How Did You Come to Work in the Recruitment Industry?

I came across this survey today and thought it of interest.  If you work in the recruitment industry, it’s likely you “fell” into recruitment by chance, according to a popular poll on LinkedIn that was started by Claire Barrow.  Two out of three respondents fell into recruitment and only 13% choose it as a career (see below).

Does this figure surprise you?  Well it's not that surprising to me because I speak to Recruiters every day and this is of about our profession.   Most recruiters did not start on their career journey saying "I want to be a recruitment consultant". It's great job, of that there is no doubt, and I think that it will, in time, become as well known as more traditional careers.

Most recruiters start their recruitment job, like it, and keep doing it for years.

Well speaking for myself I didn’t plan a career in recruitment, but I have been working in recruitment since 1995 and loved every minute of it.  My current job involves sourcing and qualifying people to come and work for Project Resource.  We have grown to 4 offices and we are always looking for bright and ambitious people to join us as we continue on our journey to grow and be the very best we can be.

Bill Wynn, a Project Resource Director stated: "I finished university, my first job was working as a teacher in Further Education.  I realised after 1 year of doing that job that it was not for me long-term, so I approached a recruitment agency to find me a job that would suit my skills, personality and ambition.  I was advised to interview for marketing jobs or recruitment jobs.  I had a few interviews for both job types, was offered each job I interviewed for, but chose to work in recruitment, and what a great choice it was.

We say “the first job you take, the second job/career you choose”. I never regretted my decision to work in recruitment.  How about you?  Did you fall into recruitment or was it planned?