Top 10 Recruitment Agencies in the UK: elevate your career!
In today’s competitive job market, finding the right career opportunity can feel like an overwhelming challenge, especially for students and recent graduates. Unfortunately, but very often you can find in job advertisements that employers want people with experience for junior positions. Sounds absurd right? From the perspective of candidates, especially those who have just completed their studies, this is a tough nut to crack.
Do you think senior employees have it much easier? Nothing could be more wrong. They apply to publicly available job offers, where their CVs are often checked by the computer and if some keywords are missing – the chance is lost.
That is why it is worth taking an interest in the operation of recruitment agencies. These companies possess the expertise, connections, and resources to guide you towards your dream job and kickstart your professional journey.
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Why use the services of a recruitment agency?
From providing exclusive access to hidden job opportunities to offering personalized career advice, the top recruitment agencies in the UK specialize in matching talented individuals with employers seeking their unique skills and potential. Their extensive networks span across various industries, including finance, technology, marketing, and more, ensuring that students and graduates from diverse backgrounds can find their perfect fit. The best recruitment agencies in the UK play a vital role in the job market.
By leveraging the services of these renowned recruitment agencies, students and graduates gain a competitive edge in the job market. They can tap into a wealth of resources, including interview preparation, CV optimization, and valuable industry insights. Moreover, these companies often work closely with prestigious businesses, both big and small, giving aspiring professionals the chance to secure coveted positions and launch their careers on a trajectory of success.
To delve deeper into the world of recruitment agencies and understand how they can shape your future, read our comprehensive article on the Top 10 Best Recruitment Agencies in the UK. Let their expertise guide you towards your professional aspirations and unlock a world of opportunities. Don’t miss out— read to learn more and embark on your path to success.
Top 10 recruitment agencies in the UK
**The following ranking of companies is a collection of companies that, according to the made research, are most often mentioned by various portals as the best recruitment companies in the UK. Gowork does not endorse any of the following companies in any way, nor is it an advertisement. Also, the number on the list does not mean that one company is better than another.
1. REED
Established in 1995, Reed.co.uk was the pioneer in offering a recruitment website by a UK-based agency. Over the years, it has evolved into one of the foremost career marketplaces in the country. Reed.co.uk serves as a platform for over 30,000 recruiters annually, encompassing employers from both the private and public sectors, as well as prominent recruitment agencies and consultants.
Reed Courses collaborates with approximately 1,000 reputable learning providers to promote a diverse range of over 70,000 courses. These courses span various subjects, including accounting, HR, fitness, cooking, and many others.
The Reed Group is a consortium of 11 enterprises, each established with the mission of enhancing lives through meaningful work, striving to make work more beneficial for all individuals. Since its inception in 1960 under the leadership of Sir Alec Reed, the group has dedicated itself to constantly seeking improved methods of assisting individuals and businesses as they navigate the realm of employment, regardless of the specific circumstances.
Rating in Google: 4.8
2. Hays
Hays is a renowned international (but originally British) recruitment company that excels in various industries, including IT, finance, construction, and healthcare. They operate in over 21 sectors and have established themselves as one of the top players in the field. With a global presence spanning 253 offices and a team of over 10,000+ professionals, Hays is dedicated to finding candidates for permanent positions, temporary assignments, and contractual jobs. Their exceptional customer service has consistently positioned them as a leading recruitment firm in the UK.
Hays is committed to supporting every form of equality, diversity and inclusion, both in terms of attracting talent to Hays and leveraging the potential and opportunities within their business.
Rating in Google: 4.0
3. Huntress Group
Established in 2000, Huntress is a local recruitment company that prioritizes efficient connections between candidates and employers in the fields of office support, accounting & finance, and IT.
Each year, their dedicated teams collectively place over 10,000 candidates into various temporary, contract, and permanent positions, collaborating with more than 1500 employers. They seek passionate and ambitious individuals who possess the necessary skills and are committed to training and promoting these individuals within their organization.
Rating in Google: 4.4
4. Brite Recruitment
Since its establishment in 2006, Brite Recruitment has experienced remarkable growth as a team, continuously expanding its capabilities. The company has thrived in the competitive recruitment industry, forging enduring relationships with a dedicated client base and cultivating an extensive database of candidates. Committed to exceptional service, Brite Recruitment has built its foundation on core principles of simplicity, honesty, and passion. While they refrain from labeling themselves as a ‘generalist recruitment agency,’ their team possesses the expertise to recruit across various sectors and industries.
As the demand for top talent continues to rise and the availability of such talent becomes increasingly scarce, Brite Recruitment endeavors to promptly and effectively meet the employment needs of their clients. Throughout the process, they maintain transparent communication, keeping clients informed every step of the way. Whether it’s catering to small local businesses or global corporations, Brite Recruitment offers customized services to suit budgets of all sizes.
Rating in Google: 4.9
5. Silicon Milkroundabout
Silicon Milkroundabout is a startup recruitment agency based in London with a particular focus on serving technology companies. Their primary approach to connecting talented tech professionals with innovative tech companies involves organizing complimentary events biannually. Their inaugural event took place in May 2011 at a local pub, but they have made remarkable progress since then. Presently, they organize increasingly larger events twice a year in London.
These events provide a unique opportunity for direct interaction with numerous team leaders, hiring managers, founders, and potential future colleagues. For example some of the companies present at their event in May of 2023 are: BBC, Amazon, Booking.com or Google. To stay informed about their upcoming events, you can easily register on their website. Additionally, their website features a comprehensive directory of hiring companies, enabling you to explore job openings at your desired employers and leverage potential opportunities. They are now embarking on expansion to additional cities worldwide.
No rating in Google.
6. Michael Page
Michael Page, part of the original PageGroup brand, consists of 25 specialized divisions, each catering to a specific market segment. The industries that they work for are among others: technology, fashion, legal, life sciences and construction. Their services encompass recruiting for permanent, temporary, contract, and interim positions, typically targeting candidates at the second or third stage of their careers and beyond.
The companies they collaborate with range from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to large global corporations. Their website is equipped with a set of innovative tools known as ‘Job Match‘ that handle the task of job searching on candidate’s behalf. By uploading your resume, these tools will autonomously evaluate your experience and skills, and then explore their extensive database of job openings to identify the ones that are an ideal fit for you.
We say yes to such innovations, but it is worth remembering that it is only a machine that can make a mistake. It will match the job to your CV but not to your internal needs. That’s why before you decide to apply, take a look at your chosen company’s thread on gowork.uk and see if it matches your requirements, not you to theirs.
Origins in the UK: their journey began in the UK back in 1976, operating with just two individuals in a modest office space above a laundrette. Over nearly four decades, they have expanded exponentially and currently employ over 7,000 professionals, establishing a global network of offices while simultaneously expanding their presence in the UK market.
Michael Page can boast of such distinctions as Britain’s Most Admired Companies of 2022 in categories: commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion, financial soundness, support services (people & places).
Rating in Google: 4.8
7. Deerfoot IT Recruitment
As one of the oldest independent IT recruitment consultancies in the UK, they have a rich history of 25 years specializing solely in the search and engagement of IT talent. Throughout this period, they have developed extensive knowledge and honed their methodologies to consistently achieve tangible outcomes in all IT disciplines.
They collaborate with a diverse range of organizations, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), global corporations, and public sector institutions. Below, we highlight some of the prominent and widely recognized companies with whom they have established partnerships: Capgemini (IT hires across nearly all counties within the UK); Emirates Airlines (IT hires into Dubai); The London Stock Exchange Group (IT hires within the City of London); Travelex: support Travelex in IT hires for locations in Cambridgeshire, Surrey, and London.
They promise to provide a candidate with a full vacancy description; benefits package information, a link to their client’s website and a fact sheet on the client.
They do not offer or rarely offer entry level jobs but it is worth getting acquainted with this recruitment agency if you are planning your career to know whose services to use after gaining your first experience.
Rating in Google: 4.7
8. Nolan Recruitment
Nolan Recruitment is a specialist engineering recruitment agency and one of the leading engineering recruitment agencies in its field. They deliver service to its clients and candidates in the Engineering and Energy sectors across the United Kingdom. With their extensive experience of over two decades, they possess a deep understanding of their clients’ needs.
They are also dedicated to connecting employers in the green sector with passionate individuals, fostering the development of ideas that prioritize the well-being of the planet. Their clients include a diverse array of employers, ranging from renewable energy providers to environmental consultancies, all seeking motivated employees. If one possesses a genuine passion for the environment and seeks an exhilarating new opportunity, they offer their expertise in assisting them in finding the ideal role.
When looking for a job in the sectors in which Nolan Recruitment specializes, you can easily browse through the offers on their website where the salary is clearly indicated, which is an important point from the perspective of any candidate. This company boasts statistics which state that 65% of their candidates who attend an interview are offered the position compared to an industry average of 17%.
Rating in Google: 4.9
9. Tiger Recruitment
Tiger Recruitment is a boutique recruitment agency headquartered in the West End London, where the business was founded back in 2001 (but you can find them also in Manchester and Bristol). The company consists of six main divisions: Tiger Business Support, Tiger Private, Tiger HR, Tiger Hospitality, Tiger Finance, and Tiger Digital.
The agency specializes in connecting outstanding support staff with clients, with each division catering to a specific sector. They recruit for permanent, contract/interim, temp and virtual/remote positions across all their divisions. It is a noteworthy agency for those who have just graduated from college. They partner with candidates at all levels – from graduates looking for their first job as a team assistant or receptionist, to experienced professionals.
Rating in Google: 4.6
10. Airswift Recruitment
Airswift is a leading global provider of workforce solutions for STEM industries. With an extensive talent pool and a widespread presence in over 60 offices worldwide, they have a remarkable reach that sets them apart in the industry. One of the three cities where Airswift is headquartered in the world is Manchester.
For four decades, Airswift has been dedicated to transforming lives through workforce solutions, which encompass talent acquisition, global employment and mobility, managed solutions, and consulting services. The main industries that they are looking candidates for are divided into:
- Chemicals
- Construction
- Nuclear
- Oil & Gas
- Power
- Process, Mining & Manufacturing
- Rail
- Renewable Energy
- Technology
Airswift authors the Global Energy Talent Index, a yearly publication that examines employment patterns, skill requirements, and salary trends within the energy industry.
Rating in Google: 3.7
Do you want to get to know more about the above-mentioned companies? Click on their names and check out the feedback threads. And if you think you know better companies that should be included in this ranking, share it with us on gowork.uk!
