High School

To prepare for a career as a recruiter, you should take business, speech, English, and mathematics classes in high school. Psychology and sociology courses will teach you how to recognize personality characteristics that may be key in helping you determine which recruits would best fit a position.

Postsecondary Training

In the civilian sector, most recruiters have a bachelors degree in human resources management or a business degree with a concentration in human resources management.

Military recruiters train via classroom instruction, on-the-job experience, and advanced course work. Classes cover recruiting methods, public speaking techniques, interviewing techniques, and community relations practices.

Visit the U.S. Department of Defenses Web site, https://www.todaysmilitary.com, for more on training for those interested in becoming military recruiters.

Certification or Licensing

There is no certification or licensing available for military recruiters.

Work as a military recruiter is not typically an entry-level job. Most recruiters enter the field after serving in the military for at least a few years.

Since much of the work is done face to face, recruiters need to be comfortable speaking in front of people. Public speaking skills are necessary whether addressing a gathering of students or community groups, or when interviewing a single candidate.

It is equally important to present a good first impression. Candidates, especially if they are unsure of which area to join, may be influenced by the rapport they develop with their respective military recruiter. Appearing too brash, insensitive, or indifferent may cause a potential candidate to look to another branch of the military, or reconsider his or her desire to serve.

Patience is another important personal skill. Recruiters realize that the decision to serve is an important one, and should give potential candidates the information, counseling, and time to make the right choice.