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Talent Acquisition Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL

Graham Enterprise Inc.

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Talent Acquisition Specialist, Store Operations

Vernon Hills, IL · On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

Associate's degree or Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred. Minimum of 2 years of recruiting, talent acquisition, retail operations, or related experience preferred. High-volume recruiting ...

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Talent Acquisition Associate information

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$5

$23

$39

How much do talent acquisition associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for talent acquisition associate in Chicago, IL is $23.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.34 and $26.49 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a talent acquisition associate do?

A Talent Acquisition Associate is responsible for supporting the recruitment and hiring process within an organization. They help source, screen, and coordinate interviews with job candidates, often working closely with hiring managers and HR teams. Their duties may also include posting job listings, managing applicant tracking systems, and assisting with onboarding new employees. The goal of a Talent Acquisition Associate is to ensure the company attracts and hires qualified talent efficiently.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a talent acquisition associate?

To thrive as a Talent Acquisition Associate, you need a solid understanding of recruitment processes, strong organizational skills, and often a bachelor's degree in human resources or a related field. Familiarity with applicant tracking systems (ATS), HR databases, and sourcing tools like LinkedIn Recruiter is typically required. Outstanding interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and the ability to build rapport with candidates distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure the efficient identification, engagement, and hiring of qualified talent, directly impacting organizational growth and success.

What are some common challenges talent acquisition associates face when sourcing candidates, and how can they overcome them?

Talent Acquisition Associates often encounter challenges such as finding qualified candidates in competitive markets and engaging passive job seekers. To overcome these obstacles, associates can leverage multiple sourcing channels, build strong employer branding, and maintain proactive communication with potential candidates. Collaborating closely with hiring managers to understand role requirements and using data-driven tools can also help streamline the sourcing process and improve candidate quality.

What is the difference between Talent Acquisition Associate vs Recruiter?

AspectTalent Acquisition AssociateRecruiter
ResponsibilitiesSupports hiring processes, sources candidates, assists with onboardingManages full-cycle recruiting, interviews candidates, makes hiring decisions
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s degree in HR or related fieldOften requires similar qualifications, sometimes with additional certifications
Work EnvironmentCorporate HR teams, staffing agenciesCorporate HR, staffing agencies, recruitment firms
FocusSupporting hiring efforts, candidate sourcingEnd-to-end recruitment process, candidate selection

While both roles involve recruiting, a Talent Acquisition Associate primarily supports the hiring process and candidate sourcing, often within HR teams. A Recruiter typically manages the full-cycle recruitment process, including interviewing and hiring decisions. The roles overlap in credentials and work environment but differ in scope and responsibilities.

Is talent acquisition a hard job?

Talent acquisition is a challenging role that involves sourcing, screening, and hiring candidates, often under tight deadlines and high expectations. Success requires strong communication, organizational skills, and knowledge of recruiting tools and platforms. The job can be demanding but also rewarding for those skilled in relationship building and assessment.

Is talent acquisition an entry level job?

Talent acquisition roles can be entry-level positions, especially for those starting in recruiting or human resources. These jobs often require strong communication skills and may involve training in applicant tracking systems and sourcing techniques. However, some roles may prefer candidates with prior experience or related certifications.

What are the most commonly searched types of Talent Acquisition jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Talent Acquisition jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Talent Acquisition Associate jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Talent Acquisition Associate jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Talent Acquisition Associate jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Talent Acquisition Associate jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Talent Acquisition Associate jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Talent Acquisition Associate job openings:

Talent Acquisition Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Talent Acquisition Associate job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,632 per year, or $23.4 per hour.

Senior Associate, Talent Acquisition - Emerging Talent

WPP Media

Chicago, IL

$45K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago

WPP Media rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 78 rated media

Job description

Job Title: Senior Associate, Talent Acquisition - Emerging Talent

About WPP Media WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands, leveraging exceptional talent, data, and world-class partnerships. WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven operating unit, delivering creative personalization at scale through media, data, and proprietary platforms. We are committed to a culture built on values of extraordinary creativity, openness, and optimistic growth, fostering an environment where both clients and employees thrive. For more information, visit wppmedia.com.

Role Summary The Senior Associate, Talent Acquisition - Emerging Talent is crucial to WPP Media's talent strategy, responsible for the full lifecycle recruitment of early career professionals. This role drives the identification, engagement, and onboarding of top emerging talent, supporting WPP Media's growth objectives.

Key Responsibilities

  • Conduct full lifecycle recruitment for early career roles such as summer internship and full-time Associates.
  • Utilize advanced talent platforms, including LinkedIn Recruiter and/or Handshake, for candidate sourcing and engagement.
  • Represent WPP Media at virtual and in-person career-related events to promote opportunities and brand awareness.
  • Partner with internal stakeholders to assess emerging talent needs and provide strategic recruitment updates.
  • Develop and implement strategies to enhance brand awareness and market WPP Media's early talent programs.
  • Identify and implement process improvements to increase recruitment efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Achieve or exceed established performance benchmarks (e.g., hires, feedback, outreach).

Qualifications

Required:

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Minimum of 2 years of full lifecycle recruitment experience, preferably within emerging/early career talent.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
  • Demonstrated strong presentation skills.
  • Willingness to commit to and actively participate in increasing the representation of underrepresented populations within media and advertising.
  • Ability to travel domestically for recruitment events as needed.
  • Proactive and collaborative work style, with a highly organized approach to task management.

Preferred:

  • Experience with Applicant Tracking Systems (e.g., Greenhouse), Handshake, and/or other talent sourcing platforms.
  • Prior experience in college/university admissions or recruitment.
  • Project management or coordination experience.

Life at WPP Media & Benefits WPP Media invests in its employees' growth and development. We operate a hybrid work model, with teams in the office approximately four days a week, fostering creativity and collaboration. We offer a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and group retirement plans, significant paid time off, and mental health awareness days. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect, belonging, and equal opportunity, supported by diverse employee resource groups and a focus on continuous learning.

The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, go to https://mybenefits.wpp.com/public/welcome for more details.

US Pay Range

$45,000 - $90,000 USD

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