Education · 1 of 4

The path

Two doors in: a staffing agency that trains you, or a coordinator job on a corporate HR (human resources) team.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Any job with phones and people: retail, call centre, fundraising, sports coaching.

2. 2

   Post-secondary, common

   0 to 4 years

   A 2-year college diploma or 4-year degree in HR (human resources), business or psychology. Agencies do not always require it.

3. 3

   First job

   1 to 2 years

   Agency: sourcing candidates and screening calls for a senior recruiter. Corporate: recruitment coordinator booking interviews and posting jobs.

4. 4

   Recruiter

   By year 2 to 3

   Your own open roles and your own clients or hiring managers. At an agency, your own billing target.

5. 5

   Senior recruiter, talent lead or executive search

   5 or more years

   Specializing in one industry, or moving to headhunting senior executives.