Whether you work for an HR department or a staffing agency, the field of recruitment for skilled jobs is fast-paced and constantly evolving. To stay on top of the latest practices for recruiting skilled workers, it’s critical to be continually learning, developing, and yes—reading.
Of course, that begs the question: which books? We know you’re busy placing candidates and liaising with clients, so to save you time, we’ve put together a list of the top books on recruitment right now. Pick up one—or a couple—to kickstart your reading journey.
What books on recruitment should I be reading?
To make sure you’re up to date on the newest ideas on recruitment, we recommend these informative reads:
Recruiting 101: The Fundamentals of Being a Great Recruiter by Steven R Mostyn
Just dipping your toe into the world of recruiting? Recruiting 101 is the perfect place to start, providing an overview of industry fundamentals for junior recruiters beginning their careers and senior recruiters looking to brush up their skills.
Crack open this excellent primer to learn more about what Mostyn calls the 15 fundamental recruiting skills. Among others, you’ll discover best practices for sourcing, social media, recruitment marketing, cold calling, and candidate engagement. The book even provides vital intel on the top online recruitment tools to help you get ahead.
Who should read it: Anyone new to recruiting
Where to find it: Amazon
Who by Geoff Smart and Randy Street
Quickly growing into a new classic, this 2008 New York Times bestseller is all about understanding who you should hire and why. Smart and Street consider unsuccessful hiring to be the single biggest problem in business—but they also have a solution.
In Who, they present their A Method for hiring, which starts with avoiding practices that don’t work and defining the outcomes you’re hoping to achieve from hiring. According to the authors, the method is based on more than 1,300 hours of interviews with billionaires and CEOs and has a stunning success rate.
Who should read it: Recruiters, HR leaders, and hiring managers
Where to find it: Amazon
The Robot-Proof Recruiter: A Survival Guide for Recruitment and Sourcing Professionals by Katrina Collier
Considered one of the leading modern staffing books, The Robot-Proof Recruiter examines recruitment in the age of artificial intelligence. Using fascinating case studies and her own extensive expertise in recruitment, Collier explores how HR and staffing professionals can leverage the power of digital sourcing while maintaining a “human-first” approach.
Throughout this informative guide, she stresses the importance of technology, while also emphasizing the importance of human interaction. In a time when it has never been more important to hire the right workers, this book provides valuable insights to help recruiters find the right people.
Who should read it: Recruiters and HR professionals
Where to find it: Amazon
Recruit Rockstars: The 10 Step Playbook to Find the Winners and Ignite Your Business by Jeff Hyman
This wildly readable book is an indispensable resource for anyone in the field of recruitment, from HR departments to staffing agencies. Hyman offers an in-depth breakdown of the 10 strategic steps that recruiters should take to hire the best candidates, who he calls “rockstars.”
Despite the book’s conversational tone, Hyman’s points are backed up by extensive data, helping you feel confident that he knows his stuff. Pick up Recruit Rockstars if you’re interested in common sense techniques to recruit smarter.
Who should read it: Recruiters and HR professionals
Where to find it: Amazon
Talent Magnet: How to Attract and Keep the Best People by Mark Miller
Part of Chick-fil-A executive Mark Miller’s High Performance series, this book outlines universal lessons for recruiters and business leaders using an extended case study. This succinct guide offers insights on what you should look for in a candidate and how to ensure that the best people stick around. It’s a quick, accessible read, providing solid lessons for staffing professionals who are interested in better understanding the job market.
Who should read it: Recruiters, HR professionals, and business leaders
Where to find it: Amazon
Hiring for Diversity: A Complete Guide by Gerardus Blokdyk
Incorporating diversity into your workforce should be a top priority for anyone in recruitment. Hiring for Diversity: A Complete Guide is a valuable resource to enhance your understanding of leading diversity strategies and how to incorporate them into your work.
It’s the perfect read for anyone in the staffing industry who is looking to become more knowledgeable on the topic, integrate evidence-based strategies, and ensure that their organization meets its diversity goals.
Who should read it: Recruiters and HR professionals interested in diversity
Where to find it: Amazon
Righteous Recruiting: Essays on Reinventing Talent Acquisition for People by Liz Ryan
In this engaging collection of essays, a former Fortune 500 Human Resources SVP, lays out practical advice for enhancing your recruitment skills and adopting people-centric practices. Ryan’s thesis is that when recruiters communicate better and improve their processes, they develop a competitive advantage that puts them ahead of the pack.
The fascinating read includes concrete advice and philosophical musings, offering something for everyone. Pick up this book if you’re serious about rethinking your approach to recruitment and learning something new.
Who should read it: Recruiters and HR professionals interested in diversity
Where to find it: Amazon
The Consultative Recruiter: The Key to Faster Fills, More Candidates and Happier Hiring Managers by Katherine Moody
If the biggest roadblock in your recruitment process is your clients or hiring managers, The Consultative Recruiter might help you out. The book explores the greatest hurdles that recruiters face—including communication with clients—and breaks down a comprehensive strategy to overcome them.
Read this book to discover a new set of recruiting strategies to add to your toolbox. The goal? Fill roles faster, make your clients happy, and grow your career.
Who should read it: Recruiters and HR professionals looking to fill roles faster
Where to find it: Amazon
The bottom line
Remember, in this field, there’s always more to learn. Although long-form reads take more time, reading books on recruitment is one of the best strategies for growing your skills and understanding leading practices in the staffing industry. Whatever you’re looking to learn, there’s a book out there for you.
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