“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” might very well describe the recruiting life in 2017. Although recruiters have become go-to staff members amid a talent shortage, the talent shortage has made the job more difficult. Every indication is that 2018 will bring more of the same.
Is this job really for you?
If you enjoy certain aspects of recruiting but dislike others, it may be time to take a look at your career. Talent acquisition is a broad field, with many opportunities – and, as you know, it’s a job seeker’s market.
What You Like
Before striking out in a new direction, it’s helpful to first assess what you like about your current role. For example:
- I enjoy interviewing candidates.
- Recruiting metrics fascinate me.
- Writing job ads is a lot of fun.
- I love learning new ways to use technology.
Make a list of everything you like about recruiting. Then rearrange the list, in order of importance, placing what you like most at the top of the list.
What You Dislike
After doing this, make a list of what you dislike about your job. For example:
- The pressure to find and place candidates can be very stressful.
- My pay is not consistent.
- Recruiting requires too much interaction with others – I’m an introvert.
- Priorities seem to change constantly – I like to plan ahead.
Again, rearrange the list, in order of importance, placing what you dislike most at the top of the list.
Exploring Your Options
Once you have a clear picture of your likes and dislikes, you’re ready to start thinking about other opportunities in talent acquisition and related fields.
Is research your thing? If so, you may want to consider sourcing. Over the years, the field has grown from a recruiting function to its own discipline. Today, many large companies have an entire department devoted to sourcing candidates.
Are you a numbers geek? People analytics, which includes recruiting metrics, is a burgeoning field. Companies increasingly rely on this data to make business decisions. Large companies often have a staff, if not an entire department, dedicated to analyzing HR data.
Are you a wordsmith? Strong writing skills and a background in recruiting are qualifications for many jobs. Companies need individuals who can create engaging website content and other employer branding material, as well as job ads, social media posts, and more. A corporate position is one option; another is to work with a firm that provides these services.
Are you a techie? Knowledge of and interest in recruitment and related technology could put you on a new career path – within a corporate environment or with a solutions provider.
Do you like to sell? If you live to “close the deal,” and you’re fine with fluctuations in pay, you may want to consider working as a salesperson for a solutions provider – especially if you’re passionate about the solutions the company offers.
Does the law intrigue you? This one may seem like a leap. But if you find yourself drawn to the legal side of recruiting and hiring, you may want to consider pursuing a legal career. Employment law is an interesting, dynamic field with many opportunities. Yes, you would have to get a law degree, which will take time to earn. However, there are online learning opportunities designed for busy professionals that make it easier. The Online Master of Jurisprudence in Labor and Employment Law program at Tulane University, for example, allows students to graduate in as few as two years. Another plus: The program is tailored to HR and business professionals.
These are only a few possible directions your career might take. As you can see, you have a wide range of options. If you’re feeling like it’s time for a change, it probably is. Why not start exploring?
Recruiting Daily Advisor Contributing Editor Paula Santonocito is a certified career coach; she holds a Workforce Career Coach Facilitator (WCCF) certificate from Thomas Edison State University and has been awarded the Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) designation from the Center for Credentialing and Education.
 |
Paula Santonocito, Contributing Editor for Recruiting Daily Advisor, is a business journalist specializing in employment issues. She is the author of more than 1,000 articles on a wide range of human resource and career topics, with an emphasis on recruiting and hiring. Her articles have been featured in many global and domestic publications and information outlets, referenced in academic and legal publications as well as books, and translated into several languages. |