There is no set career path to become an information technology (IT) recruiter, though you will typically need to earn at least a four-year degree to qualify for this type of position. A degree in business, or related to human resources, can be useful for getting into a career as a recruiter in general, though a strong background in the information technology field can help you become an IT recruiter specifically. At a bare minimum, you will need to have a grasp of IT jargon and technical terms in order to serve your clients and locate the best prospects. The specific requirements to become an IT recruiter can also depend on whether you want to work for a recruiting company, a human resources (HR) department, or on a freelance basis. Some companies have very high standards for education and prior experience when hiring IT recruiters, while those factors can be less important when freelancing.
Information technology recruiters are responsible for locating and placing various technical staff for all different types of businesses. Like other types of recruiters, they seek out qualified personnel to fill open positions. Since information technology is such a highly technical field, IT recruiters typically need to have a solid understanding of computers, programming, networking, and other related subjects.
If you want to become an IT recruiter, there may be a number of different career paths open to you. There are no set educational requirements for IT recruiters, though many positions require at least a four-year degree. You may wish to pursue a degree in business, or a subject that is closely related to human resources, though a technical degree in computer science or engineering can also provide you with knowledge that will be very useful in this career. If you earn a computer science or engineering degree, you may want to work in the IT field as a programmer, system administrator, or another position after you graduate, which can be provide invaluable experience and help prepare you to become an IT recruiter.
It is not always necessary to have any formal post-secondary education to become an IT recruiter, as every company has its own hiring policy. The policies of corporate HR departments are different from independent recruiting firms, and you can also choose to work as a freelancer if you possess a strong enough understanding of the information technology industry, along with a lot of good contacts. If you can gain enough knowledge from working for a recruiter in any capacity, and have a strong grasp of information technology, you may also be able to succeed as a freelance IT recruiter.
