Is internal recruitment an easier job?

A colleague asked me the other day if I thought my job was easier than that of a recruitment consultant. I think not! It couldn't be further from the truth! I love my job and am extremely passionate about my role within the business and I enjoy every minute however, I don't think my job is any easier than that of a consultant. There are many similarities - I still have the stress and buzz of the fast pace and timescales to find the perfect candidate under demanding circumstances. I am a key figure within Sellick Partnership and each time I recommend a candidate, my reputation and my decision-making is on the line, which again is similar to what a recruitment consultant goes through with their client. 

You might disagree and say there is no business development or billing target to achieve within an internal recruiting role. There are still numerous challenges within my role - for example I have to build relationships and trust in my recommendations with my managers and directors. I am required to source candidates and sell working for Sellick Partnership, sell the specific individual roles and teams, all the while building a rapport and keeping the lines of communication open with the candidates - sometimes advising them throughout the interview process.

I meet candidates and carry out first interviews, and I am then required to sell my candidates to my managers and directors. I still face the rejection and knock backs from both candidates and their hiring managers when things don't go exactly to plan. I maintain my own social media networking, manage and place adverts on the job boards, all of which is a similar concept to the role of a recruitment consultant. I also have my competition out there from recruitment-to-recruitment businesses!

In an internal recruitment role like mine, the finger pointing at you is even greater to deliver the result and come up with the right candidate, as I am the only person within the business responsible for bringing people on board. This alone can be pressure in itself, especially when it's your peers and colleagues you are providing the service to which, in my opinion, can make the challenge even greater but also even more rewarding - that's my main source of job satisfaction.

It's funny, I have never seen myself as a salesperson, I like to think I engage with a person, build a rapport and develop relationships together with being highly organised... do you call this selling?

So, any of you out there who think internal recruitment is a walk in the park, think again! Do you agree? Let me know your thoughts!