Behind the Scenes of Staffing: Meet Janna, a Junior Technical Recruiter.

Ever wondered what a junior recruiter does or how they got their start in the field? Meet Janna, a junior recruiter who began at Whitridge a few months ago. In this interview, she walks us through her day, the challenges she’s faced, and the rewarding aspects of her role.

Whether you're curious about the profession or considering a career change, Janna’s insights provide a valuable look into the world of recruiting.

Let’s start with an introduction! Can you share a bit about yourself?

My name is Janna. I am originally from New York state but studied in Massachusetts where I focused on human resources management, organizational behavior and sales.?

How long have you been in recruiting, and what inspired you to pursue this career?

I started as an agency recruiter this past May. I became interested in this field after doing a couple of great HR internships, one of which was focused on talent acquisition, which I really enjoyed.

What does a day in the life of a recruiter look like for you?

My day kicks off with a team meeting, where our recruiting and sales team sync up and discuss today’s priorities. Once I know which roles I am working, I start reaching out to past consultants and do outreach (e.g. outbound calls and messages). I usually focus on outreach early morning, around lunch, and towards the end of the day, when people are most available to talk (not actively working). The rest of my day is spent on administrative tasks (resume formatting, consultant submittals, etc.) and longer scheduled calls.

What’s been the most challenging aspect of your role so far?

Initially, I had a hard time understanding and remembering the position requirements and how each account manager proceeds.

Now that I have more experience, I’ve learned that finding the right candidate can sometimes be challenging because hiring managers may not always have a clear vision of what they need until they see it. It’s a part of the process that requires patience and adaptability.

What’s your favorite part about being a recruiter?

I enjoy hearing everyone’s stories, it’s interesting to see how people with the same job title can have such varied experiences. You can talk to 10 different people for the same role and they will all have very different backgrounds. It’s also interesting to see how roles with the same title can vary so much in practice.

What qualities do you think make someone successful in recruiting?

I’d say integrity and resilience are key. You need to stay motivated and keep going, especially when things don’t go as planned. Good communication skills are also crucial for building relationships and navigating challenging conversations.

For those considering a career in recruiting, what’s the best advice you could give?

Find a company where you feel like you fit in and that you enjoy working for. You can recruit anywhere, but you won’t last if you don’t enjoy it. I also recommend you do an internship or a part-time job in sales while in college, because you’ll find out whether you like that type of role and gain the skills needed to be a great recruiter.

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