How Do I Become a Technical Recruiter?

A technical recruiter locates prospective employees for specialized positions in a corporate or government workplace. In order to become a technical recruiter, you must first earn a bachelor’s degree in a technical specialty. An extensive amount of on-the-job training is also usually required to become a technical recruiter. You must thoroughly understand all aspects of the technical recruitment process before beginning this career. Professional and personal qualities such as teamwork and enthusiasm are also needed to become a technical recruiter.

A recruiter in the technical field specializes in locating and screening candidates for certain professional positions. These candidates typically have highly specialized skills in technology that must closely fit a specific job vacancy. A technical recruiter may be knowledgeable in several different fields or specialize in a particular one. A professional with a wide variety of knowledge may be employed by corporations, educational institutions, government, or private recruiting agencies or work independently as a freelance technical recruiter.

You must be formally educated in a particular technical area before you become a professional recruiter. A bachelor’s degree is usually needed to begin training for this career. It is often helpful to major in one technical specialty and minor in another. You may also want to participate in an internship program while earning your college degree. Completion of an internship may decrease the amount of on-the-job training needed to become a technical recruiter.

Successful technical recruiters often spend years working in a technical industry until they attain a management position. You will gain valuable knowledge of an industry’s inner workings as you make your way through the employment ranks. Practical knowledge of a specific technical field will usually help you recruit prospective job candidates more effectively. Management experience may give you a better understanding of exactly what potential employers are seeking in an employee. This work experience may also help you develop a network of industry contacts for future recruiting purposes.

Before you become a technical recruiter, you must have a thorough understanding of the entire process. You will need to know where to find potential candidates and how to screen their highly technical resumes to match a job vacancy. It is also important to know how to present a qualified candidate to a prospective employer. These skills are often acquired through trial and error, but working as an apprentice or the equivalent for a veteran recruiter may be beneficial.

You must also develop the professional and personal skills needed for this career as you gain practical experience. Professional skills such as Internet technology and database management and teamwork are often essential for this occupation. Personal traits such as enthusiasm, innovation, and a personable disposition will also be beneficial to your success. These skills will enable you to work effectively on behalf of both job seekers and prospective employers.