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How to Smash Your First-Year Targets as a Recruitment Consultant

Dec 22, 2025

Embarking on a career as a recruitment consultant can be exciting and challenging, often in equal measures. When you’re just starting, you might be a little daunted by the targets set by your manager, and a little unsure of how to hit them. We’ve put together a little guide on how you can make a big impact in your first twelve months. 


1. Set clear, achievable goals for yourself 

Breaking down the annual targets you’ve been given into your own monthly, weekly, and even daily goals can make them much more manageable. This approach allows you to adjust your strategies as you go and celebrate small wins, keeping your motivation high. 

Example: Set yourself goals based on activity (e.g. 100 calls per week) rather than outcomes (e.g. one placement per month) to start off with. By focusing on this more manageable target, you can better strategise and monitor your progress. 


2. Cultivate strong relationships

In recruitment, relationships are everything. Focus on building genuine connections with both clients and candidates. Learn who they are as well as what they do. Your ability to understand their needs and aspirations will set you apart from the rest when it comes to recruitment, so focus on really learning your sector so you can be more consultative and less transactional. 


3. Embrace continuous learning

Recruitment is ever-evolving, and staying ahead means constantly learning. For us, that means investing in Learning & Development, and most recently in personal branding and AI.

Embracing learning opportunities with open arms means not only do you stay updated on the latest industry trends and techniques, but your recruitment toolkit is ever expanding. 


4. Build up your drive and resilience

Recruitment is a high-performance environment. It’s essential to maintain drive and resilience, even when faced with challenges. Remember, every “no” brings you closer to a “yes.”

You may think that these are traits some people are born with, but that’s not the case. They’re actually muscles you can flex and grow by practising a positive mindset when faced with challenges. Setbacks are part of the journey. Use them as learning experiences to refine your approach and strategies. 


5. Take advantage of rewards and incentives

Lean in to the incentives offered at your recruitment agency, whether it’s uncapped commission, travel opportunities, or flexi Fridays (or in our case, all three!) these systems are designed to recognise your hard work and dedication. These perks are more than just benefits – they’re tools to enhance your work-life balance and job satisfaction, so make use of them! 


Ready to make an impact?

If you’re ready to embark on a rewarding career with us, explore our vacancies, submit your CV, or speak directly to Elle Jones, our Talent Acquisition Lead (elle.jones@highfieldps.co.uk).

Take the first step towards smashing your targets and building a career on your terms!