How have Recruiters Changed Over the Past 4 Decades? [infographic]

According to the infographic from RecruitLoop, “The Evolution of the Recruitment Consultant,” over the past four decades, recruiters have transformed from sales-driven corporates to more social, relationship-focused cyber-sleuths. The infographic broke down this transformation from the 1980s to the 2010s, even offering a prediction for the 2020s.

1980s: Recruitment Top Gun

The 80s tech boom allowed high-flying recruiters to their spread wings and headhunt more senior, more technical, and more specialized roles.

• They were headhunting computer and network technicians
• Social skills were face-to-face meetings, usually at a bar
• Used local and national newspapers

1990s: Pulp Fiction Recruitment

The Booming tech industry and dotcom bubble made recruiters’ work hard and play even harder.

• They headhunted systems analysts and computer programmers and engineers
• Social skills included emailing and talking over the phone on-the-go, using web databases
• Used newspapers and job boards such as Monster, CareerBuilder and HotJobs

2000s: Minority Report Recruitment

Recruiters became even more tech savvy as print declined and many created a virtual presence.

• Headhunted experienced real estate professionals and e-commerce managers
• Social skills included becoming extremely computer literate to check sites, such as LinkedIn, and use specialized job searches
• Used newspapers, job boards and LinkedIn

2010s: The Social Network Recruitment

A shift occurred from working in the office to working anywhere at anytime. Recruiters had to be flexible with the latest social networks and apps to stay ahead of the game.

• Headhunted mobile app developers, content designer and writers
• Social skills meant being socially everywhere connected by any means, 24/7.
• Used online job boards, social networks, and video interviewing

2020s: Software is the Eating World

“Over the next 10 years, I expect many more industries to be disrupted by software, with new-world Silicon Valley companies doing the disruption in more cases than not,” said Marc Andressen, co-founder and general partner of the venture capital firm, Andreessen Horowitz.