What role to apply for when changing careers to recruitment?
What Career Path Should I Pursue in Recruitment?
I’m reaching out to those in the recruitment field for advice on potential roles I could apply for as I consider a career change into this industry.
While I don’t have direct experience in recruitment, I bring 15 years of expertise in estate agency and currently run a lettings agency as a sole director, which has provided me with a solid foundation in customer relations and sales.
My partner works part-time at a large corporate bank. With four kids at home, the rigid hours and stress she faces can be overwhelming. I’ve frequently thought about transitioning into recruitment; it’s a career I would likely have pursued had my lettings business not taken off.
I’m contemplating making the switch to recruitment, allowing my partner to take over my agency. This could significantly boost her income and provide her with the flexibility she craves while alleviating some of her stress.
My question is: should I aim for trainee recruitment roles, or would my background be sufficient for a recruitment consultant position despite my lack of direct experience? I recognize the importance of starting somewhere, but I also believe that many skills are transferable. Besides learning specific recruitment techniques, my experience in client interaction should allow me to hit the ground running.
I’m concerned about the initial low salary associated with trainee positions and the lengthy training periods of 3 to 9 months before being able to generate business. While I’m conscious that a transitional salary decrease is something I could handle, I would prefer not to spend 12 to 18 months in a trainee role with minimal opportunities to earn commission when I could potentially begin producing results more quickly as a consultant.
Has anyone in the industry experienced a similar transition? Am I being realistic, or should I gear my expectations toward trainee roles? Any insights would be greatly appreciated!
