Top 5 London Employment Agencies That Do the Work (Though You Do the Job!)
Last week, I’m sipping my mediocre-at-best morning coffee when my phone buzzed. It’s my friend who somehow always manages to land in the most absurd situations.
Speaking of which, she mentions that she heard about this networking event that was supposedly the hot spot for job connections. Turns out, she had wandered into a city council volunteer meeting and ended up helping to distribute flyers for a local bake sale.
Very classic job hunting mishaps, but to save you from this, I’ve here listed London’s top (and reliable!) employment agencies. These agencies know their stuff and will help you find the job you actually want—no flyers involved.
How much do employment agencies in London charge?
Employment agencies in London typically charge a fee ranging from 10% to 30% of the candidate’s first-year salary. For example, if you’re hiring for a position with a £50,000 annual salary, you could expect to pay between £5,000 and £15,000 to the agency.
1. Give a Grad a Go
Address: Gainsborough Studios, South Studio D, 1 Poole St.
Phone: +44 207 100 8800
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 6 PM
When we checked out Give a Grad a Go, we’re pretty impressed with their setup. They’re not your average recruitment agency; these guys boast a super streamlined process.
You just register, upload your CV, and you’re off to the races, thanks to their nifty job board where you can apply with just a click. What’s more, their team’s made up of recent graduates themselves, so they totally get the struggle of job hunting.
We also loved how they go the extra mile with interview prep and honest feedback. It’s not just about landing you any old job—they’re all about finding the right fit.
One thing that impressed us was their diverse client portfolio. From tech startups to big global brands, they’ve got connections all over the place.
Their 96% probation pass rate for candidates is pretty solid too.
On the flip side, we did notice their services might be a bit pricey for some employers. And while they’re great at graduate recruitment, they might not be the best fit if you’re looking for more senior roles.
Exceptional support and communication
“I could not recommend Give a Grad a Go more ! Both Claire and Luke were so lovely and helpful. Especially to Luke who helped from start to finish securing an amazing job. He was so easy to reach and kept me in the loop throughout the whole process, was an amazing experience working with him”
Lily Mckeown, Google Review
Outstanding friendliness and accessibility
“I could not recommend Give a Grad a Go more! Every recruiter I interacted with throughout my application process was really friendly, easy to reach and informative. I would like to especially thank Joe Goddard for all his help and I would definitely work with this company again in the future.”
Aaron Sinclair, Google Review
2. Reed Recruitment Agency
Address: Copenhagen House, 5-10 Bury St.
Phone: +44 207 929 8662
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 6 PM
Reed Recruitment Agency has this comprehensive employment service that really stood out to us. They handle everything from job listings to interview setups, making the entire hiring process super smooth.
We noted how their consultants are thorough in understanding their client’s career aspirations, clearly communicating with them every step of the way. With this, they can help align you with job opportunities that actually fit your skills and interests.
Something else that impressed us was their marketing services. Reed’s strong online presence and strategic ad placements really highlight how they connect employers and job-seekers effectively.
We spoke with a few former clients who echoed our thoughts. They praised Reed’s dedication and thoroughness.
However, we’re just a bit iffy about the costs. Some clients mentioned that their services can be a bit pricey, and a few noted occasional delays due to high demand.
Despite these, Reed really provides transparent communication with clients. They keep you updated every step of the way, and their detailed approach is reassuring.
Vital recruitment expertise and persistence
“We have received a great service from Lisa Bush. She has assisted us in recruiting several staff members. One particular role was tricky to find the right fit. She listened to our needs and persevered until she found the right candidate. Lisa is patient, professional and has been vital in us finally having a full team. She is and will continue to be our go to for recruitment. Thank you for your help!”
Claire Koi, Google Review
Unwavering support and accurate guidance
“Had a very good experience throughout the whole process from applying to receiving a job offer. Lisa was really helpful and always at the end of the phone if I needed her help or advice, now I’ve started the role everything she told me before hand was all correct and true and I have her to massively thank”
Daniel Feller, Google Review
3. Morgan Hunt
Address: 21 Mansell St.
Phone: +44 207 419 8900
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Morgan Hunt is quite an impressive employment agency that we’ve come across. We delved into their services, and what grabbed our attention was their wide range of offerings.
First off, their employment service covers an extensive array of sectors, including charity, education, finance, government, and more. They’re not just about finding you a job but truly connecting you with the right fit in both the public and private sectors.
But, given this wide range, their service comes with a premium price tag. Additionally, there could be minor delays in certain services due to high demand.
Nonetheless, Morgan Hunt is pretty meticulous in their process. Their initial consultations are thorough so they can understand their clients’ exact requirements.
We also observed how comprehensive their screenings are, leading them to come up with well-defined shortlists—only the most suitable candidates are presented for each role.
A lot of us felt this approach made it easier to build trust, as they are transparent and straightforward when it comes to communication and costs.
Exceptional understanding and proactive support
“The team at Morgan Hunt is great. They have been very proactive in finding me work and understand my needs in terms of the type of assignments that fit around my commitments and experience. I would recommend their agency for their professionalism and the support they provide to their employees. They go over and above when necessary to ensure that I have a positive work experience. A big shout out to Jerin, Trisha, and Josh – thank you for all your support and encouragement.”
Sophia Facey, Google Review
Generous time and personalized advice
“Morgan Hunt have been really supportive with my job search, both in finding relevant roles and helping with CV and interview prep. Particular mention to Amara who’s consistently been generous with her time and advice, and has been personable and professional throughout.”
David Gray, Google Review
4. Robert Half® Recruitment Agency
Address: 10th Floor, The Shard, 32 London Bridge St.
Phone: +44 207 389 6900
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 6 PM
Checking out Robert Half’s recruitment agency really gave us a good impression of how they operate in the bustling heart of London.
Their recruitment service is comprehensive, helping businesses recruit entry-level to senior leadership professionals in a variety of sectors. This includes finance, technology, digital marketing, legal, and human resources.
Moreover, their transparency in communication, especially regarding the costs and recruitment process, is commendable. They even offer specialised support in remote and on-site recruitment!
Another thing that really impressed us was the way they’ve maintained their reputation worldwide—they even appeared on Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies list!
On the flip side, some might find their services to be a bit on the pricier end. Yet, most feedback in our surveys indicate positive experiences, with their recruitment consultants being praised for their professionalism and dedication.
Attentive and supportive consultants
“I only have positive feedback for this agency. All I can say is that I was very well looked after by Nathan, who was my consultant. Not only did he negotiated a good contract for me but he is also attentive to his candidates. He was present throughout my contract, which turrned into a permanent role. I also want to acknowledge Natasha in finance. She is always nice and always makes the time to answer my questions. I really enjoyed Robert Half model and I had a nice experience working with them. I can only recommend.”
Madeleine Bikai, Google Review
Friendly and personalised service
“Hannah was really friendly and super helpful. Frequently checking in to see how things were going and supportive throughout each process. Took the time to understand me and what I was looking for and tried to match me to roles based on this. Also had support from Mary, Nathan and Grace who were great too :)”
5. Tiger Recruitment – West End
Address: 91 Wimpole St.
Phone: +44 207 917 1801
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Initially established in 2001 as an administrative recruitment agency, Tiger began with a focus on Personal Assistant (PA) and secretarial recruitments, plus virtual services.
And we were glad to learn that over the years, they’ve expanded their expertise to include HR, financial, private staff, and technology recruitments.
Given this wide range, though, we weren’t surprised to find their placement fees a bit on the high side. Nonetheless, their consultants’ efficiency and thoroughness put us at ease.
One of the key highlights they mentioned is their certification as a B Corp, which speaks volumes about their commitment to excellence, integrity, and dedication. Moreover, they showed us that their consultants work exclusively with high-calibre individuals.
We were happy with their transparency as well. Throughout the entire process, they keep the lines of communication open so applicants can stay in the loop.
Understanding and effective service
“Tiger – and specifically Annie – were outstanding. This was the first time using a recruitment company and Tiger exceeded my expectations from start to finish. They really understood what I wanted and they helped me get there within a month. Thank you!”
Rachel Innes, Google Review
Proactive and supportive assistance
“Tiger Recruitment were amazing to work with, especially James Milford! James was always quick to send me new opportunities and was easily contactable at all times. I valued his advice greatly when discussing potential roles and immediately felt more relaxed about my job search. 10/10 would recommend Tiger Recruitment!”
Hannah Field, Google Review