You've decided you want to be a Recruiter and now you must begin. Where do you start? In this article 'Recruiter' is defined as a contingency fee or full cycle Recruiter. Also known as Head Hunters, contingency fee Recruiters are paid when their candidate is hired by one of their employer clients.

Here are 5 tips to help you become a successful Recruiter quickly.

1. Learn the Process. There are about 30 steps in the recruiting process. From identifying your candidate to getting the check, the process must be learned, followed and trusted. A good Recruiter knows where he/she is in the process at all times. Don't skip steps. Skipping a step or taking a step for granted can kill a deal.

2. The way a Recruiter manages the process to maximize placements is by mastering a few Recruiting skills. Employers and candidates alike want to trust their Recruiter. Those who establish trust get honest answers and cooperation throughout the process. When there are bumps in the road you'll use your Recruiter skills to guide all parties to the best outcome. Employers and candidates EXPECT their Recruiter to take the lead and make a deal happen. But they also want to feel they are in control at the same time!

The best outcome for an emloyer is hiring a candidate who has the skills a position requires and is a good personality fit for their organization. The best outcome for a candidate is accepting an offer from a company that provides what he wants and needs at the moment in his career. The outcome also makes the candidate feel like they are taking a step forward.

3. One of the top two recruiter skills is the art of asking questions. When a Recruiter knows how to ask questions well, they are able to manage both employers and candidates effortlessly. Here's a secret, Recruiters should be listening 80% of the time! When they are listening they're gathering information and information is power.

Information is what's needed when one side or the other has reservations about committing to a deal. Carefull use of information helps to close deals. Deals that should be closed and deals it's the Recruiter's responsibility to close. A large part of a Recruiter's job is asking questions.

4. Mastering the art of Listening (skill #2) makes Recruiters money. Lots of money. When you listen well, people naturally feel heard. A by-product of feeling heard is people like you. And then they trust you. When it comes time for the other side to listen, they will. When you listen for thought process completion, the other party feels valued. There are many positive results and fuzzy warm feelings that can be traced back to listening. Having good listening skills is required to consistently make placements as a Recruiter.

There are times in many a placement process when it apprears the two sides may be approaching a wall and there is no way around that wall. Don't believe it! By listening thoughout the process you'll have the tools needed to keep inching both parties closer to what they both really want. Recruiters' have the responsibility of keeping the lines of communications open and clear. Your questioning and listening skills will eliminate frustrations and create happy clients and happy candidates. Your closing ratio will skyrocket!

5. Be a professional at all times. Speak slowly and clearly. Use proper English, not slang. Don't cuss. Be respectful. Be a good loser if things don't go your way. Know the Full Cycle Recruiting process. Stick to that process. Keep investing in your education and skill enhancement. Recruiting is not hard once you know what to do and how to do it well. The more you learn the less effort it takes to make a placement and the more money you'll make.

There are people in the industry who want to make the Recruiting process seem harder and more mysterious than it is. A desire to help others, common sense, the ability to follow step by step instructions, honesty, integrity, a basic understanding of business, and self confidence are what's needed to make a successful and happy Recruiter.