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College Recruiter Duties and Responsibilities

While a college recruiter's day-to-day duties and responsibilities are determined by the school they work for, there are many core tasks associated with the role. Based on our analysis of job listings, these include:

Develop Recruitment Plans A college recruiter develops fresh recruitment plans to attract students who the best fit for their school. They call many different high schools, analyze test scores, review grade point averages, and assess athletic abilities to determine which students are most suitable. They work with other student admissions and administration staff and to establish procedures that continuously fill the prospective student pipeline.

Build Relationships with Prospective Students Most college recruiters meet with students to provide personalized admissions help. They communicate with students and parents to ensure high enrollment rates. Recruiters follow up with students by email, phone call, and text message to make certain that no important application steps or deadlines are missed. They also serve as a point of contact for schools and special interest groups that want to schedule recruitment visits or campus tours.

Give Admissions Presentations One of the most important responsibilities of college recruiters is giving public presentations to prospective students about the school they represent. During these presentations, they answer burning questions and present a favorable perception of their college. Many recruiters spend the majority of their day visiting high schools to provide information concerning educational opportunities, scholarships, and more. They also facilitate campus tours for student groups and community members.

Attend College Fairs and Networking Events Much of a college recruiter's work demands attending college fairs and other important networking events. Great recruiters are always scouting off-campus student recruitment opportunities. Some even serve as leaders within various community groups to enhance the attractiveness and reputation of their institution. The network of contacts gained from these activities helps achieve recruitment objectives.

Produce College Marketing Materials College recruiters are also tasked with creating brochures, press releases, flyers, and other marketing materials. Their print communications are sent to students to generate interest in the college and its programs. Recruiters also update recruitment PowerPoint slides and public speaking collateral to engage students and reflect their school's exciting new opportunities.

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College Recruiter Skills and Qualifications

College recruiters should be positive, outgoing people with excellent writing and speaking skills. Employers typically seek candidates with a bachelor's degree, two years of relevant experience, and the following skills:
  • Interpersonal skills - excellent people skills are the most important trait for a recruiter to have since they are responsible for facilitating relationships and building rapport
  • Public speaking - college recruiters give numerous presentations as part of their job and need to be confident, engaging, and convincing in front of an audience
  • Research skills - diving deep into school statistics, student records, and other relevant data is an essential skill for recruiters
  • Teamwork - many recruiters work as part of a college recruitment team to provide new strategies and ideas for increasing overall student enrollment
  • Customer service - college recruiters are customer service providers who interact with students, parents, and community members
  • Physical fitness - bending, lifting, and pulling are all necessary for transporting recruitment materials to college fairs and other events
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College Recruiter Salary and Outlook

According to PayScale, the median annual salary for college recruiters is $43,049. The lowest 10 percent of earners make less than $31,000. The highest 10 percent of college recruiters earn more than $65,000. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment in this field will grow 10 percent through 2026, which is faster than average for all occupations. Growth is anticipated due to increasing student enrollment rates. More people continue to seek postsecondary education in order to achieve their career goals. College recruiters will be there to meet the needs of these students.
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Helpful Resources

We searched the web for the best industry resources to help you continue exploring a career as a college recruiter. Here are more ways to learn whether becoming one is right for you:

National Association of Colleges and Employers - NACE helps you keep up with the latest industry news and find helpful advice on becoming a more successful college recruiter

National Association for College Admission Counseling - NACAC is a professional organization for college admissions representatives. Whether you're looking for a new college recruiter job or ready to take the next step in your career, its website is worth a look

International Association for College Admission Counseling - join people around the globe who share the mission of helping students gain admission to schools, learn about industry events, and find networking opportunities at the IACAC website

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion - if you're interested in applying psychology to college recruiting, this classic book is for you

How to Recruit and Retain Higher Education Students: A Handbook of Good Practice - build your skills as a college recruiter and learn the strategies that have been proven to attract students with this book

College Recruiter - this website for college recruiters features helpful articles and videos, conferences, and events

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