Feeling Stuck in Recruitment: How to Navigate Career Growth with New Management?

Hi all, I just wanted to put forward my concern and current status in my company. I have been with this company for over 3 years, working as a senior Team Lead with a total of over 6 years of experience in Recruitment and Client Relationship.

My company is a mid-sized US MNC. Recently, there has been a change in management, and the individual now leading our department comes from a non-recruitment background. It's challenging to make him understand the efforts and deals involved in our processes.

At the same time, I was expecting a promotion in role and responsibility, which was put on hold due to the change in senior management. The new person in charge responded to my inquiry about my potential growth by saying, "A recruiter will always be a recruiter."

I am unsure if this is indeed the reality. How should I handle this situation? Should I consider moving on and switching companies, or is there another approach I could take to make him understand? Despite being a hard worker with many past appreciations, this new behavior is proving difficult to navigate, making it hard to focus on my daily tasks and impacting my performance.

I would greatly appreciate any advice from senior members. Please guide me on the best course of action.

Thanks in advance.

Dear Shilpi,

We have to face whimsical bosses in our careers. Either we bide our time to wait for things to change or change our job. It is ironic that your boss tells you that a recruiter will be a recruiter. It does not mean you have to be one like that. It is his view. Improve your skills to either change the job or wait for better days. Continue to work hard and be sincere. You will get rewards sooner or later.

V. Raghunathan

Dear Shilpi,

It's not easy to be a recruiter. It's great that your boss tells you to be a recruiter always. (If you like recruitment, then it's a blessing for you.) Otherwise, it's not a one-man show. If you have talent, then use your hard work, skills, and people management to finally get what you want. I have seen people going through the "Boiling Frog Syndrome." Hope you do not end up doing that.

Good luck, and let me know if this helped.

Regards,
Anju

Thank you, Raghunathan, for your valuable suggestion. I will continue to put forth my best efforts, but I will not be able to wait for long. It is difficult to remain in an organization where your boss doesn't know your skills and how to motivate talent.

Regards,
Shilpi

Thank you for your advice. It will be of great help. I also agree with you that it's not a one-man show. In fact, it's all about your boss, the one person whom you always need to support and motivate. If that person does not respect your position or allow you to see your growth and goals, how will you find the motivation to work hard?

I have always wanted to be involved in recruitment, but I would never want to be stuck in that role forever. That's why I reached out to all the seniors in this forum to ask, "What is the career growth potential for a recruiter in an organization?"

Anju, do you think a recruiter always remains a recruiter in an organization?

Regards, Shilpi