What does a recruitment consultant do? (2024)

Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

With our unemployment rate falling to 3.4% in October 2022 – the lowest we’ve seen in decades – the demand for talent in Australia’s current job market has shown no sign of slowing down.

The result?

Companies and their HR teams are facing a new set of challenges around recruitment. As employers compete in the current candidate-driven market, recruitment consultants are now in high demand to find and place top talent in well-matched roles.

So, what does a recruitment consultant do?

Here’s a look at what our Australian recruiters do and how to know if it could be your next perfect career move.

What are the roles and responsibilities of a recruitment consultant?

Put simply, a recruitment consultant is responsible for finding and attracting candidates and matching them to roles with client organisations.

Recruiters are the vital link between those looking to hire and those looking for a job. They’re problem-solvers who work closely with both sides to achieve long-term professional solutions.

Common roles and responsibilities include:

• Using networking, marketing, and sales techniques to attract new job vacancy orders from client companies.
• Gaining a thorough understanding of each client’s business, their industry, what they do, their work environment and team culture.
• Advertising vacant roles across relevant media platforms, including social media, to attract ideal candidates.
• Sourcing suitable candidates by headhunting, networking, and leveraging CV searching techniques.
• Maintaining deep networks with qualified job seekers suitable for our clients roles
• Offering candidates CV, interview, and general career advice.
• Briefing candidates on the responsibilities of the job and the salary and benefits offered by the client.
• Managing the entire process from receiving applications and short-listing candidates to managing interviews and presenting offers.
• Negotiating salary rates and the terms and conditions of employment.
• Finalising all arrangements between a candidate and client.

Related: Find out more about our recruitment consultant roles and opportunities.

However, being a recruitment consultant is more than just ticking the boxes.

Quality recruiters don’t match candidates to roles based solely on their skills and employment history. Since every job and workplace is different, it’s crucial that a good cultural fit is taken into consideration.

There’s also a common misconception that recruiters charge candidates to be on their database. Or take a portion of a candidate’s salary from them.

The reality is, the hiring company pays recruitment consultants to find and recommend suitable candidates for their vacancy.

What’s more, the final decision about who gets hired is always made by the client.

What does a recruitment consultant do day-to-day?

Most recruiters cover similar responsibilities. However, the day-to-day role will look different depending on the organisation you work with.

Here at Robert Half, recruitment consultant Tanya Beets describes her position as one of partnership:

“We’re in the business of partnering with candidates to find them their next ideal role. We give them advice on what they can improve on, from CV format to interview style.”

Best of all is the variety of tasks she enjoys in her recruitment role:

“Not only do we consult – but we advise and coach candidates on how to improve their CVs. We advise them on current market trends and offer career and salary advice. Plus, we coach them on how to interview for their ideal job.”

Related: Discover if becoming a Recruitment Consultant is a good career choice for you.

What expectations do clients have of their recruitment consultant?

To achieve the best hiring outcomes, recruiters must work closely with employers to better understand their organisation and recruitment requirements.

When it comes to helping them find suitable candidates, clients expect their recruitment consultant to:

• Be transparent about the candidates they represent
• Develop a strong understanding of their business to represent the company to the same standard
• Supply support information, such as salary benchmarking, market statistics, and competitor benefit comparisons
• Provide clear information on all candidates, including CVs and background checks
• Offer regular progress updates

What expectations do candidates have when working with a recruiter?

Although recruitment consultants are hired by the client, they must also build relationships with relevant candidates to assess their suitability for jobs and help guide them through the recruitment process.

When it comes to matching them to ideal roles, jobseekers expect their recruitment consultant to:

• Match them to relevant job vacancies and promote them to these potential employers
• Give honest and constructive feedback on CV presentation and job interview techniques
• Provide all available information about the job responsibilities and opportunities to accommodate an informed decision
• Support any negotiations relating to salary and employment conditions to secure the best package without jeopardising the job offer
• Keep in regular contact while waiting for new vacancies to become available

Why is a recruitment consultant role so rewarding?

Who wouldn’t want a job that gives you the opportunity to change lives? Few things have a more significant impact on a person’s life than finding their dream job.

Tanya Beets understands this feeling first-hand:

“The best part of my job as a recruiter is finding a role for a well-deserving candidate who’s ecstatic and so happy to accept a new role. It’s life-changing for some people and their families! Plus, interacting with people from all walks of life and cultures is so rewarding. I also love that candidates remember you, even years later, and come back if you’ve helped them. Or recommend you to friends and family.”

As a recruiter, you play an important role in supporting candidates at pivotal moments in their careers. It’s also a role that expands your knowledge in ways you couldn’t have predicted at the start of your career.

In such a dynamic role, you’ll learn a lot about different company cultures, industries, company structures, representation, negotiation, and more.

Related: Find out more about the benefits of a rewarding consulting career at Robert Half.

Keen to work with Robert Half as a recruitment consultant?

Now that you know what a recruitment consultant does, perhaps it’s the career move you’ve been looking for.

If you have a passion for people, outstanding communication skills, a great work ethic, and experience in the finance, technology or business support industry, a new career as a recruitment consultant could be right for you.

And because we’re committed to investing in your success, you’ll get all the training and development you need to become one of the very best recruitment consultants in the industry.

In fact, no other recruitment agency gives you the career growth opportunities you’ll find at Robert Half.