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Did you know that there is more than just one type of recruiting or headhunting? While some recruiters focus on placing candidates in permanent positions, other recruiters work specifically in Contract or Temporary placement. Contract recruiting is very fast-paced and exciting. You are rewarded based on the results achieved and diligently work to not only bring in the best candidates in a short period of time, but also ensure the client company is making the right hiring decisions. One key step to achieving this goal is to ensure you are educating your client on market trends so they are able to make confident staffing choices.

Could a job as a contract recruiter be the right career move for you? Here’s what you need to know about contract recruiter jobs:

Multiple companies, one mission. A contract recruiter is a professional employee recruiter who works with a number of client companies placing candidates for a set period of time or project. Contract recruiters may place candidates with a company for specialized projects such as a system implementation, to cover an interim leave such as maternity or long-term medical leave, or to cover a role until a permanent candidate is identified. A contract recruiter is typically retained to act as an employer’s hiring liaison when they need a candidate to fill a role ASAP. Sometimes a company will want a contractor to start as soon as the next day! Contract recruiters must be flexible as your priorities can change in an instant.

Never stop learning. As a contract recruiter, you’ll be responsible for filling a number of positions with a number of client companies at one time. To be successful as a contract recruiter, you need to be naturally curious with the ability to quickly pick up knowledge on the go. For example, I work with companies in accounting and finance and despite my strong financial background, I still find myself learning new, industry-specific details depending on the type of client with whom I’m working.

Trust is everything. Successful contract recruiters cultivate a relationship of trust and respect with both the client company as well the candidates they are recruiting. As a contract recruiter, candidates will see you as an agent of the company. Consequently, candidates will want to know that the job you are offering them is truly in their best interest for furthering their career goals – and not just for filling a vacancy. Contract recruiters see hiring trends across the market that may not be readily apparent to just one company; educating clients on these trends is essential to companies obtaining and retaining the best contract talent available.

Do you think contract recruiting could be the career path for you? I’d love to hear from you. Leave a note in the comments below:

What Does a Contract Recruiter Do? by

Anya Hurtado Senior Partner – Accounting and Finance