What are Retail Recruiters?

Recruiters are hired to find qualified people that companies can hire for various jobs. Some recruiters focus on a specific industry. Retail recruiters specialize in finding retail store employees. Job vacancies filled with the help of retail recruiters typically include staff members who work on the sales floor, manage a store or several stores, and work in retailers’ corporate offices.

Department stores, specialty shops, and other retail outlets are all potential customers for retail recruiters. Using a recruiter can save a company time, since the recruiter completes much of the time-consuming legwork during the hiring process. Relying on the recruiter’s network of contacts can also help the company attract a larger pool of qualified job applicants.

The first step in finding job candidates is to announce that a retail job is available. This is usually done by posting the position details on a job board website, on the recruiter’s website, and in local newspapers. Job seekers submit their resumes in response to these ads.

The recruiter then filters out anyone who does not qualify for the posted job. At this time, the recruiter completes interviews with some qualified applicants to find the strongest matches for the posted position. Interviews may take place in person or over the telephone. Retailer recruiters perform reference checks and confirm job history and education listed on each resume before sending candidates on to the hiring company for another interview.

The hiring manager receives a group of resumes and determines which people will be given an interview at the company. Based on the job level, one or more meetings with different personnel will be required. When the hiring manager selects the person to be hired, an offer is sent to the retail recruiter. The recruiter forwards the offer to the applicant who may accept the offer, decline the offer, or make a counter-offer.

When an offer or counter-offer is accepted, the person is hired. Retail recruiters usually end their involvement in the hiring process at this point. The hiring company pays the recruiter for its services. Payment is most often a percentage of the employee’s first year salary. Most often, the employee does not pay the recruiter at all.

Payment timing depends on the agreement made with the hiring company. Generally, retailer recruiters work on either a contingency or contract basis. Under a contingency plan, retail recruiters are paid only when one of their job applicants is hired. Usually, payment is made within 90 days after the hire date.

Contract retailer recruiters are paid upfront. Payment is usually made in stages such as one-third upfront, one-third during the selection process, and the final one-third paid when the employee is hired. Contract recruiters usually fill higher-level executive positions, while contingency recruiters work to fill entry-level to middle management jobs.