Resources/Job description templates/Recruiter
Recruiter Job Description Template (Free, 2027)
A free recruiter job description template with duties, requirements and a pay range from government data. Copy it, download it as a Word file or print it, for agency or in house recruiter roles.
- $75,940median pay
- 6sections
- Freedownload
Free template
- Copy it, download it as a Word file or print it
- Pay range from government data
- Written by recruiters
Quick answer: A recruiter job description should say what kinds of roles the person will fill, how many open requisitions they will carry, whether it is agency or in house, which tools they will use, and the pay range including any commission. The template below covers all of that, and you can copy it, download it as a Word file or print it.
Written by recruiters for recruiter hires. Replace the brackets, delete the lines that do not apply, and keep it short enough to read on a phone. The best recruiter candidates are being contacted by other recruiters every week, so the job ad has to answer their questions fast.
Recruiter job description
About the role
[Company] is hiring a [full cycle / agency / corporate] recruiter to find and hire [type of roles, for example engineers, nurses, sales reps] for [our teams / our clients]. You will own searches from the intake call to the signed offer and work closely with hiring managers to fill [number] open roles at a time.
Location: [on site, hybrid or remote, and where]. Reports to: [title].
What you will do
- Run intake meetings with hiring managers to define the role, must haves and interview plan
- Source candidates on LinkedIn, job boards, our ATS and referrals, and write outreach that gets replies
- Screen candidates by phone or video and present a short list with clear notes
- Schedule interviews, gather feedback and keep candidates updated at every stage
- Extend and negotiate offers and close candidates
- Keep the ATS accurate and report on pipeline, time to fill and source of hire
- [Agency only] Build relationships with clients and win new job orders
What you bring
- [1 to 3] years of recruiting experience, or [agency / sales / customer facing] experience and a strong interest in recruiting
- Comfort with Boolean search and at least one ATS
- Clear writing and a phone manner that builds trust quickly
- Organization: you can carry [number] open roles without dropping follow ups
- Good judgment with confidential candidate and salary information
Nice to have
- Experience hiring for [specialty]
- Experience with AI sourcing or scheduling tools
- Familiarity with pay transparency and fair hiring rules in [state]
Pay and benefits
Pay range: [$ to $] per year [plus commission or bonus of up to $ / percent]. [Benefits: health, dental, retirement match, paid time off, remote stipend.]
How to apply
Apply at [link] with your resume. Tell us in two lines about a hard search you filled and how. We reply to every applicant within [number] business days.
Free from Work Insiders. Edit it to fit your team.
What should you pay a recruiter?
The median annual wage for human resources specialists, the group that includes recruiters, was $75,940 in May 2025, with the lowest 10 percent under $47,180 and the highest 10 percent over $128,720, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many states and cities now require a pay range in the job ad, so put one in.
What does a recruiter do day to day?
A full cycle recruiter spends most of the week on four things: understanding what the hiring manager needs, finding people, talking to them, and moving them through interviews to an offer. In an agency the recruiter also sells: winning job orders from clients is half the job. In house, the recruiter spends more time on hiring manager coaching, reporting and employer brand.
How should you customize this recruiter job description?
- Name the type of roles they will fill. Engineering recruiting and hourly retail recruiting are different jobs.
- Give a realistic requisition load. Candidates will ask.
- Say agency or in house up front, and explain commission plainly if there is one.
- List the tools you actually use, such as your ATS and sourcing tools.
- Include the pay range. Many states and cities require it in job ads.
Agency recruiter vs in house recruiter: what changes in the job description?
| Section | Agency recruiter | In house recruiter |
|---|---|---|
| Main goal | Placements and fees billed | Hires for internal teams |
| Business development | Usually required | Not required |
| Pay | Base plus commission | Salary plus bonus |
| Key metrics | Placements, fees, send outs | Time to fill, quality of hire, offer acceptance |
Frequently asked questions
What are the main duties of a recruiter?
Running intake meetings with hiring managers, sourcing and screening candidates, managing interviews, and extending and closing offers. Agency recruiters also win new business from clients.
What qualifications does a recruiter need?
Most roles ask for one to three years of recruiting or customer facing experience. A bachelor's degree is common but not always required, and ATS and sourcing skills matter more.
How much should I pay a recruiter?
The median annual wage for human resources specialists, the BLS group that includes recruiters, was $75,940 in May 2025. See our recruiter salary page for the full range.
Should a recruiter job description include commission?
Yes, if the role pays one. Say how commission is earned and give a realistic first year total, not just the best case.
How long should a job description be?
Around 300 to 600 words. Long enough to answer a candidate's main questions, short enough to read on a phone.
Sources
Written by recruiters at Work Insiders. Updated November 4, 2026. How we make money.