
- PHR or SHRM-CP certification required; SHRM-SCP recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years of recruiting experience
- Background in executive search or high-volume recruitment
Lead Recruiter
Position Overview
The lead recruiter will oversee a team of recruiters while managing critical job requisitions. This role combines individual contributor responsibilities with leadership duties, requiring expertise in recruitment operations and the ability to align hiring goals with organizational objectives.
Responsibilities
- Supervise and support a team of recruiters
- Oversee high-priority or executive-level requisitions
- Establish recruiting best practices and standard operating procedures
- Report recruiting metrics and outcomes to HR leadership
- Partner with business leaders to forecast hiring needs
- Lead diversity and inclusion hiring initiatives
Requirements
Hard skills
- Expertise in sourcing strategies, interview methods, and ATS usage
- Experience managing recruiting teams and performance metrics
- Knowledge of employment law and compliance requirements
- Strong analytical skills to assess recruiting effectiveness
Soft skills
- Leadership and team management abilities
- Strong communication and presentation skills
- Ability to influence and collaborate across departments
- Strategic thinking with a solutions-oriented approach
Education
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred
Certifications
- SHRM-CP or PHR required; SHRM-SCP or SPHR recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience leading a recruitment team
- Proven success in implementing new recruiting technologies or systems