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Top 5 Recruitment Agencies In Manchester

Top 6 Recruitment Agencies in Manchester

How we picked

Reliability: We picked firms based on their amiability and accessibility. They should show genuine interest in you as an individual and your motivations for applying for the position.
Industry expertise: Professional recruitment firms know what employers are looking for and have a firm grasp on the roles they are filling. They have built solid networks in either their chosen field or many others.
Track Records: We picked firms who were willing to discuss their past placements in detail, although they may be legally obligated to withhold specific names. This makes them more trustworthy overall.
Longevity: We considered the agency’s history and the recruiter’s tenure as well. We chose those who have formed long-term, established connections with employers and accounted for their turnover rate.

1. Berkeley Scott

Berkeley Scott's Homepage

Services: Recruiting, Staffing, Back Office Outsourcing

Website: https://www.berkeley-scott.co.uk/

Address: Ground Floor, Arkwright House, Parsonage Gardens, Manchester M3 2HP, United Kingdom

Contact Details: +44 161 233 5890

Operating Hours: Mondays to Fridays 7 AM – 6 PM

Clutch.co Rating4.3 / 5
Google Reviews4.5 / 5
Score consistency4.5 / 5
Total reviews4.5 / 5
Reliability4.5 / 5
Responsiveness4.5 / 5
Professionalism4.5 / 5
Accessibility4.5 / 5
Industry expertise4.5 / 5
Track Records4.5 / 5
Longevity4.5 / 5

Pros

  • Great option for those in the hospitality field
  • Over 30 years of industry experience
  • Great track records
  • Solid client connections
  • The application process is straightforward

Cons

  • Focused on the hospitality industry
  • Has a lot of competitive applicants on their roster

Berkeley Scott focuses on locating qualified individuals to fill open positions in the hospitality industry.

What impressed us the most is their 30 years of business, length of experience, and depth of knowledge in placing top people with household names, small companies, and independents. 

We were particularly pleased by their 30 years in the industry, breadth of expertise, and understanding of matching top talents around the UK. They are partnered with Fortune 500 organizations, ranging from mid-sized businesses, and sole proprietorships.

In addition, the Berkeley Scott team can help customers and candidates all over the United Kingdom because they have many offices in different parts of the country.

What impressed us initially were the opportunities that they provided. Based on the clients we’ve talked to, Berkeley Scott offers a wide range of full-time, part-time, long-term, and short-term employment.

The possibilities they offered really amazed us. From what we have gathered from our conversations with customers, Berkeley Scott provides a wide variety of employment opportunities, including both permanent and temporary positions.

The way we see it, this makes them an ideal choice for those looking for temporary employment – even students, in the hospitality industry.

Clients have also said that Berkley Scott has excellent employee benefits and pay packages. We think that this is a great way to maintain loyalty among their employees.

What we’re a bit iffy about is their varying policies with travel and work equipment. Many clients we’ve talked to claimed that some employers will not reimburse travel expenses and uniforms.

In our opinion, this can be a significant drawback for those who don’t have the extra budget to get started.

Given this, we still highly recommend Berkeley Scott for their overall service. We think they are a viable option for those who want to start and continue their career within the hospitality industry.

2. Spring Technology

Spring Technology's Homepage

Services: Recruiting, Staffing, Back Office Outsourcing

Website: https://www.spring.com/

Address: 55 Spring Gardens, W Mosley St, Manchester M2 2BY, United Kingdom

Contact Details: +44 161 233 1240

Operating Hours: Mondays to Fridays 8 AM – 530 PM

Clutch.co Rating4 / 5
Google Reviews3.7 / 5
Score consistency4 / 5
Total reviews4 / 5
Reliability4 / 5
Responsiveness4 / 5
Professionalism4 / 5
Accessibility4 / 5
Industry expertise4.5 / 5
Track Records4.5 / 5
Longevity4 / 5

Pros

  • Good for those in the IT Field
  • Solid client base
  • Wide range of positions offered

Cons

  • Lengthy application process
  • Lots of competitive candidates

Being the leading technology staffing service in the United Kingdom, Spring Technology is noteworthy since it has quickly risen to the top of the international IT recruiting industry.

We discovered that they work with more than 400 businesses yearly, placing more than 12,000 people in contract and permanent jobs–amazing numbers, right?

What further impressed us was that Spring Technology has developed specialised technology practices in response to the market’s demand for high-quality, well-matched individuals.

Their streamlined process lets them hire people from all areas of IT and keep in touch with the best people in the field.

In addition, after speaking with some of their clients, we were more impressed to find that they also have a solid client base. This makes them a very trustworthy option for those looking to start their career in the IT field.

Although, one thing potential applicants should know about them is that they do have a lengthy application process. From our surveys, the timeframe for their application process can take up to two to three weeks between interviews.

We think this can be a deal-breaker for those needing to secure employment as soon as possible.

Despite these findings, the overwhelmingly positive feedback about their work culture keeps us positive about them.

Overall, we think being with an agency promoting a healthy work culture, like Spring Technology,is a notable option in our books!

3. Orchard Recruitment

Orchard Recruitment's Homepage

Services: Recruiting, Staffing, Back Office Outsourcing, HR Services

Website: https://www.orchard.co.uk/

Address: 10 Floor, 3 Hardman St, Manchester M3 3HF, United Kingdom

Contact Details: +44 161 464 8921

Operating Hours:  Mondays to Fridays 9 AM – 530 PM

Clutch.co Rating4 / 5
Google Reviews3.5 / 5
Score consistency4 / 5
Total reviews4 / 5
Reliability4.5 / 5
Responsiveness4.5 / 5
Professionalism4.5 / 5
Accessibility4.5 / 5
Industry expertise4.5 / 5
Track Records4.5 / 5
Longevity4.5 / 5

Pros

  • Focused in the creatives field
  • Wide range of clients and companies
  • Smooth application process

Cons

  • Positions may be limited
  • Applications may take a while to process

Next on our list is Orchard, which has been in business for over 25 years as a recruiting service specialising in the Creative, Digital, and Marketing industries.

We think it’s impressive that Orchard has been well recognized within Manchester, the North West, and Yorkshire as a go-to creative recruiter. From our research, our team discovered this because of their extensive experience and dedication to the field.

It’s worth noting that, as a result of their extensive network and standing in the market, they’re usually given first dibs on some of the most coveted job openings in their field.

We’re further impressed to find that many of their recruiters have worked in the business before, so they know the ins and outs of it.

Furthermore, we like that Orchard’s recruiters value the connections they build with clients and candidates. We’ve seen that they devote significant time to learning about both parties to help search for the ideal position and applicant.

On the downside, we’ve found that most of their employees claim that the workload can be demanding. This must be due to them being Manchester’s most sought-after creative agency.

Understandably, most of the work in the creative field can be quite demanding, leading to more employees seeking better work-life balance.

But, what kept us positive about them is that even though clients can be demanding, Orchard recruitment constantly pushes for a healthy work culture to make up for the demanding workload.

This means offering great employee packages and consistent employee engagement events and activities, which we like!

Ultimately, given its reputation and company culture, we think Orchard Recruitment is an excellent choice for those who want to focus on being in the creative industry.

4. Celsian Education

Celsian Education's Homepage

Services: Recruiting, Staffing, Back Office Outsourcing, Training

Website: https://www.careerteachers.co.uk/

Address: 8th Floor, Bloc, 17 Marble St, Manchester M2 3AW, United Kingdom

Contact Details: +44 161 839 8005

Operating Hours:  Mondays to Fridays 7 AM – 530 PM

Clutch.co Rating4.5 / 5
Google Reviews4.9 / 5
Score consistency4.5 / 5 
Total reviews4.5 / 5
Reliability4.5 / 5
Responsiveness4.5 / 5
Professionalism4.5 / 5
Accessibility4.5 / 5
Industry expertise4.5 / 5
Track Records4.5 / 5
Longevity4.5 / 5

Pros

  • Good for those in the educational field
  • Offers great employment bonuses
  • Offers long-term assignment opportunities

Cons

  • Lengthy application and placement process
  • Only offers local placements

Since its founding in 1993, Celsian Education has been successfully matching qualified educators with outstanding educational institutions.

We think it’s noteworthy that, since then, it has expanded significantly and employs various highly qualified experts within the educational field.

Furthermore, we were impressed to find that they provide temporary, contract, and permanent opportunities at all levels and types of education and assistance.

Notably, the Department for Education Quality Mark was presented to them in 2002, making them one of the first organisations to receive this honour!

It would be an understatement to say that Celsian Education’s credentials in the field are impressive. Based on our client interviews, most of the feedback praised their remarkable placement process and solid client base.

The way we see it, being in the education field is quite daunting, especially after the pandemic hit. We’re happy to find that Celsian Education makes it easier for teachers, mentors, and the like to find the best job positions for them.

Even so, we can’t help but mention it here. Despite all the positive raves about how good this company is, we still recommend researching the organisation you’ll be assigned to.

One client we’ve spoken with, in particular, mentioned that they were assigned to a stringent organisation, which made their stay quite unpleasant.

This is not to say that Celsian Education is to blame. However, it’s good to keep in mind that not all clients are the same.

Having said that, we think Celsian Education still deserves a solid spot on our list for anyone who is in the educational field and is looking for great opportunities within their field!

5. Lily Shippen

Services: HR Jobs London, HR Jobs Manchester, Personal Assistant Jobs, Executive Assistant Jobs, and Secretarial Jobs

Website: https://lilyshippen.co.uk/

Address: Manchester, United Kingdom

Contact Details: 0161 711 0767

Operating Hours: Mondays to Fridays 8 AM – 5 PM

Google Reviews4.9 / 5
Score consistency5 / 5 
Total reviews4.9 / 5
Reliability5/5
Responsiveness5/5
Professionalism5/5
Accessibility5/5
Industry expertise5/5
Track Records5/5
Longevity5/5

Pros

  • Exceptional candidate quality
  • Efficient and speedy recruitment
  • Cost-effective services
  • Personable and witty approach

Cons

  • Busy during peak days

Our experience with Lily Shippen, the recruitment agency, has been nothing short of impressive. When it comes to services, efficiency, quality, and cost, they have shown exceptional prowess in the realm of talent acquisition.

In terms of services, Lily Shippen has a robust and diversified offering. Their commitment to understanding our unique needs and providing tailored solutions is truly commendable. They do more than just filling vacancies; they partner with you to find the perfect fit for your organization.

Efficiency is the name of the game, and Lily Shippen plays it exceptionally well. We were pleasantly surprised by the speed at which they identified top-notch candidates. It’s as if they have a sixth sense for spotting talent in the vast sea of resumes.

The quality of candidates presented by Lily Shippen is a testament to their dedication. Each candidate we interviewed was not only highly qualified but also seemed to align seamlessly with our company culture. This agency clearly values quality over quantity.

Lily Shippen doesn’t just offer top-tier services; they do it without breaking the bank. Their pricing structure is competitive, and the return on investment in terms of hiring the right people is immeasurable.

One cannot overlook the witty and personable approach they bring to an otherwise mundane process. It’s refreshing to work with a recruitment agency that adds a touch of humor and personality to their dealings.

However, they don’t offer promos yet. We advise checking their website for other affordable deals.

BCL Legal's Homepage

Services: Recruiting, Staffing, Back Office Outsourcing, Training

Website: https://www.bcllegal.com/

Address: 3rd Floor, Lancaster Buildings, 77 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BW, United Kingdom

Contact Details: +44 161 819 7475

Operating Hours: Mondays to Fridays 9 AM – 530 PM

Clutch.co Rating4 / 5
Google Reviews4 / 5
Score consistency4 / 5
Total reviews4 / 5
Reliability4.5 / 5
Responsiveness4.5 / 5
Professionalism4.5 / 5
Accessibility4 / 5
Industry expertise4 / 5
Track Records4.5 / 5
Longevity5 / 5

Pros

  • Focused on the legal field
  • Offers training courses
  • Known for its advocacy in diversity and inclusivity
  • Flexible working arrangements

Cons

  • Application process can be tedious
  • Lack of career growth opportunities

BCL Legal is a permanent and temporary legal recruiting service. They place candidates at all levels of the legal profession, from paralegal to partner, in firms, corporations, and government agencies.

The founders of BCL recognized that the company’s future success would depend on its ability to attract and retain talented individuals who thrive in collaborative settings—something notable in our books!

With this in mind, BCL Legal, which began in Manchester, has now spread to other cities within the UK. What further impressed us, is seeing their continued growth across a multitude of client bases.

Based on our first-hand experience, each of their departments specialises in a different market, and their regional offices have experts in all of them.

We also like that BCL Legal assists in defining and organising your job search needs and professional goals, whether you are a new lawyer, paralegal, or partner in the legal industry.

On the downside, given all of the excellence that surrounds them, one thing that job seekers should keep in mind is their tedious hiring process. 

But we think this is understandable! With the great reputation that BCL Legal boasts, they ensure to hire only the best candidates for the roles they offer.

For us, this means that the competition may be rigorous depending on the position and client that you’ll be assigned to.

After considering that, it’s still good to know that BCL Legal is a fantastic place to work, and more than half of its staff uses alternative work schedules.

How should I get ready for an interview with a staffing firm?

1. Be prepared

As was alluded to up top, many recruiters consider this one of the most crucial parts of being ready for an interview, so read up on the firm you will be meeting with. You’ll be pleased you did if you get a question regarding the company itself.
While your interviewer likely knows you’ll be worried, giving off a confident impression will help your chances of getting the job. Remember that the interviewer will be able to infer information about you from how you dress.

2. Turn your weaknesses into your strengths

The age-old “what are your weaknesses?” interview questions always elicit inappropriate responses. While discussing your flaws in the interview may go against your better judgement, there is a subtle art to providing this answer that will impress your interviewer. If you pull it off, they will be impressed.

3. Bring your own questions

The interview is more than a series of questions regarding your qualifications for the position. It’s a win-win since you get to learn more about the company, and they get to know more about you.
While some of your inquiries may be answered throughout the interview, it is always a good idea to come prepared with a few more questions to ask at the conclusion.
Some of the best are “How do you define the culture here?” and “How do you assess success in this role?” not to include, “What’s your favourite part about working at this company?

4. Take the time to dress up for Skype interviews

If you have a Skype interview scheduled, you should treat it as seriously as a face-to-face meeting.

FAQs about Recruitment Agencies in Manchester

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