Feeling Overwhelmed as a New Recruiter: How Tough Is the Job and What Should I Expect?

Hi all!

I am doing an MBA (HR) from ICFAI University (distance learning) and about to finish it by January 2008.

I recently got a job as a Recruiter in a consultancy firm. Upon understanding the job profile, I'm feeling very nervous as it seems to be very challenging!

They have informed me that I will have to search in job portals, databases, and also utilize my own contacts. It is target-based! I am comfortable with searching in job portals, etc., but what about contacts? They mentioned that I would have to build a rapport even with the peons to get in touch with the managers!

All my confidence has gone down the drain after hearing all this! I need guidance. Can any of you please tell me how tough it is going to be? What is this recruitment process all about? And how challenging is the job?

I don't think I have any other option as I want to be in the HR field. I spoke to some people in the related field, and they mentioned that having experience in recruitment is essential if I want to establish myself in the HR field!

Please help me!

Hi Friend,

Firstly, congratulations on almost completing your ICFAI distance learning program. I have heard that many people find the exams challenging and end up changing universities, including myself.

Recruitment is not a tough task once you understand the recruitment cycle. To begin, you need to understand the requirements such as qualifications, experience, communication skills (standards), and conceptual knowledge. For ITES roles, additional factors like communication skills, thought process, voice, and accent are important. The key to successful recruitment is understanding the specific requirements.

Next, comes sourcing. You need to know how to search in job portals, use relevant keywords effectively, and create combinations for the best resumes. If you find suitable candidates, consider taking references from your personal network or accessing databases from colleges.

After sourcing, focus on promoting the companies you represent. This involves marketing the company effectively, emphasizing career paths, growth opportunities, and facilities to potential candidates. You essentially become the brand ambassador for the company.

Negotiations play a crucial role in recruitment. You must convince candidates of their worth based on market standards and specific reasons. It's essential to ensure that the candidate is genuinely interested in joining to avoid any issues post-recruitment.

Client interaction is vital for arranging interviews and ensuring candidates show up. Building a strong rapport with clients is key, as it can lead to becoming their preferred vendor. Even if a candidate is rejected, persuasive skills can sometimes result in a second chance.

I am not a qualified HR professional; I am still in the process of learning.

Sari

Hi, that was helpful. Thank you a lot!

But do you mean to say that ITES recruitment process requirements are different? I have worked for a few months in Dell and Wipro BPO. So, do you think I should apply for a position of an ITES recruiter? Will it be easier for me then? Because I think I can understand the ITES requirements better. But which one is tougher, to get candidates for ITES or others?

One more thing I read in an article that as a recruiter, you should get hold of the candidates "BY ANY MEANS." What are the means? How difficult will that be?

Hi Friend,

Though the recruitment process is the same whether you are a recruitment consultant or HR in a company, if you are working in a company, you will know the loopholes in the strategy and the structure of the organization according to market standards. You can be flexible in terms of negotiations, whereas as a consultant, you would not have much flexibility.

ITES recruiting is easier because you only concentrate on communication skills. You would assess them on grammar, gender usage, tenses, mother tongue influence, regional language influence, fake accents, fillers, vernacular, and most importantly, thought process. It is more specific on grammar, especially for voice processes, financial BPOs, conceptual skills, and for tech support, tech knowledge is assessed.

IT and other recruitment is definitely tough with more specifications. Although it is not emphasized on communication skills as much, they concentrate more on the projects handled, types of skill sets, how updated they are with new versions. Behavioral questions are also asked pertaining to interpersonal skills, attitude, stability, openness to learning, being diplomatic, assertive, tactful, and witty, etc.

If you already have experience in ITES BPOs, it is definitely going to be easier recruiting them. However, you would mostly get opportunities in call centers, except if you excel in other areas. Now the ball is in your court; you have to choose which one to opt for.

But my friend, let me tell you there are so many consultancies, almost each lane has one, so there are many recruiters hunting for the right corporate exposure. You have to assess yourself and get going...

Revert if you need more clarifications, but keep in mind it is only my point of view.

Sari