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Laura McNair
Permanent team
London
Recruitment
The recruitment department within an HR function will be responsible for all recruitment activity within the organisation. Recruitment can be split into the different areas of support recruitment (i.e. secretaries, administrators), experienced hire recruitment (all non-support staff) and graduate recruitment (graduates coming into an organisation on a specific graduate scheme). Depending on the size of an organisation, a member of the recruitment team will cover one or more of those areas.
Recruitment does not simply entail interviewing and appointing candidates. The process starts with the notification of a vacancy and often does not finish until the appointed candidate has been inducted into the organisation.
The smooth running of Recruitment Administration is fundamental to the perception of Recruitment within an organisation. It is important that a positive impression is created through getting things done on a timely basis, as well as responding positively to queries and requests. It can be a very busy position (due to volume of staff changes) and the person must be able to thrive on coping with a full and varied workload and meeting strict deadlines.
These roles generally require previous administration experience (not necessarily within HR) and a proficient use of systems (typically Microsoft Office package). An HR related degree is preferred but is not always essential (any business-related or psychology degree is also seen as highly relevant). Individuals need to be organised, accurate, methodical and aware of priorities. Good communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as is the ability to deal with staff at all levels as well as external parties. Salaries for these roles will typically range from £18,000 - £25,000, depending on the industry.
Typical duties carried out by a Recruitment Administrator, Assistant or Co-ordinator may include the following:
- Liaising with internal/external parties, managing all applications (including those received direct, via e-mail and from recruitment agencies), circulating CVs to relevant parties.
- Arranging, co-ordinating and monitoring interviews, maintaining relevant database information (CVs received, candidates in progress).
- Ensuring timely feedback to applicants, candidates and recruitment consultants.
- Preparing offer letters, contracts and all relevant joining documentation.
- Processing joining administration (including reference taking, arranging medicals, benefits administration and facilitating all joining arrangements).
- Arranging induction plan, preparing induction information and entering all relevant information on to database (starters’ database and staff benefits list).
- Requesting probation appraisals on a timely basis and conducting follow-up administration.
Individuals will typically spend a couple of years in an administration role before moving into an Officer/Advisor level role. At this level you would become more involved with the selection of candidates (i.e. carrying out interviews and running assessment centres) rather than purely looking at the process. You would also have more involvement with the business and start to form relationships with Line Managers in order to better understand their recruitment needs. At this level the requirement for the CIPD qualification is greater, and some organisations may require individuals to carry out psychometric testing.
