8 Different Recruiter Titles You Might Not Know About

In the recruitment world, we come across a plethora of titles, each sounding fancier than the last. After researching some of the biggest recruitment companies I’ve gathered the most common recruiter job titles and their duty descriptions. You might wonder how I know all this, despite not having worked at these companies. Believe me, the recruitment world is small.

Here’s a guide, dear HR Manager, to what really lies behind the fancy titles of recruiters and what they are responsible for to help you find the right one:

Recruitment Consultant

In a classical sense, a recruitment consultant is responsible for 360-degree recruitment. In short, this recruiter acquires both clients and candidates and brings them together.

Candidate Relationship Manager

This role focuses solely on the candidate side, handling everything related to finding the right candidate for a position acquired by the Client Relationship Manager. However, a lot of vital information may get lost in this handover, as the Candidate Relationship Manager, who has direct contact with the candidate, is not the one presenting them to the company.

Client Relationship Manager

Their main duty is sales, specifically client acquisition. They search for companies interested in working with recruiters to ensure they find the best candidate in the shortest time. Note that Client Relationship Managers focus only on clients, collaborating with Candidate Relationship Managers to find the right candidate.

Headhunter

Often misunderstood and seen negatively, headhunters are not traditional recruiters. They are hired by clients to recruit candidates from competitors or specific companies. Think of them as mission-focused, like FBI agents, using various techniques to target candidates from specific companies.

Consultant Interim/Perm

Recruiters in this category specialize in placing either permanent candidates or contractors/freelancers/interim candidates.

Key Account Manager

They manage several large clients simultaneously, serving as the point of contact for massive recruitment needs. They are not usually recruiters themselves but coordinate with recruiters for hiring.

Executive Search Consultant

Often seen as a more sophisticated recruiter, their focus is on recruiting for C-level and executive positions in niche industries, dealing with high-salary candidates and employing unique recruitment strategies.

Trainee Recruitment Consultant

You might not find this title on LinkedIn or Xing, as recruiters don’t want to signal to HR Managers that they are just starting out. They aim to be seen as experienced and knowledgeable.

These titles are commonly used within the industry and understanding them can help you find the best person for your recruitment needs. I’m excited to reply to any relevant questions about recruiters you might have and how they work. Feel free to reach out.