There’s a common misconception that you need extensive experience or a specific formal qualification to break into recruitment, but this isn’t the case! The truth is that you can start a successful career in this field with little to no prior experience. If you like to connect with people, solve challenges, and drive success, then you’d probably make a great recruiter.

In this article, we’ll take a look at how to get a job in recruitment with no experience, breaking down the steps you need to take from exploring the options to securing your first role as a trainee recruitment consultant. We’ll also dive into what makes a great recruiter, the essential qualities you need, and the career paths available to you once you’re in the industry.

Contents

What does a recruiter do?
5 steps: how to get a job in recruitment
How do you know if you would be a good recruiter?
What jobs can recruitment lead to?
Trainee recruitment jobs Southampton

What does a recruiter do?

A recruiter identifies, attracts, and selects qualified candidates for job vacancies within an organisation. They typically work in a niche market, becoming absolute experts in it. A recruiter’s job is to build relationships with candidates (the people looking for jobs) and clients (the businesses that candidates are supplied to).

What does a trainee recruitment consultant do?

Trainee recruitment consultants learn how to be great recruiters through a combination of on-the-job training and more formal education. When a trainee recruitment consultant first starts work they will spend a lot of time on the phone. They will be learning about recruitment and their niche market by asking questions and being curious until they are eventually an expert in their field.

Trainee recruitment consultant jobs Southampton

5 steps: How to get a job in recruitment

Here are five steps for how to get a job in recruitment:

1. Exploration: Explore recruitment jobs for beginners

The first step to getting a job in recruitment is to explore your options. Find jobs using job boards like CV Library and Indeed, or through a quick Google Search.

If you’re currently at university, you can also find recruitment jobs for graduates at careers fairs, open evenings, or through your university’s careers service.

If you’re currently at college or school, you can find trainee recruitment jobs (without degree) through careers fairs or open evenings at your college or other colleges.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket! Apply for an interview with multiple agencies, if you can, to get a feel for what you want.

2. Decision: Work out what your personal goals are

It’s important to determine what you want before jumping into a role as a trainee recruitment consultant.

It’s just as relevant to think about what you want as it is to think about what your future employer might want. Take some time to really think about what it is that you want to achieve with your job and ultimately your career.

3. Application: Research your potential employers

Before you apply for a role with a recruitment agency, do your research on the business and the sectors that they work in. Don’t be afraid to take a notepad full of notes to refer to if you get invited to an interview!

For example, at Highfield, we recruit specifically for critical infrastructure sectors. Think Water, Highways, Nuclear, Defence, Hi-Tech, and Data Centres.

4. Interview: Win over your interviewers with your curiosity

During your interview, don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. Asking your interviewers questions is a great way to a) find out more about the sectors and the role, and b) show your interest and enthusiasm.

Before your interview, research three or four interview questions that are relevant to the role you’re applying for.

5. Demonstrate: Show your personality and enthusiasm

Throughout your application process for your role as a trainee recruitment consultant, don’t forget to show your personality. Ultimately, recruitment is about people, so make sure you show potential employers and interviewers who you are and what motivates you.

Don’t forget to follow up with your interviewer and ask for feedback if you weren’t successful this time.

How do you know if you would be a good recruiter?

To find out if you would be a good recruiter, ask yourself the following questions:

Can you make conversation with anyone and everyone?
Do you believe you can achieve absolutely anything?
Does money drive you?
Do you have personal goals you want to achieve?

If the answer to these questions is a resounding “yes”, then it sounds like you’d be a great fit! Get in touch with us for a discussion about your future career in recruitment.

What are the 4 qualities a recruiter needs?

To be a recruiter you need four qualities:

Drive – A strong inner motivation to achieve goals and excel in your role. Driven recruiters are proactive, consistently seeking out new opportunities and striving to improve their performance.
Optimism – A positive outlook that helps you stay hopeful and confident, even in challenging situations. Optimistic recruiters see potential where others might see obstacles, and foster a can-do attitude that is crucial for success.
Adaptability – The ability to adjust to changing circumstances and embrace new challenges. Recruitment is a dynamic field, and being adaptable allows you to stay relevant and effective in a constantly evolving market.
Resilience – The capacity to recover quickly from setbacks and remain steadfast in the face of adversity. Resilient recruiters enjoy the challenge of a high-pressure job with frequent rejections, and remain motivated no matter what happens.

What qualifications do you need to be a recruiter?

You don’t need formal qualifications to be a recruiter. Just bring your authentic self and your best telephone voice! In the recruitment industry, your personality and ability to connect with others are far more valuable than a degree.

Employers like us are looking for individuals who can engage with candidates effectively, build rapport, and convey enthusiasm and professionalism over the phone. So, if you have a confident, friendly demeanour and a knack for making great first impressions, you already possess the essential tools to thrive in this field. Join us at our next recruitment open evening to find out more.

What jobs can recruitment lead to?

Starting in recruitment offers a range of career opportunities, and recruitment companies like us provide a structured path for your growth.

You can advance to management and leadership roles, where you’ll lead teams, set goals, and shape strategies for success.

Another possible path is client development, focusing on building relationships, understanding client needs, and identifying new business opportunities.

You might also move into account management, overseeing client accounts, managing the recruitment process, and ensuring client satisfaction.

Our progression plan supports your development at every stage, providing the training and resources you need to excel in these roles and achieve your career goals.

Recruitment jobs Southampton

Trainee recruitment jobs Southampton

Learn about our sectors

The Trust Equation: Highfield’s Foundation for Building Relationships

At the heart of Highfield’s approach is the ‘trust equation’. Trust, as we see it, is built on four critical pillars: reliability, credibility, relationship-building, and a customer-first mentality. These elements guide our interactions and help us maintain the high level of trust we’ve earned over the years.

Reliability: In recruitment, reliability means doing what we say we will do. When clients and candidates trust us with their recruitment needs, we deliver on our promises. This could be meeting deadlines, providing timely updates, or offering honest feedback. Our consultants are known for their reliability, ensuring that both clients and candidates feel supported throughout the entire recruitment journey.
Credibility: Highfield’s team is composed of experts in specific sectors, ranging from critical infrastructure to data centres. Our in-depth knowledge of these industries adds a layer of credibility to our work, allowing clients and candidates to trust that they are in capable hands. We provide advice tailored to the individual, offering insights based on experience and data to help guide clients towards the best hiring decisions and candidates towards the ideal roles.
Relationship-Building: We understand that recruitment is not just about filling positions but building long-term relationships. Highfield places great emphasis on maintaining strong connections with both clients and candidates. Whether it’s through regular check-ins, open communication, or personalised service, our goal is to create enduring partnerships. By investing time in understanding the unique needs of each client and candidate, we foster trust that goes beyond the transactional nature of recruitment.
Customer-First Mentality: Putting the customer first is more than just a principle; it is our mission. Highfield’s recruitment consultants are trained to listen, understand, and prioritise the needs of the people they work with. This customer-first approach ensures that clients and candidates receive the best possible experience, with solutions tailored to their specific goals. We also encourage feedback at every stage of the recruitment process, constantly learning and improving to ensure we are meeting the high standards expected of us.

Transparency as the Key to Trust

At Highfield, transparency is the bedrock of our recruitment philosophy. We believe in being open and honest with both our clients and candidates. From providing detailed insights into the recruitment process to giving candid feedback on performance, we ensure that there are no surprises along the way. This transparency builds confidence, helping both clients and candidates feel secure in their decision-making processes.

Feedback-Driven Improvement

Feedback plays a crucial role in how we build and maintain trust. We are continually discontent with our feedback scores, always striving to learn and improve. Our consultants review client and candidate feedback weekly, identifying areas where we can enhance our service. This commitment to improvement is central to building long-lasting relationships, as it demonstrates our dedication to delivering the best possible experience.

Conclusion

Trust is the foundation upon which Highfield has built its success. Through reliability, credibility, strong relationship-building, and a customer-first mentality, we have earned the trust of our clients and candidates across the industries we serve. By maintaining transparency and continuously seeking to improve based on feedback, we ensure that trust is not just built but sustained over time. At Highfield, we do more than just fill vacancies – we build relationships based on mutual respect and trust, ensuring success for both clients and candidates alike.