Direct Hiring Authority Jobs in Chicago, IL

Entry‑level recruiters earn $55k‑$75k. Mid‑level Talent Acquisition Specialists command $75k‑$110k. Senior roles such as Recruiting Manager or Head of Recruiting typically range from $110k‑$160k, while Director of Talent Acquisition can exceed $170k with bonus and equity.

Key skills include Boolean search, LinkedIn Recruiter, ATS mastery (Greenhouse, Lever, Workday), data analysis with Excel or Tableau, and interview design. Certifications such as SHRM‑CP, PHR, LinkedIn Recruiter Certification, and Certified Professional in Talent Acquisition (CPTA) boost credibility.

Yes, most companies offer fully remote or hybrid options. 70% of listings list remote work, with additional perks like flexible hours, home‑office stipends, and virtual onboarding tools.

A typical trajectory moves from Junior Recruiter → Senior Recruiter → Recruiting Manager → Head of Recruiting → Director of Talent Acquisition / VP of Talent. Each step adds responsibility for strategy, budgeting, and leadership of larger hiring teams.

Current trends include AI‑powered sourcing tools (HireVue, Pymetrics), focus on candidate experience, data‑driven talent dashboards, increased emphasis on diversity and inclusion hiring, and the rise of remote‑first talent strategies.