If you’re looking for a job in London then there’s a fair chance that you will be dealing with recruitment agencies at some point – and it can be difficult to pick the right one from the innumerable companies out there.
London’s recruitment agencies are largely spread across the north of the Thames, with clusters in areas where future employment growth is expected.
London City Recruitment Tips
If you are planning to look for work through a recruitment agency, it’s much more productive to carefully choose a few good ones. Signing up for every one you come across can be unwieldy; keeping a select few will allow you to keep focus and build a closer relationship with the consultants. When job hunting, it’s always best communicate – let people know that you’re looking, and don’t be afraid to ask for advice.
When looking for recruitment agencies it’s important that you take advantage of other peoples’ know-how, as it can often be difficult to find worthwhile reviews. Similarly, by keeping your details up to date, you can support your application using online tools such as LinkedIn; get involved as a voice within community groups, add and make contacts, and again, keep your details up to date.
Most people have been a job-hunter at some point, so build on this wealthy free resource by talking to other people and asking for their recommendations on the best London city recruitment agencies. Whilst the ability to gain employment is of course down to the individual, recruitment agencies are great for locating overlooked jobs in smaller companies. On a more personal level the best recruitment agencies will ideally help, coach and encourage their recruits towards better presentation, furthering their strengths and helping them towards an ideal job.
Remember, most people have been through the job-hunting process at some point. Don’t be afraid to ask them about their experiences and their recommendations on the finding the best recruitment agencies in London. Of course, recruitment agencies are not going to guarantee you employment, and it still comes down to the individual when companies are looking to recruit. That said however, recruitment agencies can be very useful, especially when it comes to locating overlooked jobs in small companies. The best agencies will also help and encourage their recruits, as well as coaching them in improving their presentation, growing in their strongest areas and setting them in better stead to be hired for their ideal job.
Naturally, not all of the recruitment agencies in London provide this level of service. In an attempt to help you narrow down your search, we’ve put together a list (below) of the top agencies for a number of job sectors in the vibrant commercial hub of London, for recruits and recruiters alike. On visiting you can expect a more personal attitude, catering to those looking for what may be their first job – with a number of more specific recruitment agencies operating solely for graduates – or one long into an established career.
Best Recruitment Agencies
If you’re looking for secretarial and office-based work we recommend the boutique Attic Recruitment located on Margaret Street, near Cavendish Square. Attic provides work from banking and finance, to publishing, property and film from the City to the West End. Their diverse portfolio and tailored approach that focuses on honest character-matching is a necessary and appealing touch.
In a similar vein, those look for office and administration work should try Sue Hill, which focuses on the City’s information sector. There are a variety of roles, including specialist roles such as researchers, archivists, ethnometricians, analysts, and librarians, helping job-seekers find their appropriate niches. Sue Hill Recruitment is a short walk away from some London Serviced Offices at No. 1 Cornhill, directly across London Bridge.
For buying, selling and/or retail, Albany Appointments Ltd prides itself on its role as London’s most established recruitment specialist for conferences, exhibitions and events. After 25 years of recruiting, it still celebrates taking the time to understand business needs, with a focus on cultural fit and time for individuals.
For those looking teaching positions, we recommend Career Teachers. Ranging from the very earliest years of education to secondary schools, and with part-time or daily employment, Career Teachers not only helps place teachers but also offers CV and interview help alongside training, advice, and a real support network which provides help with accommodation and social events.
Lipton Flemming is our choice for media industry types from any background, be it creative, the technical side, research or account management. They cater for those interested in traditional or new media, and have a variety of roles available with a number of well-known brands – and it’s all done with attentive effort and care. Lipton Flemming’s offices are conveniently located near the West End – ideal if you’re working in the area or just visiting.
When it comes to specialist science and clinical-based work, take a look at Affinity Recruit. Over the last ten years they’ve used their expertise to place candidates in a huge range of roles, with a focus on every aspect of clinical, diagnostics, forensics and chemical work. The company is based in Norwich, but many of their recruiters are to be found in the City of London.
The University of London provides a fantastic online booklet with a comprehensive further guide to each sector’s top recruiters in the City.
If you’ve worked with a particularly brilliant recruitment agency, we recommend helping out others and recommending them on review sites such as Qype or Yelp, as great recruitment agencies can be hard to come by – and even harder to find are reviews.
