Job description: recruiter

Recruiters shape an organisation’s workforce by identifying, attracting and appointing top talent. This position directly affects the quality of new hires and, in turn, influences company culture, performance and long-term success.

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Get your recruitment moving with this flexible recruiter job description template. Perfect for job boards or your careers page, it provides a clear starting point to list the main responsibilities and skills for the role — simply adapt it to suit your team’s needs and the opportunities for your new recruiter.

About the organisation

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

About the recruiter position

As a recruiter at [Your Company], you will play a key role in our success by sourcing, assessing and securing high-calibre candidates.

What you'll be responsible for

• Design and implement recruiting approaches that attract a diverse pool of qualified, capable candidates for the organisation.
• Work closely with hiring managers to define role requirements and prepare detailed job descriptions.
• Review CVs and applications and carry out initial phone screenings to build a shortlist of suitable candidates.
• Arrange and coordinate interviews with hiring managers and other stakeholders.
• Build and maintain relationships with previous applicants and prospective candidates for future vacancies.
• Stay up to date with recruitment trends and new sourcing techniques to remain competitive in hiring best practice.

Recruiter qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience working as a recruiter, either in-house or within a staffing agency.
• Solid knowledge of recruitment processes and candidate selection methods.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and manage a range of stakeholders.
• Proven experience using HR software and candidate databases.
• Good judgement and the flexibility to perform well in a fast-paced environment.

Key skills

• Strong communication and negotiation abilities.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Capacity to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Experience with a variety of interview formats, including phone screens, in-person interviews and panel interviews.
• Comfortable using social media platforms, CV databases and professional networks.

Recruiters are central to the company's foundation, bringing the right people on board. They do more than fill roles — they help shape organisational culture and support business growth.

How to become a recruiter 

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

Career paths for a recruiter

• Senior recruiter: Oversees complex hiring campaigns and recruitment strategy.
• Recruitment manager: Leads the recruitment team and develops the overall hiring strategy.
• Director of talent acquisition: Heads the organisation’s entire hiring strategy and improves processes and systems across teams.

Other job titles

• Talent acquisition specialist
• Hiring specialist
• Staffing coordinator