what is a talent acquisition specialist?
As a talent acquisition specialist (TAS), you manage the entire recruitment cycle. You work closely with hiring managers and recruiters to find ideal candidates. You use evaluation methods and your knowledge of human resources (HR) to hire suitable candidates for the company's culture.
You help the hiring manager with recruitment by writing effective job descriptions and formulating interview questions. As a talent acquisition specialist, you also ensure the recruitment process complies with relevant laws in your area. Other duties involve screening candidates to find the most suitable applicants. After successful interviews, you onboard new employees and continually attend job fairs to improve the company's brand as an employer.
It is important to understand an employee’s position in the client’s company and the long-term goals of the organization. The client depends on you to shortlist candidates and suggest the best fit to help them grow the company. Therefore, you help them find reliable employees who can transform their business.
Would working as a talent acquisition specialist suit your results-driven nature and negotiation skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in the role of a talent acquisition specialist.
view our jobsaverage talent acquisition specialist salary
According to Job Bank, the average salary of a talent acquisition specialist in Canada is $88,328 per year. Entry-level positions offer lower salaries since they require minimal experience and qualifications. For instance, an entry-level talent acquisition specialist takes home an annual salary of $68,313. With extensive experience in talent acquisition, you can earn over $90,796 yearly.
how to increase your salary as a talent acquisition specialist
Aside from improving your skills and gaining experience, consider obtaining certifications in human resources to improve your qualifications. Having a licence or certification to recruit foreign workers also improves your earning prospects, especially if you work for a multinational company.
The size of the organization and the industry you work in may also influence your earnings. For instance, working for information technology (IT) companies often pays more than recruiting workers for organizations in other industries. In IT companies, finding talent to keep up with the dynamic IT industry is challenging, and employers are willing to pay more to get the best talent in the market.
Working in large companies also improves your earning potential since they have a large number of resources and complex hiring needs. The type of employees you hire for the company may also influence your earnings. For instance, if you are in charge of finding executives for senior managerial positions, you are likely to earn more than talent acquisition specialists who hire entry-level workers.
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access our tooltypes of talent acquisition specialists
Talent acquisition specialists can work as managers or consultants:
- Talent acquisition managers: your job is to manage the talent acquisition department and assess the current employment needs of the company. As a talent acquisition manager, you develop procedures and plans to improve candidate experience in the company. You also promote your employer's branding to ensure the company attracts high-quality candidates.
- Talent acquisition consultants: as a talent acquisition consultant, you evaluate a company's hiring needs and advise the management team. You forecast the organization's hiring needs and help the company source potential employees through various channels.
working as a talent acquisition specialist
Working as a talent acquisition professional is a rewarding career that allows you to improve the recruitment and hiring process. Let's explore the responsibilities, work schedules and job outlook of talent acquisition specialists.
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what does a talent acquisition specialist do?
Some of the typical tasks of a talent acquisition specialist include:
- Preparing job descriptions: as a talent acquisition specialist, you are responsible for writing job descriptions to post on job boards and advertising sites. You ensure that the job descriptions comply with the relevant laws and provide detailed information about the vacant positions.
- Candidate sourcing and screening: your job is to find potential candidates to fill vacant positions in the company. When sourcing candidates, you rely on headhunters, current employees and your connections in the industry to obtain referrals. You screen applicants to ensure they meet the company's requirements. You may use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen candidates.
- Recommending candidates: as a talent acquisition specialist, you select ideal candidates for various positions and recommend them to the relevant departments. The hiring manager uses your recommendations to determine which candidates are called for interviews.
- Organizing interviews: sometimes, you perform the administrative tasks involved with organizing interviews. You arrange interview schedules and guide candidates through the hiring process. It is important to ensure discrimination laws are adhered to and assist with evaluating the candidates.
- Presenting formal job offers: you assist the hiring manager with preparing formal job offers. You ensure they are properly written and include the correct salary and benefits information.
- Onboarding: you prepare the paperwork for new employees and help them transition into their roles. While you don't provide onboarding training, you attend the sessions and ensure the employees are comfortable. Your job is to communicate the company's expectations and ensure that the employees are prepared for their roles.
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work environment of a talent acquisition specialist
Most of your tasks as a talent acquisition specialist are completed in an office. You also work in diverse environments depending on your industry. For instance, in manufacturing or production companies, you visit the facility to introduce new employees in the workplace. The role also involves attending job fairs, workshops and conferences, which requires you to travel to various locations.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on the industry you work in, you are likely to interact with HR managers, recruiters and HR administrators. You also work with operations managers, production managers and business analysts F&A to determine the talent needs of the company. Other professionals you may work with include accountants, branch managers and payroll administrators.
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talent acquisition specialist work schedule
The typical work schedule of a talent acquisition specialist is 40 hours a week. You work traditional business hours during the workweek, usually from 9 am to 5 pm. As a talent acquisition specialist, you can work full-time or part-time. The role sometimes involves working evenings or weekends, especially when attending job fairs and other head-hunting events to promote your employer's brand.
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career opportunities as a talent acquisition specialist
As a talent acquisition specialist, you have diverse career progression opportunities and can specialize in different roles. Some talent acquisition professionals focus on becoming consultants and working for different companies. Others take a different career path and become recruiters or hiring managers. If you stay in the same company, you progress to a talent acquisition manager role before becoming the head talent manager.
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advantages of finding a job as a talent acquisition specialist through randstad
Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits.
- Always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- Many training opportunities
- A range of jobs in your area
talent acquisition specialist skills and education
Some of the educational requirements of talent acquisition specialists include:
- Education: while it is not mandatory to pursue a bachelor’s degree, earning a degree in business, human resources or social sciences will improve your job prospects. Alternatively, pursue a college diploma in an HR-related field, such as industry relations, business administration or commerce. Completing a professional development program may be necessary if you hold qualifications unrelated to business or HR.
- Experience and certifications: while certifications are not mandatory, having a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) certificate improves your employment prospects. You also require extensive HR or recruitment experience to excel in the role. From 2024, you will need a licence to recruit employees in some provinces, such as Ontario. If your duties involve recruiting foreign workers, you need specialized certification from the relevant authority. For instance, in Manitoba, you need Employment Standards certification under the Worker Recruitment and Protection Act.
competencies and characteristics of talent acquisition specialists
Aside from technical knowledge in the role, the following skills and competencies help you succeed as a talent acquisition specialist:
- Communication skills: your role is people-centred and requires practical communication skills. Exceptional communication skills are essential for creating compelling job posts, engaging with target candidates and hiring professionals through multiple channels.
- Active listening skills: you conduct interviews and engage with potential candidates via various channels. Active listening skills help you understand candidate responses in interviews.
- Relationship-building skills: you rely on your relationship-building skills to attract exceptional talent to the company. The candidate's experience is important in talent acquisition and building your employer's brand. You also require relationship-building skills when attending networking events.
- Empathy and social skills: as a talent acquisition professional, it is important to hone your empathy and social skills to excel in the role. Emotional intelligence helps you understand candidates' challenges, emotions and motivations. Showing empathy improves the candidate's experience.
- Technology skills: as a talent acquisition specialist, being technically capable helps you operate various human resources software used in recruitment. Aim to be conversant with applicant tracking systems and keep up with the technological advancements required for your role.
FAQs
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a talent acquisition specialist.
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what is the role of a talent acquisition specialist?
As a talent acquisition specialist, you are responsible for sourcing and attracting new talent to the company. Aside from creating job adverts and selecting the ideal candidates for roles, you also ensure the current employees are happy in their positions to reduce turnover rates. As a talent acquisition specialist, you recommend recruitment initiatives and events for the company to host and source new talent.
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what is the salary of talent acquisition specialists in Canada?
The average salary of talent acquisition specialists in Canada is $88,328 per year. Your take-home wages depend on various factors, including company size and experience. In an entry-level position, you start with a salary of $68,313 yearly. With experience and educational qualifications, you earn over $90,796 annually.
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are talent acquisition specialists in demand in Canada?
Talent acquisition specialists help companies find the best employees for their needs. With the crucial responsibilities they perform, they are always in demand, especially by large companies with huge recruitment needs.
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do you need a license to work as a talent acquisition specialist in Canada?
Licensing requirements for talent acquisition specialists depend on the province and territory. For instance, from January 2024, talent acquisition specialists in Ontario will require a license to act as a recruiter. Recruiting temporary foreign workers is also regulated in some Canadian provinces.
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what is the difference between a recruiter and a talent acquisition specialist?
A recruiter is focused on identifying and hiring candidates to meet the company's needs. As a talent acquisition specialist, you identify industry leaders and future executives. Your priority is the long-term HR needs of the company, and you find employees that will grow the company long-term.
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how do I find a job as a talent acquisition specialist?
Finding a job near you as a talent acquisition specialist is easy. Search our job offers. Have you found what you're looking for? Then submit your application using the ‘Apply’ button top right on the page. No jobs available right now? Send us your resume and we'll pass it on to a recruiter who will contact you if an opportunity opens up for you.
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