What Does a Recruitment Consultant Do?

Posted May 13, 2025

If you’ve ever asked yourself what does a recruitment consultant do?, you’re not alone. Whether you’re job hunting or trying to hire, recruitment consultants play a key role in connecting people with the right opportunities. But their role goes far beyond just scanning CVs and setting up interviews.

In this article, we’ll break down what a recruitment consultant does, how they support both employers and job seekers, and why their expertise is so valuable in today’s hiring market.

What Does a Recruitment Consultant Do Day to Day?

So, what does a recruitment consultant do on a daily basis? Here are the core tasks that make up their role:

1. Understanding Hiring Needs

The first step a recruitment consultant takes is learning about the client’s needs. They ask questions like: What does the role require? What kind of person will fit the team? What are the long-term business goals? This understanding is essential for finding the right match.

2. Finding the Right Candidates

Next up in answering what does a recruitment consultant do is the search process. Consultants source candidates through job ads, CV databases, professional networks, and direct outreach. Often, they tap into talent that isn’t actively applying for jobs — known as the hidden job market.

3. Screening and Shortlisting

After identifying potential candidates, they carry out initial screening calls, review CVs, and assess who’s the best fit. If you’re still wondering what does a recruitment consultant do behind the scenes, it’s this careful filtering that saves employers huge amounts of time.

4. Coordinating Interviews and Feedback

Recruitment consultants then manage the logistics — arranging interviews, preparing candidates, collecting feedback, and keeping both sides informed throughout the process.

5. Negotiating Job Offers

A big part of the answer to what does a recruitment consultant do comes down to negotiation. They act as the go-between for salary discussions, contract terms, and start dates, helping both the employer and candidate reach a fair agreement.

What Does a Recruitment Consultant Do for Employers?

For employers, recruitment consultants offer expertise, efficiency, and reach. They bring:

Access to wider and better-qualified talent pools
Deep understanding of hiring trends and salary benchmarks
Time savings through candidate screening and admin support
Guidance on writing compelling job descriptions
Support with urgent, niche, or volume hiring

If you’re a business owner or hiring manager wondering what does a recruitment consultant do to improve your hiring process, the answer is simple: they make it faster, smarter, and more effective.

What Does a Recruitment Consultant Do for Job Seekers?

Recruitment consultants don’t just work for employers — they also support candidates throughout their job search.

Here’s what a recruitment consultant does for job seekers:

Matches you with relevant job opportunities
Improves your CV and interview technique
Gives you access to unadvertised roles
Offers tailored career advice
Keeps you in the loop from application to offer

So if you’re looking for a new role and wondering what does a recruitment consultant do for someone like me? — the answer is: quite a lot.

Final Thoughts: What Does a Recruitment Consultant Do?

To sum it up: what does a recruitment consultant do? They connect great people with great jobs. They save businesses time, help job seekers find the right roles, and keep the whole process running smoothly. Whether you’re hiring or applying, a good recruitment consultant can make all the difference.

Looking for Help With Hiring?

At The People Factor, our recruitment consultants don’t just fill vacancies — they help build great teams. If you’re ready to find the right people faster, get in touch with us today.