Let’s talk about switching lanes in recruitment.
Not roles. Industries.
We often say, “If you’re a good recruiter, you can recruit anywhere.”
And… yes.
But also — no. Not really.
I’ve spent a lot of time recruiting for tech.
I know the language, the tools, the platforms. I know that with many engineers, small talk isn’t the icebreaker — it's often a codebase.
You keep it short. Clear. Technical. No fluff. No selling. Just facts and a clean process.
(And no, they don’t want to hear about the “great atmosphere” before they see the stack.)
Now throw me into pharma. Or sales. Or accounting.
Sure, I can adapt. I want to adapt. It’s fun, even — a new type of candidate, new language, new market logic.
But I won’t lie — it’s not the same game.
💡Sales roles? Way more energy, more persuasion, more… well, talking.
🧾 Accountants? Detail-oriented, methodical, and often want clear stability before anything else.
💊 Pharma? Regulations, certifications, very specific career paths.
Each one has its own rhythm. Its own ecosystem. Its own unwritten rules.
So yes — good recruiters can cross industries.
But let’s stop pretending it’s just a plug-and-play situation.
- You need time to understand the new context.
- You need to relearn where your candidates live — and how they speak.
- You need to challenge your own habits and biases.
And let’s be real — some recruiters thrive on that. Others don’t.
Some love becoming experts in one niche. Others prefer to jump between worlds.
Both are valid. But neither is “easy.”
Especially in IT.
Because IT has its own culture, its own pace, and its own constant change.
(And let’s be honest — every industry probably says the same. “Yeah, but we’re not IT.”)
So if you’re switching industries as a recruiter — hats off to you.
You’re not just changing job titles.
You’re changing the language of talent.
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