Becoming a recruitment assistant: role, studies, salary and prospects

Before a candidate meets the manager who will hire them, someone has read their CV, called them, organised their interviews and answered their questions: often, that is the recruitment assistant. This entry-level recruitment job is open at bac+2 or bachelor’s level, often on a work-study contract, and is the first step towards becoming a recruitment officer. This profile is part of our guide to careers in psychology.

What does a recruitment assistant do?

The recruitment assistant handles the preparatory and logistical stages of recruitment: posting job ads, screening applications, first contacts, organising interviews, administrative follow-up. They work alongside a recruitment officer, who conducts the in-depth interviews and supports the decision.

What are the duties of a recruitment assistant?

• Write and publish job ads on job boards, social networks and the careers site.
• Search for profiles in CV databases and on professional networks (sourcing).
• Screen applications against the criteria agreed with the recruitment officer.
• Conduct telephone pre-selection interviews.
• Organise interviews and tests, and keep candidates informed at every stage.
• Keep the applicant tracking system and dashboards up to date.
• Take part in job fairs, school forums and employer branding actions.

Skills and qualities of a recruitment assistant

The job requires good people skills, ease on the phone, organisation, responsiveness and good command of digital tools. You also need to know the rules on non-discrimination and candidates’ data protection, and keep a professional and kind tone, including when announcing a rejection.

What psychology brings

Even in quick pre-selection, you need to listen, ask open questions, spot motivation and avoid judgement biases linked to first impressions. Social and work psychology provide exactly these tools, and prepare you to move on to more in-depth interviews.

Studies and training to become a recruitment assistant

No specific diploma is required to work in this job. In practice, the position is open with a bac+2 or bachelor’s degree in human resources, management or psychology. Work-study is the most common route in: many companies and temping agencies recruit work-study students for this position.

Studying at ESPÉ

ESPÉ’s programmes prepare for this job: the Bachelor in Psychology provides foundations in social and work psychology and experience in companies. The MSc in Psychology and HR Management, a work-study programme with EBS Paris, then lets you hold a recruitment position while studying, and move on to officer or manager roles.

Salary and working conditions of a recruitment assistant

The starting salary depends on the size of the company and the region, sometimes with a variable part in temping agencies or recruitment firms. The pace is intense, with many exchanges by phone, email and video call.

Career prospects for a recruitment assistant

After one to three years, a recruitment assistant usually moves on to recruitment officer, then head of recruitment or HR consultant. They can also specialise in sourcing or employer branding.

Why become a recruitment assistant?

It is a quick, concrete way into human resources, in contact with many candidates and managers. You learn fast, and motivated people often move on to more qualified positions.