Likely Career Paths for Recruitment Consultants
We speak with thousands of recruiters every year, and we’ve noticed clear trends in the career paths they take. Here’s our take on the traditional routes as well as the road less traveled.
Staying The Course In Agency Recruitment
The High Performers’ Path
Recruiters who thrive in sales tend to rank in the top 30-40% of their company’s sales tables. They move swiftly through the ranks, reaching Principal Consultant level, where they earn strong commissions and improve their lifestyle. However, many eventually start asking themselves: Is this it?
Corporate Path – Bigger Brand
Those in larger recruitment firms often step into leadership, either by choice or nudging from management. This path works best in organisations with scale, allowing leaders to oversee multiple business lines.
Pros:
- Opportunities to lead large teams and multiple disciplines
- Support for marketing, training, and inbound leads
- Long-term career stability for those willing to play the game
Cons:
- Earnings are usually capped
- Less autonomy, as corporate structures limit decision-making
Entrepreneur Path – Scale to Sell
Some consultants realize they could earn far more by building their own firm.
Pros:
- High potential for financial freedom
- Valuable business and leadership experience
Cons:
- High risk; scaling a business is challenging
- Potential financial losses and business partner conflicts
- Long hours and significant stress
Entrepreneur – Lifestyle Business
Some recruiters start their own business but choose to keep it small, hiring a few people and sustaining it for the rest of their career.
Pros:
- Full autonomy and flexibility, ideal for family commitments
- Potential for highly profitable years
Cons:
- Can be isolating and limiting career-wise
- The “Is this it?” question may resurface, especially for those who enjoy being part of a larger team
Moving Beyond Agency Recruitment
Talent Acquisition – RPO/Contract Roles
A stepping stone for those looking to gain in-house experience.
Pros:
- Exposure to corporate recruitment strategies
- Flexibility, especially for contract roles
Cons:
- Roles can be short-term and reactive
- Often seen as lower-value compared to permanent TA roles
Talent Acquisition – Corporate
A common path for recruiters, particularly those with local language skills.
Pros:
- Stable corporate career path with structured progression
- No sales targets or business development
Cons:
- Earnings are often capped
- KPI-driven environments can be a tough adjustment
- Long hours, with a heavy focus on hiring metrics
From TA, recruiters often progress to Local, Regional, or Global Head of TA. Others pivot into HR-related fields like Talent Development, Compensation & Benefits, or Operations.
Alternative Career Paths
Sales in a Different Industry
Many recruiters leverage their skills to transition into sales roles outside recruitment. Common destinations include:
- Business Development Manager in consulting firms
- Key Account Manager in tech or specialized industries
- Customer Experience Manager roles
Coaching, Wellness & HR Advisory
Recruiters often develop strong people skills that translate well into career coaching, wellness consulting, or HR advisory.
Pros:
- Ability to leverage recruitment experience to guide others
- High autonomy and potential for business ownership
Cons:
- Requires strong business development skills to maintain consistent work
- Niche expertise and certifications are often necessary
Therapist, Counselor, or Psychotherapist
Some recruiters pursue further education in psychology or therapy, transitioning into mental health support roles. Several universities now offer bridging programs to facilitate this career change.
School/University Career Counselor
Recruiters with a passion for career guidance sometimes move into educational settings, helping students and young professionals navigate their career choices.
Business Entrepreneur or Franchise Owner
Many recruiters have strong commercial instincts and go on to build businesses in completely different industries, using their sales acumen to succeed.
Final Thought
The beauty of a career in recruitment is its flexibility. Whether you stay in agency recruitment, pivot into corporate roles, or transition into a completely new field, the skills you develop—sales, relationship management, negotiation, and resilience – will serve you well. The key is to recognize when it’s time to move forward and choose a path that aligns with your personal and professional goals.
Which path speaks to you?
We’d love to hear from you! Have you transitioned from recruitment into a new career? Are you considering a move? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments!
