A Day in the Life of a Recruiter: Inside Episode Two of Progressing Careers Everywhere

Our new podcast Progressing Careers Everywhere, continues showing what a career in recruitment and consulting really looks like day to day.

Hosted this week by Kai Pesch, Recruitment Consultant, Episode Two takes listeners behind the scenes of a recruiter’s daily routine. Joining Kai is Benjamin Cole, Senior Recruitment Consultant, who walks us through how his days are structured, what keeps him motivated, and the challenges that come with working in one of the most fast-paced people-focused careers.

From Early Starts to Focused Finishes:

Ben’s day starts early; with flexible start times available, he chooses to begin at 7:30a.m, setting himself up to hit the ground running as early as possible.

“First things first, cup of coffee, start the engine, open the laptop… see if there's any big stuff going on that I missed.”

Mornings are dedicated to outbound calls and market conversations. This is where new opportunities are created, insights are gained, and momentum is built for the rest of the week.

Once the business development block is complete, Ben’s schedule becomes more flexible. Meetings with clients often follow, allowing him to immediately apply insights gained from conversations earlier in the day.

Afternoons: The Candidate Side of Recruitment

After lunch, the focus shifts. Ben concentrates on the candidate side of the business, which includes everything from sourcing candidates, speaking with freelancers, and managing active processes.

This structured split between clients in the morning and candidates in the afternoon helps provide clarity and focus throughout the day, even when unexpected priorities arise.

“That’s the real framework of my day. Every now and then, you know, you have to be flexible (when there are) urgent matters that need tending to.”

What’s Most Rewarding, and What’s Most Challenging

For Ben, the most rewarding part of recruitment is clear: business development.

“So you identify new opportunities, you meet new people…you can really see the progression.”

The biggest challenge? Maintaining energy throughout the entire day, especially during afternoon call blocks after lunch. It’s a test of discipline and mental stamina that every recruiter experiences differently.

Time Management, Priorities, and the Reality of Limited Hours

With clients, candidates, and administrative work all demanding attention, balancing time is one of recruitment’s toughest challenges, especially early in your career.

Ben openly admits that time management and prioritisation were major hurdles at the start.

“For me, everything was very urgent. Top priority.”

Over time, structure, planning, and support from experienced colleagues helped change that. Learning what truly needs immediate attention, and more importantly what can wait, became key to staying effective and avoiding overwhelm.

“If you plan correctly, if you prioritize correctly, pretty much everything will get done, you know, or at least the stuff that really needs to be done”

Working on Tough Roles: Resilience Is Non-Negotiable

When it comes to niche roles or high-priority assignments, the pressure increases. These aren’t searches with easy solutions, and that’s exactly why clients need recruiters.

“If it was that easy, they probably wouldn’t need us.”

These moments demand resilience, persistence, and clarity on why you’re doing the job in the first place. Without that, it’s easy to lose momentum.

🎧 Episode Two of Progressing Careers Everywhere is available now.
Head to our website to hear Ben’s full story and get a real look into the day-to-day life of a recruiter.

👉 https://podfollow.com/progressing-careers-everywhere-podcast/view