31 Funny Recruiter Jokes & Memes That Make You Laugh or Cry

A day in the life of a modern Recruiter includes everything from reviewing resumes and attending meetings, to chasing hiring managers and extending offers.

Despite a Recruiter’s best laid plans, however, there are bound to be mishaps – dare we say glitches in the matrix – that can swiftly throw a well-planned day into chaos.

When you need a momentary respite from the daily hustle, why not indulge in a quick laugh?

Alison Beard notes, “laughter relieves stress and boredom, boosts engagement and well-being.” In addition, Beard continues, “laughter spurs creativity, collaboration, analytical precision and productivity.”

With stress relief in mind, we’ve scoured the web for the most humorous Recruiter memes that capture the simple joys and pains of recruiting.

Enjoy this specially curated collection of 31 Recruiter memes that highlight the uniquely universal moments shared by recruiting professionals across industry, region and company.

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Q: Was shopping the other day and some bloke threw a block of cheese at me.

A: I thought “How dairy?!”

Recruiter Memes About Candidates

Candidates – gotta love them in all of their various iterations. From the unprepared to the self-promoting, the jack of all trades to elusive purple squirrel; those who show up half an hour early for interviews to those that cancel 10 minutes before their onsite interview.

Here are a few comical reminders of the moments that make us chuckle.

#1 A question many rejected candidates want to ask.

#2 One of many thoughts Recruiters have when reviewing resumes.

#3 When you’re reaching out to reject a candidate, but they think you’re calling for an interview.,

#4 When you realize the candidate’s background isn’t a fit, but you offer to connect on LinkedIn…

#5 When candidates try to be helpful.

Recruiter Memes About Interviewing

As Smart Recruiters explains, the hiring process is the process of reviewing applications, selecting the right candidates to interview, testing candidates, choosing between candidates to make the hiring decision and performing various pre-employment tests and checks.

When the hiring process works, it’s a thing of beauty. But when it doesn’t, it creates an undeniable pain for both recruiters and candidates alike.

#6 We’ve all been here.

#7 Sometimes, it take all the strength you have to usher candidates through the process.

#8 Google Maps, anyone?

#9 Always a heartbreaker…

Recruiter Memes About Extending Offers

The moment you pick up the phone to extend an offer to the final candidate is a special moment, no many how times you’ve experienced it. Still, those outside of our field may be surprised to learn how many times we hear no, even at this critical juncture. Grab your tissue box in case these memes trigger less than pleasant memories.

#10 When the market is hot, it’s a race to the finish.

#11 The moment when your heart stops momentarily.

#12 The heart can only take so much. Fortunately, this one doesn’t happen too often.

Recruiter Memes About Recruiter Wins/Fails

As we explore the many recruiting blunders made by our candidates and hiring managers, we must stop and acknowledge the missteps we experience in a typical day in the life.

Whether we’re moving too fast and forget to make a scheduled call, or we fail to follow up with a hiring manager or candidate when promised, it’s important to recognize our errors, make amends and keep moving.

In the words of Payne Stewart, if you can’t laugh at yourself, then how can you laugh at anybody else?

#13 What a way to make a candidate feel special.

#14 When your phone call is never returned.

#15 It’s a rare but treasured moment.

#16 When you know how unrealistic your job description is, but you post it anyway.

#17 There’s no rest for the weary.

#18 For those times when you take a role from kickoff meeting to offer extend in 2 weeks flat.

#19 Sometimes a good candidate can slip out of your grasp before you can say, “Your interview is confirmed.”

#20 As if.

Recruiter Memes About Hiring Managers

We love to hate them and hate to love them. But in truth, we’re just BFFs in the making. In the hiring process, the hiring manager is the individual who will ultimately be the direct manager of the new hire. Learning to become strategic partners is a journey. Some days, recruiters have to laugh to keep from crying.

#21 Time to hit the easy button.

#22 Sometimes tossing it at the wall to see if it sticks is the only strategy you’ve got.

#23 Imagine needing a description of the role to find a qualified person.

#24 When it’s clear that the Hiring Manager knows best.

#25 It seems some hiring managers don’t realize…

#26 Cue The Weather Girls.

#27 If you had a dollar for every time this happened, you could retire today.

Recruiter Memes About Sourcing

Finding people is so easy, said no Sourcer, ever.

The process of “identifying, researching, generating, and networking with potential job candidates in order to convert individuals into job applicants” is no easy feat.

But what could go wrong, you ask? Messaging mishaps, phone call faux pas and slightly stalkerish behavior can make it hard to connect with the passive prospects we desire most.

But don’t take our word for it. Check out these sourcing memes that drive home our point.

#28 Who said sourcer and stalker were synonyms?

#29 Why yes, Lionel. I’ll take 1000 warm leads for the win.

#30 We remain ready to sell you on the idea of a better opportunity.

#31 The sourcer’s conundrum.

See what we meme?

Did these recruiter memes make you smile as you face the frustrations that come with recruiting life?

Feel free to share these recruiter memes with your recruiting teammates and peers so they too will know that the community understands how they feel.

If you’re really feeling bold, share this list with your friends and family to give them an inside peek at the behind the scenes life of a recruiter.

We hope these recruiter memes serve as a playful reminder that despite the daily difficulties, the work you do is significant, appreciated and for many candidates, life changing.

Keep up the good work!

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Which recruitment meme made you chuckle? Which meme were you inspired to share on social? Let us know in the comments below.

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