Beyond recruitment: the transferable skills that stay with you for life

Recruitment skills that pay off long-term

Some of the most transferable recruitment skills include:

Communication/people skills

Good at talking the talk? Recruiters need to be effective communicators who can demonstrate empathy, patience and active listening too. From interacting with clients and candidates in person, over the phone and online, to building a personal brand and compelling recruitment campaigns, you need clear communication and people skills. As a recruiter, you’ll be able to articulate ideas effectively and negotiate business deals successfully. With 86% of employees and executives citing the lack of communication as the main causes for workplace failures, it’s a life skill that’s highly transferable.

Problem-solving

In recruitment, unexpected situations and problems can arise frequently, and recruiters need to be able to come up with solutions on the spot. You must be able to analyse problems, find creative solutions, and implement them quickly. These kinds of skills are really useful not only in recruitment but in industries including technology, marketing, and finance, and let’s face it, life. In fact, a study by iCIMS found that the most important soft skill was problem-solving, with 62% of hirers seeking people who can find solutions to everyday workplace scenarios.

Sales skills

The very best recruiters can sell opportunities to potential candidates, convince clients to choose their agency, and negotiate fees. In your role as a recruiter, you’ll be able to highlight the benefits of you/your agency’s service, differentiate yourself from the competition and handle objections too. Sales skills are fundamental in business, and they will always be irreplaceable by machines or AI.  After all, people buy from people!

Networking

Recruiters are able to network and establish relationships with both clients and candidates. Building strong relationships and rapport is one of the most important aspects of recruitment you’ll learn, and developing the ability to connect with people will help you in all kinds of different industries. 80% of professionals believe career success can be elevated through professional networking. So, don’t delay in building valuable connections to unlock the door to new opportunities and beneficial partnerships.

Business acumen

In recruitment, you become an expert in your field, sector and in identifying opportunities. You experience many areas of business and gain a deep understanding of people, legalities, financial elements, economic landscapes, and how companies operate. These are all skills that will serve you well in any future role.

Time management

Recruiters are constantly juggling various tasks throughout the day. They need to manage time effectively to ensure they meet tight deadlines, sales targets and prioritise workload. Being able to manage time effectively is a highly valuable skill in many industries, and will help you become more productive and efficient, as well as reduce stress and anxiety.

Attributes of successful recruiters

So, we understand which skills you’ll master in recruitment that can be used elsewhere, but what does it take to be a successful recruiter in the first place?

Resilience

How thick-skinned are you? Recruiting can be a challenging industry, and it takes a resilient person to succeed. You’ll often face rejection or challenging situations, but it’s important to be able to stay positive and bounce back quickly. A successful recruiter can handle setbacks and maintain a positive attitude throughout. Not sure that you’re quite there yet? Forbes suggests that resilience is 100% learnable and that everyone can become more aware of how they respond to experiences.

Passion

Enthusiasm and passion for recruitment and sales are essential for success in this industry. Ultimately, you’re responsible for changing lives, but it’s a sales-based role. Genuine enthusiasm for doing this will help you stay motivated and make your work enjoyable.

Competitive and entrepreneurial 

Recruitment’s a high-pressure, results-driven industry, where you’ll clearly see the impact of your efforts paying off. Successful recruiters are those who are motivated to work hard on building their own market to achieve their targets. A competitive mindset helps you stay focused and productive, which is essential for success in the recruitment world.

Growth mindset

Recruitment’s an ever-changing industry, and recruiters must be able to adapt to new situations quickly. Whether it’s a change in a client’s requirements or a drastic change in the market, the best recruiters are flexible and ready to pivot their strategy when necessary. Data from McKinsey & Company showed that people proficient in adaptability were 24% more likely to be employed. So, work on remaining flexible to stay ahead of the curve and thrive in the unpredictable situations that commonly arise in recruitment.

The rewards of a career in recruitment

Recruitment is a highly rewarding career option. Unlike some other industries, you have an appreciation of how different markets, industries and companies work, cross over and impact each other. You learn valuable business skills and build up a range of transferable hard and soft skills to become a very well-rounded person.

Apollo Solutions provides great opportunities for career progression, training, and personal development. Think recruitment could be for you? Get in touch to discuss how you can become part of the team!