Recruitment consultants help high level managers and executives find individuals who are good fits for job openings. To become a recruitment consultant trainee, it is a good idea to get an undergraduate or graduate degree in management, human resources, or marketing and communications. Another way to become a recruitment consultant trainee is to find work at a recruitment agency where managers are willing to train you. To find this kind of position, however, you usually have to have several years of human resource work experience.
For the most part, recruitment consultants have at least five to seven years background in human resources. A person who would like to become a recruitment consultant trainee should establish him or herself as a serious human resource professional, which might require him or her to complete an undergraduate degree program first in a related field. Most recruitment consultant trainees are paid for their work, though students might do internships instead, for which they receive either academic credit toward their degrees or partial tuition.
The best way to become a recruitment consultant trainee for many people is to enroll in a relevant college or graduate program, like business, communications, or marketing. In many business programs, students do have the option to major specifically in human resources, though other students might find that they have to major in a subject such as management or communications with an emphasis on human resource management. If you are unsure about which classes you should take or in which subject you should major, it is a good idea to consult a faculty adviser.
Most programs that offer majors in human resources or in similar subjects give students opportunities for internships. To become a recruitment consultant trainee, you should attend all job fairs and meet-and-greet sessions with representatives from local businesses. You should prepare for these fairs by reading up on the recruitment industry in your area. It's also a good idea to have a resume with accomplishments, like time worked in human resources or with job seekers, as well as skills like interviewing or networking.
If you have been a human resource professional for a good amount of time, the best way to become a recruitment consultant trainee might be to apply for recruitment positions. Even if you have years of related experience, you still might need to train to learn about a new position and company policy. It also is common for positions with greater degrees of responsibility to require new skills and bodies of knowledge.
