Startup Recruiter Job Description Template

[Company Name] is poised for expansion and needs a Startup Recruiter to attract and recruit the best candidates that align with the company’s vision and goals.

You will be familiar with our industry, ideally with a strong, active network, and will be able to communicate our vision to the right candidates to ensure we build an ideal team.

You will join a dynamic, entrepreneurial team of people who share the same passion and drive for success. Working independently, you will be instrumental in making sure new recruits are the right people for our future growth.

Daily Tasks and Responsibilities Will Include

• Developing a recruitment plan in line with our business growth plans
• Identifying, proactively contacting, and recruiting candidates from within the industry
• Advertising for industry-external or unidentified candidates
• Running interviews, assessments, and selection procedures
• Onboarding new hires
• Reviewing and updating the recruitment plan

As a Startup Recruiter, You Should Possess the Following Qualifications and Skills

• Proven and verifiable success in recruitment
• At least five years of industry experience
• A strong, active network within the industry and externally
• Expert recruiting skills
• Experience in all common recruitment software packages, including ATS, CMS, and HRIS
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience in ground-up team building
• Enthusiasm for vision-, mission- and value-driven organizations
• Strategic thinking ability

A Startup Recruiter recruits new talent to a startup business, sharing the vision and goals of the founders, and finding like-minded hires to expand the organization beyond its initial headcount. Startup Recruiters differ from traditional recruiters in that they place much more emphasis on candidates being the right “fit” for the organization and consider personality and attitude as important as technical skills.

Startup Recruiters will also often be more proactive than traditional recruiters. They will target candidates and build contact with them through focused events and activities designed to entice the right people. The Startup Recruiter’s role often involves an element of “selling the organization.”

The Startup Recruiter’s role is crucial in helping startup organizations transition beyond the initial team as set up by the founders. Successful Startup Recruiters can significantly influence a startup organization’s ability to grow and become sustainable.

Similar Job Titles:

Recruiter, Senior Recruiter, Junior Recruiter, Internal Recruiter, Healthcare Recruiter, Lead Recruiter, Executive Recruiter, Entry Level Recruiter, Corporate Recruiter, Technical Recruiter, Sales Recruiter

What Does a Startup Recruiter Typically Do?

A Startup Recruiter identifies and recruits individuals and teams for startup businesses. The role is proactive and comprises the following tasks:

• Understanding, internalizing, and articulating the organization’s vision, mission, and values
• Monitoring the organization’s industry to identify potential candidates
• Performing job, skills, and personality audits internally to understand the needs
• Formulating a recruitment plan for the organization
• Promoting the organization as an employer of choice
• Contacting identified candidates
• Creating and placing job postings and other media to attract candidates
• Running interview, assessment, and selection processes
• Ensuring job descriptions, policies, and procedures are in place
• Onboarding new hires
• Monitoring and reporting on success

Articulating the Organization’s Vision, Mission, and Values

A Startup Recruiter must be able to share the vision, mission, and values as originally intended by the founders to ensure new hires fit in with and enhance the existing team. 

Monitoring the Organization’s Industry To Identify Potential Candidates

The Startup Recruiter should develop a deep knowledge of the people in the industry to identify potential candidates. Ideally, the Startup Recruiter should have a strong network of industry contacts.

Performing Job, Skills, and Personality Audits Internally To Understand the Needs

The Startup Recruiter should, in collaboration with the founders, audit the organization to understand the pillars it was built on and what is currently making it successful. 

Formulating a Recruitment Plan for the Organization

The recruitment plan should be aligned with the mid- to long-term business goals to ensure the organization is ready for sustained growth.

Promoting The Organization as an Employer of Choice

The Startup Recruiter must act as an ambassador for the organization to maximize the chances of enticing the best candidates to join the team.

Contacting Identified Candidates Proactively 

Proactively contacting identified candidates requires discretion, care, and a modicum of sales skills. The Startup Recruiter must “sell the organization” as an opportunity while not compromising any potential candidates or the organization’s vision.

Creating and Placing Job Postings and Other Media To Attract Candidates

Traditional job postings also play a role in attracting applications from candidates who may not have been approached proactively. This is the “pull” recruitment method.

Running Interview, Assessment, and Selection Processes

The Startup Recruiter must be able to assess a candidate’s personality and attitude. The Startup Recruiter must look for personalities that will fit into the entrepreneurial spirit of the organization with enthusiasm, drive, and passion.

Ensuring Job Descriptions, Policies, and Procedures Are in Place

The Startup Recruiter must pay particular attention to the administrative side of new hires, as startup organizations often neglect this.

Onboarding New Hires

New hires must be quickly and seamlessly integrated into the organization to minimize disruption and ensure they become effective as quickly as possible.

Monitoring and Reporting on Success

Successful Startup Recruiters know the exact reasons for their success, and they can replicate the process on the basis of data as and when required.

Roles a Startup Recruiter Typically Collaborates With

A Startup Recruiter works closely with the following:

Startup Recruiter Salary

A Startup Recruiter will typically earn between $44,000 and $70,000 per annum in the U.S. The median is around $57,334.

What Is the Startup Recruiter Pay Difference by Location?

Average salaries for a Startup Recruiter differ by location as follows:

What Is the Startup Recruiter Pay Difference by Experience Level?

Depending on experience, a Startup Recruiter’s pay will vary as follows: