Education · 1 of 5

The path

No exam and no required degree. What you need is a first job that lets you practice.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Speaking, writing and spreadsheets. A part-time job where you talk to strangers all day prepares you better than any class.

2. 2

   Bachelor's degree, optional but common

   4 years

   Most corporate postings ask for one. Human resource management, psychology, business and communications are the usual majors, and employers rarely insist on a subject.

3. 3

   First job: coordinator or sourcer

   1 to 2 years

   You schedule interviews, search databases and send the first messages. Nearly everyone starts here, degree or not.

4. 4

   Full recruiter

   2 to 4 years in

   You own the whole process: the intake meeting with the hiring manager, screening, interviews, the offer and the close.

5. 5

   Specialize or lead

   5 years and on

   Move into technical, healthcare or executive search, or run a team as a talent acquisition lead.