Do you have one or two years of experience in a job that just doesn’t seem like the right long-term fit? If you’re based in a customer service, sales or in-house support role, there’s a very good chance you’ll already have the perfect transferable skills to train as a recruiter with us!
Our 12-week, fully paid Desk Ready programme is a fantastic stepping stone into a long and successful career in recruitment. Our modern, inclusive culture and expert mentors will provide all the tools, support and guidance you need to thrive. Plus, you’ll earn a full salary as you work towards your first promotion.
Throughout this year, we’ll be searching for highly motivated and results-driven individuals to join our programme and become part of our growing teams in Nottingham and London King’s Cross.
What does a recruiter do?
In a nutshell, recruiters match talented people (candidates) with great employers (clients), helping both find the right fit. Our job is to connect businesses with the ideal hire to support their goals while helping candidates take the next step in their careers.
Distinct’s UK business operates across six core markets in the Midlands and Greater London, partnering with a range of clients – from smaller companies through to large organisations and household name brands. We support our candidates to find their next career move with these employers – on a permanent, contract or temporary basis.
For those who are resilient, hard working and enjoy working with people, a career in recruitment offers both challenge and reward. During training, you’ll learn how to effectively connect with people every day, helping candidates land their dream jobs and supporting clients in growing their teams.
The top jobs to transition into recruitment
Various jobs help develop the key skills needed to thrive in our recruitment training programme. Roles that require strong organisation, clear communication and people management provide a great foundation for success in recruitment – where people are at the heart of everything you do. Here are just a few examples:
1. Sales or telemarketing
- A target-driven mindset and experience tracking performance metrics will be invaluable for monitoring your weekly activities and progress toward KPIs.
- Your negotiation skills will come in handy when setting recruitment fees with clients and securing the best salaries for candidates.
2. Customer service
- Strong interpersonal and listening skills will be invaluable when assessing candidates and pitching; highlighting what sets that particular job or individual apart from the crowd.
- Experience balancing phone and email conversations with multiple customers, all while staying responsive and professional, will translate well into managing client and candidate relationships in your day-to-day.
3. Administrative support
- Scheduling and coordinating meetings will be a key part of your role, from booking interviews and in-person meetings, to arranging follow-up calls.
- Database management and record keeping skills will help you when tracking candidates’ progress and updating job listings accurately.
4. HR support
- Experience in maintaining confidentiality when handling employee contracts and business records will be highly useful, as you’ll manage and safeguard customers’ private information.
- Working with diverse groups means you’ll be able to assess candidates fairly and match them to roles in an unbiased, HR-compliant way.
5. Accounts or payroll
- Accuracy and attention to detail when managing payments and invoices can transfer seamlessly into reviewing CVs, verifying credentials and ensuring compliance.
- Experience with spreadsheets and financial software will provide a solid base for learning recruitment CRM tools, which are essential for managing client leads, tracking job applications and interviews and handling job offers.
This is just a snapshot of jobs that can help develop the skills for a successful career in recruitment. If you have experience in any of these areas – or similar transferable skills – apply today to start your journey as a recruiter.
Once you’re on board, you’ll be guided through a comprehensive 12-week training programme designed to equip you with key recruitment skills, setting you up for long-term success in the industry.
What will I learn if I train to become a recruiter with Distinct?
Throughout your Desk Ready training, you’ll complete target-led exercises and deliver presentations to keep your progress on track. Here are just a few of the essential skills you’ll learn:
- Pitching: Mastering the art of presenting job opportunities to candidates and matching candidates with clients. It’s where the magic happens and success comes from being able to advocate for both the role and the individual – accurately and without bias.
- Objection handling: Getting comfortable with hearing ‘no’ and learning to navigate it effectively. You’ll be coached on common objections during phone calls and face-to-face conversations with strategies for overcoming them.
- Compliance: Gaining a clear understanding of the steps that must be followed, to ensure all recruitment activities are compliant, safeguarding the business and our customers.
- Advert writing: There are thousands of job adverts online, but candidates will only apply to ones that successfully grab their attention. You’ll learn how to write effective job adverts that attract high-quality candidates.
- Business development: Learning various techniques for identifying key contacts, understanding their needs and engaging effectively to establish and maintain lasting professional relationships.
As you progress, you’ll be given plenty of one-to-one support and regular check-ins from our recruitment experts. While recruitment is challenging, it can also be incredibly fulfilling – just ask our recruiters. For more information on what to expect, visit our Desk Ready training hub.
Train to become a recruiter with Distinct
Our paid training programme is a fantastic opportunity for anyone eager to apply and develop their existing skills in an exciting new career – and we have multiple openings at our Nottingham HQ and Central London hub!
For all our teams, we’re proud to offer a fantastic work-life balance and benefits package; ranging from company car allowances to team incentives, annual Vegas trips and beyond. Find out more and apply to join our Desk Ready training programme here.
If you’d like to learn more about what it’s like to be a recruiter, consider reading our experts’ top 5 reasons to choose a recruitment career; gathered from 10 to 22 years in the sector!
