About Us

Our History. The Society was founded in 1979, when it was established by a group of individuals working primarily in the fields of Recruitment Advertising and Consultancy. As at the time they had no natural "home" or forum where they could meet like-minded professionals to discuss and debate latest developments, the Society was formed. From those early origins, the Society evolved and emerged, over time, as an inclusive body for all those working in and having an interest in all aspects of Resourcing and Retention. Accordingly, the membership grew to include in-house HR Resourcing specialists, employment industry intermediaries at every level and type of recruitment, the media - sector and national, Recruitment Advertising agencies, Online Recruitment experts, Talent Management specialists, Recruitment Analysts, Occupational Psychologists with a focus on employment, Outplacement, members of other related Trade & Professional Associations (such as CIPD, the REC, and AGR) and Consultants of all types involved in any aspect of Resourcing - in fact the list is almost endless!

In this way, the Society became known as "the meeting place for best practice, ideas and experience." As one of the main UK forums for presentation and discussion about leading edge Resourcing & Retention issues, the Society runs topical high quality speaker events, which also provide excellent informal networking opportunities for all those with a professional interest in best practice in Resourcing.

As the Society's profile has grown, so it has also become valued as a sought after UK national voice on Resourcing issues. Most recently, the major change in the Society's structure is for it to become the UK professional membership body bringing together all those involved in Resourcing - high calibre events remain a key part of the Society's offering to the Membership, but Membership is increasingly seen to confer other invaluable Benefits as well.

Benefits

As the Society grows in stature, the aim is to increase the range of Benefits we offer to Members, but the core advantages are:

  • The unique proposition of the Society is that it is the UK voice of Best Practice and Innovation in Recruitment, and it is inclusive of all those with a professional interest in Recruitment. Thus the very fact of being a Society Member is increasingly meaningful and respected by those you come into professional contact with every working day.
  • Membership of The Recruitment Society makes a powerful statement about you, and about your organisation, and the high standards to which you, and we, aspire.
  • There is a regular programme of events, offering top quality speakers and topics of current interest. These events are usually either free or available at discounted rates to Members and their guests, depending on the specific Membership Level and Terms offered in any Membership year.
  • Excellent Networking opportunities with a diverse and large number of people active in all different areas of Resourcing and related activities.
  • Members will be able to use the Society's logo on their own materials, such as stationery and websites. That is a fundamental offering as part of the membership package (subject to permission being granted and on the understanding that the privilege can be withdrawn at any time at the sole discretion of the Committee.) In the same way Members can also use the designation "Member of The Recruitment Society" on their own account.
  • Members will have access to both communal topical discussion (currently run through our LinkedIn Group) and have an "ask the expert" facility, where the Society can provide guidance on confidential issues for Members. In due course this area will include an access to technical briefings.
  • The Society will be introducing and maintaining a Best Practice digest, and act as a referral source for best practice.
  • Lobbying access.  Topics for consideration can be submitted to the Society by Members and the priorities for this activity are reviewed about every three months.
  • Consumer reviews of suppliers, products etc, will be encouraged from all Members for inclusion within the Members' area of the website.
  • As the Society grows, we envisage the growth of the number of partnership arrangements with relevant suppliers of products and services. These should enable Society Members to enjoy discounted rates from such partners.

All in all, the range of Benefits available, and which are subject to ongoing review at all times, make Society membership at whatever level an extremely cost effective and valuable proposition.