Human Resources (HR) recruiters work in small businesses, corporations, hospitals and retail establishments. They primarily locate, select, interview and hire qualified applicants for jobs. HR recruiters often help hiring managers determine the average starting salaries for employees in various positions. They may study industry data for salary; or find average salaries that competitors pay. HR recruiters also help new hires complete their tax withholding and other documents when they are hired. These professionals usually earn annual salaries.

HR recruiters earned annual median salaries of $45,470 in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The middle 50 percent of HR recruiters earned median salaries ranging between $35,020 and $63,110 per year. The top 10 percent earned in excess of $85,760 per year and the lowest 10 percent earned under $28,030 per year.

An important component of any company’s overall success is its ability to keep its employees happy while performing their daily work duties. A human resources (HR) department is responsible for ensuring that company employees perform their job functions without conflicts with co-workers or bosses. An HR recruiter’s duties involve hiring the best workers for the company by networking with employment agencies and other personnel contacts.

HR recruiters who work for large corporations that rival Microsoft and IBM in size must construct a large national recruiting plan to hire specific employees. Since larger companies are sometimes situated in rural areas of the U.S. that do not have access to highly specialized workers who tend to live in bigger cities, an HR recruiter mounts recruiting campaigns that involve using the Internet to place job ads as well as national newspapers such as “USA Today.” An HR recruiter also makes calls to national employment agencies and places job requirement descriptions, using the employment agency for help in filling specific jobs.

Career recruiters are human resources workers who seek out qualified candidates to fill job openings. Some are employed by a specific company to recruit for in-house positions, while others work for employment agencies to find candidates for a wide range of clients across many industries. A career in recruiting requires strong interpersonal skills and an outgoing personality. Many recruiters find their work rewarding because they are able to help others find jobs that they enjoy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 207,900 recruiters and placement specialists employed in the United States in 2008.

Recruiters maintain a database of prospective employees’ resumes and search through them to find candidates that are qualified for particular job openings. Before sending candidates to the employer for an interview, career recruiters will often screen them to make sure that they are a good fit for the company. Recruiters will sometimes do background and reference checks as well, and test candidates to ensure that they have the necessary skills for a specific job. Recruiters also often attend employment or career fairs to meet with potential candidates. A large part of a recruiter’s job is networking with colleges, universities and vocational schools to promote their agency’s services. They must also stay in touch with human resources managers so they can anticipate the needs of their clients.