Amid economic fluctuations, recruiters might face employment uncertainties. This presents an ideal opportunity to transition into a freelance recruitment specialist or talent sourcer role. Numerous resources and platforms are available to facilitate split and other freelancing engagements. In the following sections, we will outline strategies for achieving success as a freelance professional in the recruitment industry.

Recruiters may face a prolonged layoff, and in such a situation, freelancing can be a viable option. Numerous freelancing recruiting websites such as Paraform, RecruitiFi, and Reflik can help find sourcing opportunities online. In this article, I will outline how to initiate a freelance recruiting career.

How to get started:

Determine your niche: Consider which industry or job positions you specialize in, so you can better market yourself as a freelancer.

Create a professional brand: Establish a professional online presence and brand for yourself that highlights your skills, expertise, and experience as a recruiter. This can include creating a personal website, LinkedIn profile, and/or social media accounts.

Network: Attend industry events, join relevant online communities, and engage with other recruiters to build your network and establish relationships with potential clients.

Identify potential clients: Use online job boards and company websites to find businesses looking for recruiters, or reach out directly to companies in your target industries to offer your services. Set your rates:

Determine your hourly rate or project fees: based on your experience and the scope of the work. The average rate for a placement recruiting fee varies depending on the industry, job position, and the level of experience required. Typically, the fee is a percentage of the candidate’s first-year salary, ranging from 15% to 25%. For example, if a candidate is hired with an annual salary of $100,000, the fee would be $15,000 to $25,000.

It’s important to note that there may also be other factors that impact the fee, such as the level of difficulty in finding qualified candidates or the length of the search process. Some recruiters may also charge a flat fee or a combination of flat and percentage fees.

Develop a proposal: When pitching to clients, create a customized proposal that outlines the scope of work, timeline, and pricing.

Deliver quality work: Once you’ve landed a project, deliver high-quality work and ensure that your clients are satisfied with your services.

Build your reputation: Focus on building a strong reputation as a reliable and effective recruiter. Ask clients for referrals and testimonials to use in your marketing efforts.

4. Research and understand the legal compliance part of running your own business as a solopreneur. Same goes for taxation, bookkeeping, and business finances.