A professional recruitment career can be one of the most rewarding careers you will find, however it is not for everyone. It takes some very special attributes to be a top achiever within our industry. 

The good news is that being a top recruitment achiever has nothing to do with having a degree or working long hours (although this will definitely not do you any harm).

It has everything to do with working smartly, remaining focused, having a GREAT ATTITUDE, being pro active, having the ability to think on your feet and being able to religiously follow processes and maintain activity levels. If you can set and keep focused on your goals and have good communication, follow up, time management and interpersonal skills you have the ability to become an outstanding recruiter.  If you have previous industry experience within the recruitment area you plan to specialise in, this will also be a great advantage, however it isn't essential. Some of the best recruiters I have come across have had no prior industry experience.

When I first embarked on my Recruitment & HR Career, life would have been a whole lot easier if someone had taken the time to tell me the attributes which help world class recruiters stand above the rest.  

Those who do embark on a professional recruitment career and take it very seriously, will not only find it very rewarding, they can also become very high income earners (many top performing recruitment consultants earn more than doctors or lawyers).

However to be successful within our industry you must be able to develop strategies to cope with seasonal cycles, fluctuating highs and lows and a steep learning curve which may include some disappointments on the way. If you can develop the Attributes of Top Recruitment Achievers you will be well on your way to a fantastic career that in my opinion is one of the best.

Joan McDermott
BA (Psych) UNSW, MBA (Bond) MRCSA, AFAIM
Managing Director