How to Become a Successful Recruiter

Jessica Walker • February 4, 2019

Recruiters are viewed as salespeople, as you're selling your candidate to your client or selling your client to your candidate. But recruiters are much more than that – really getting to know the business you are recruiting for, building great relationships with candidates and clients and therefore gaining their trust is what makes good recruiters.

The recruitment market is such a competitive market and it can sometimes be hard to separate yourself from other recruiters and unfortunately, a small percentage of recruiters have given others a bad name.

There are some simple steps to becoming a successful recruiter:

Build relationships

Building relationships with candidates is very important. Even candidates you are rejecting, maintaining contact and not avoiding giving negative feedback is a good way of creating relationships as candidates will appreciate that you have gotten back to them even if it’s not the news they were wanting. Highlighting candidates’ strengths and even staying in touch for future openings.

Being Proactive

Always having something in the pipeline and having actively available candidates instead of waiting for openings to come to you. Having a strong network and seeing departments grow collaborating with hiring managers to find out their needs.

Self-Improve

Making mistakes is just a way of learning, not letting this affect you and being resilient and carry on. If they didn’t get the results they were hoping for, learn from it and try to figure out how to avoid this result next time. Recruiters need to stay up to date with the always changing business they are in.

Find the job you love I Find the right talent
Get in touch with people2people

Australia
   I    United Kingdom

In business since 2002 in Australia, NZ, and the United Kingdom, people2people is an award-winning recruitment agency with people at our heart. With over 12 offices, we specialise in accounting and finance, business support, education, executive, government, HR, legal, marketing and digital, property, sales, supply chain, and technology sectors. As the proud recipients of the 2024 Outstanding Large Agency and Excellence in Candidate Care Awards, we are dedicated to helping businesses achieve success through a people-first approach.

Recent articles

By Leanne Lazarus November 2, 2025
Discover how leadership development is evolving in 2025. Learn what organisations can do to build interdependent, future-ready leaders who drive performance, collaboration, and culture.
By people2people UK October 26, 2025
Rising sick leave is costing UK employers thousands per employee each year. Discover how proactive absence management and early intervention can reduce costs, support wellbeing, and boost workplace resilience.
By people2people UK October 19, 2025
New survey data reveals that nearly half of UK job seekers are seeing fewer opportunities in their field, with confidence declining and long searches becoming the norm. Explore what’s driving the change—and how workers are adapting through upskilling and resilience.
By people2people UK October 12, 2025
Discover practical strategies UK employers can use to support working mums, from flexible work options to childcare support. Create inclusive, family-friendly workplaces that attract and retain top talent.
By people2people UK October 5, 2025
Discover why 42% of UK employees feel undervalued at work, how it affects motivation and retention, and what employers can do to improve engagement and workplace wellbeing.

Latest Media Features


Get in touch

Find out more by contacting one of our specialisat recruitment consultants across Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Contact us