Job description for a recruiter

A recruiter helps build an organisation’s workforce by identifying, attracting and appointing high-calibre talent. This role directly influences the standard of new hires and therefore affects company culture, performance and long-term success.

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Use our flexible recruiter job description template to kickstart your hiring. Suitable for job boards or your careers page, it sets out the core responsibilities and required skills for the recruiter post. Adapt it to reflect your team’s needs and the opportunities on offer.

About your organisation

[Company] is a leading [industry] organisation focused on [goals/mission]. We are committed to [core values/culture] and aim to [impact/goals]. With a team of skilled professionals, we are transforming the [industry] sector and driving innovation in [specific area]. Join us and be part of our success story.

About the recruiter role

In the recruiter role at [Your Company], you will play a key part in our success by sourcing, assessing and securing top-tier candidates.

Responsibilities for the recruiter role

• Design and put in place recruiting strategies to attract a diverse, qualified and capable pool of talent for the organisation.
• Work closely with hiring managers to clarify role requirements and produce detailed job descriptions.
• Review CVs and applications and carry out initial telephone screenings to create a shortlist of suitable candidates.
• Arrange and co‑ordinate interviews with hiring managers and other stakeholders.
• Maintain ongoing relationships with previous applicants and potential candidates for future vacancies.
• Stay informed about current trends and fresh recruiting techniques to remain competitive in modern recruitment practice.

Recruiter qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration or a related discipline.
• Demonstrable experience working as a recruiter, either in-house or with a recruitment agency.
• A solid grasp of recruitment processes and candidate selection techniques.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and manage multiple stakeholders.
• Proven experience with HR software and candidate tracking databases.
• Sound decision-making skills and the flexibility to perform well in a fast-moving environment.

Recruiter skills

• Strong communication and negotiation capabilities.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Familiarity with different interview formats, including telephone screens, face-to-face interviews and group interviews.
• Proficient in using social media platforms, CV databases and professional networks.

Recruiters are central to establishing the company’s foundations by bringing aboard the most suitable talent. They do more than fill vacancies — they help shape organisational culture and support business growth.

Paths to become a recruiter 

Most people begin their career in human resources or related areas as HR assistants or coordinators. Gaining experience across HR functions is important before specialising in recruitment. A common progression is to move from an HR generalist role into recruitment.

Career paths for a recruiter

• Senior recruiter: Leads complex hiring campaigns and recruitment strategy.
• Recruitment manager: Manages the recruitment team and shapes the overall recruiting approach.
• Director of talent acquisition: Oversees the organisation’s full hiring strategy and improves processes and systems across teams.

Other possible titles for a recruiter

• Talent acquisition specialist
• Hiring specialist
• Staffing coordinator