Are you aware that there are more than 1,000 recruitment agencies in Singapore vying for top talent in today's job market? With so many options, how do you choose the right agency to work with?
Finding skilled professionals who align with your company culture can be challenging without the necessary resources. If you're looking to enhance your business capabilities or undergoing a transformation, partnering with a reputable recruitment agency for tailored talent solutions is key.
Likewise, as a job seeker, it is essential to find an agency that understands your industry and can connect you with employers in your field of expertise. Working with knowledgeable recruiters ensures they can match you with the right job opportunities.
Regardless of your company's size or skill requirements, these recruitment firms specialise in finding qualified candidates across various industries to meet your specific needs.
In this article, we are going to discuss the following:
- how does a recruitment agency help companies hire the job fit talent?
- how does a recruitment agency help job seekers find a job?
- what type of services do recruitment companies offer?
- factors to consider when choosing a recruiting agency to help you find a job
- randstad overview
- randstad’s specialisations
- what are the top alternatives for randstad?
- where can I find a recruitment agency near me?
how does a recruitment agency help companies hire the job fit talent?
Recruitment agencies are great at finding qualified candidates due to their extensive access to a large pool of candidates, knowledge of expert recruitment consultants and advanced recruitment technology tools. Using these resources and tools, recruitment firms can effectively identify and attract candidates with key skill sets that align with a company's needs.
Singapore has a unique employment landscape with clear and specific local and foreign talent regulations. Recruitment agencies provide resources and support to employers who are hiring talent with niche skills and if required, conduct background checks and apply for employment passes on behalf of some organisations.
HR professionals and hiring managers tend to work with specialised recruiters to find talent with niche skills or to expand their workforce to meet business demands. Recruiters also have ongoing discussions with their clients to understand their skills and experience requirements and the company’s employee benefits and workplace environment to help attract interested talent.
Once a match is found based on the potential candidates' skill sets, job specialisation, experience, qualifications and expectations, the recruiting agency manages the client and candidate throughout the recruitment process to ensure a higher success rate.
This includes a wide range of services such as resume screening, talent screening, interview scheduling, negotiation of job offers and assisting with employee onboarding. A good recruiter understands what it takes to attract quality talent with in-demand skills and maintains effective communication between candidates and employers at all times.
how does a recruitment agency help job seekers find a job?
The Singapore job market is fast-paced and competitive, with hiring timelines varying depending on the role requirements and seniority level. It can take anywhere from a quick 2 weeks to a more extensive 6-month search to find the right talent.
Here's how recruitment agencies can help you navigate the job search process in Singapore:
- Extensive network and top employer access: Recruitment agencies have a well-established network of hiring managers across various industries in Singapore. This gives you access to a wider range of job opportunities that might not be publicly advertised, potentially connecting you with some of the top employers in your field.
- Tailored job matching: Recruitment consultants take the time to understand your skills, experience, and career goals. They can match you with suitable job opportunities that align with your aspirations, increasing your chances of landing a fulfilling role.
- Streamlined application process: Forget spending hours online scrolling through job boards. Recruitment agencies handle the resume submission process for you, ensuring your resume reaches the right hiring managers.
- Salary negotiation expertise: Negotiating salaries can be stressful for some people, as money is a very personal matter. Recruiters can leverage their experience to negotiate a competitive salary package on your behalf, ensuring you receive fair compensation for your skills and experience.
- Time and resource savings: By engaging a recruitment agency for your job search, you save valuable time and effort that would be spent applying to numerous jobs online and managing the logistics of your interview. This allows you to focus on preparing for interviews and showcasing your skills to potential employers.
Partnering with a Singapore recruitment agency can significantly enhance your job search experience. They can connect you with top employers, help you land your dream job, and ultimately contribute to your career success.
what type of services do recruitment companies offer?
All recruitment professionals wish for one final outcome - to place you in a job you like with an employer you want to work for.
It’s likely that you will see the words “top recruitment agency in singapore”, "best recruitment agency singapore", “most trusted recruitment agencies in singapore”, or “top recruiters in singapore” appear whenever you Google for help, which could leave you more confused than before.
Here are some ways to help narrow your choices, so that you can work with a headhunting or employment agency that is aligned with your career interests and expectations.
factors to consider when choosing a recruiting agency to help you find a job:
- does the recruitment firm offer jobs that you’re looking for?
- is the recruiter knowledgeable about your career and industry?
- do they represent the companies that you have a desire to work in?
- are they truly interested and able to help you find a new job?
Not all job recruitment companies are the same. Recruitment agencies vary greatly in their services and processes. For example, they may not cover the industry you work in in your country, even if they do somewhere else. So let’s start by understanding who they are and what type of services they offer to job seekers like you.
randstad overview
Randstad is the world's largest talent company and a partner of choice to clients. Founded in 1960 by Frits Goldschmeding in the Netherlands, Randstad has 4,692 offices and 43,340 corporate employees operating in 39 markets.
As the world’s leading talent company, Randstad builds career-spanning relationships with individuals to help them find fulfilling roles, access diverse opportunities, and flourish. Talent is at the heart of everything Randstad does. Randstad is committed to enhancing their work life quality, actively supporting their skills development, and fostering equity to help them feel more professionally satisfied.
This talent-centric approach means customers get diverse, future-ready talent that’s happy in their work, excels in their role, and seamlessly adapts to evolving business needs. With a focus on specialisation, combined with the best professionals in the industry, a reputation for delivery excellence, powered by data and industry-leading tools, we maintain the largest pool of pre-qualified candidates across a broad range of industries and disciplines worldwide. This allows Randstad to fill diverse roles with in-demand, specialised talent that matches each business’s unique requirements, culture, and work environment.
In Singapore, Randstad has built a strong reputation in the region for its professionalism, integrity and expertise since establishing its office in 1993. They ensure that all candidates are qualified, skilled and experienced, and that their clients are reputable organisations that provide a positive work environment.
As a leading executive search firm in Singapore, Randstad focuses on delivering a good candidate experience and ensuring a perfect job-fit match for job seekers from entry-level to senior management positions across various industries. The firm also connects PMETs (professionals, managers, executives and technicians) with job opportunities in niche markets such as digital marketing, cybersecurity, blockchain, forensic auditing and more.
Besides helping talent find new jobs, the company provides additional support services such as salary advice, career guidance and interview preparation to help candidates succeed in their new roles.
Randstad has established long-term relationships with HR partners from small-and-medium enterprises to multinational organisations. With their deep industry expertise, Randstad's market-leading insights and industry trends report provides essential information about the employment landscape and the world of work today, helping employers craft effective HR strategies and solutions.
With proven track records in addition to numerous accolades and recognitions in its name, Randstad Singapore is a partner for talent. The firm also delivers innovative solutions that can assist employers in achieving their recruitment goals more efficiently and effectively.
Known for being an innovator in the industry, Randstad prides itself as having a strong focus on diversity and inclusion workforce.
The company's focus on delivering quality recruitment solutions, its extensive range of services and its commitment to providing a positive candidate experience have made Randstad one of the top recruitment agencies in Singapore.
HR services
- Specialised permanent and contracting recruitment
- Executive Search
- End-to-end contracting services including payrolling and timesheets
- Talent outsourcing
- Career coaching and redeployment
- HR consulting & total talent workforce management
randstad’s recruitment coverage
Accounting & Finance, Information Technology, Banking & Financial Services, Life Sciences, Sales & Marketing, Construction & Property, Corporate & Secretarial Support, Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Logistics, Human Resources
Website: randstad.com.sg
No. of Markets/Countries: 39
No. of Branches/Offices: 4,692
Google Star Ratings: 4.7
Google Reviews: 1,101
what are the top alternatives for randstad?
This list of alternatives is similar to Randstad in terms of common industry categories and services, but not all are the same. Using this list, you can find a recruitment partner that suits your needs. Let's take a look at how Singapore's recruitment agencies compete in the job market and what they have to offer.
1. adecco group
Adecco is a human resources multinational company that was founded in 1997 and provides staffing and recruitment services. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, it expanded its Asia Pacific footprint when the company set up its operations in Singapore in 1985. Every year they manage to help over 1,400 people get new jobs. The company helps organisations find suitable candidates for various roles, including temporary, contract and positions.
Adecco specialises in providing a wide range of staffing services, including permanent, temporary placement, contract staffing, outsourcing and project-based solutions. The company's focus is on helping employers find the right talent to meet their specific business needs and has a vast network of skilled candidates. Their consulting team works closely with clients to understand their unique requirements and provide customised staffing solutions.
Adecco Singapore offers a range of services, including talent acquisition, career management and outsourcing, to help businesses find the right people for their organisation and to support job seekers in finding the right job for their skills and experience.
services
- Permanent, contracting and temporary recruitment
- Outsourcing solutions
- HR consulting
- Staffing services
- Technology
- Workforce management
adecco’s specialisations
Accounting & Finance, Administration, Banking, Human Resources, Call Centre & Customer Service, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Engineering, Sales & Marketing, Supply Chain, Retail & Events and Information Technology & Telecommunications
Website: adecco.com.sg
No. of Markets/Countries: 62
No. of locations: 3,800
Google Star Ratings: 4.7
Google Reviews: 568
2. hays
Hays is a global specialist recruiting group across 33 countries that offers a wide range of employment services including HR solutions, training, market and salary data. It was founded in 1968 as the Career Care Group and was acquired by Hays PLC in 1986.
In Singapore, the company provides recruitment services for both permanent and temporary roles across a range of industries, including accounting and finance, construction and property and IT. Besides career insights and job search & interview tips, Hays offer annual market-rate salaries and hot jobs guides for job seekers to benchmark their salaries.
Hays is committed to delivering excellent customer service and helping businesses build their workforce and achieve their goals. The company has a team of experienced recruiters who use their extensive knowledge of the local job market and industry-specific skills to help employers find the right talent for their organisations.
services
- Permanent recruitment
- Flexible recruitment
- Talent solutions
hays’ specialisations
Accounting & Finance, Architecture, Audit, Risk & Compliance, Banking & Financial Services, Construction, Contact Centres, Executive, Technology, Engineering, Human Resources, Office Professionals, Supply Chain, Legal, Insurance, Life Sciences
Website: hays.com.sg
No. of Markets/Countries: 33
No. of Branches/Offices: 253
Google Star Ratings: 3.7
Google Reviews: 53
3. manpower
With a market presence in more than 60 countries, Manpower is a global leader in contingent and permanent staffing over the past 70 years. The ManpowerGroup consists of Manpower, Experis and Talent Solutions.
As an employment agency, Manpower helps job seekers find temporary, permanent and contract jobs. The company offers a range of job opportunities across various industries, including finance, manufacturing and technology.
For businesses, Manpower provides staffing solutions, such as temporary staffing, permanent placement and managed services. The company helps businesses find the right talent to meet their needs and provides support throughout the hiring process, from sourcing candidates to onboarding new employees.
In addition to traditional employment services, Manpower offers HR solutions in talent management, workforce development and outsourcing in Singapore.
services
- Permanent, temporary & contract recruitment
- Payroll Outsourcing
- Events Recruitment
- Outsourcing
- HR Consultancy
manpower’s specialisations
Information & Communications Technology, Sales & Marketing, HR & Admin, Customer Services & Hospitality, Accounting & Finance
Website: manpower.com.sg
No. of Markets/Countries: 66
Google Star Ratings: 4.6
Google Reviews: 176
4. michael page
Michael Page was first established in 1976 in London and later expanded its Asia footprint in 1994. It is part of the PageGroup that consists of 4 key brands - Michael Page, Page Personnel, Page Executive and Page Outsourcing - each offering different recruitment services.
In Singapore, Michael Page provides recruitment services across a range of industries, including banking and financial services, technology, healthcare, retail. Michael Page provides permanent as well as interim and contract recruitment services to help organisations find staff to meet their workforce needs.
The company offers various services to help their clients find the right talent, from executive search to job advertising; outsourcing to payroll services. They work with a range of clients, including SMEs and multinational companies to help them find the right talent for their organisations.
services
- Permanent and contract recruitment
- Executive search
michael page’s specialisations
Banking & Financial Services, Construction, Digital, Engineering & Manufacturing, Finance & Accounting, Healthcare, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal, Marketing, Procurement & Supply Chain, Property
Website: michaelpage.com.sg
No. of Markets/Countries: 36
No. of Branches/Offices: 140
Google Star Ratings: 4.8
Google Reviews: 498
5. persolkelly
PERSOLKELLY is a global staffing company that provides workforce solutions in a wide variety of industries, like IT, engineering, finance and marketing. The company was founded in 1946 and originally named the Russell Kelly Office Service.
PERSOLKELLY matches job seekers with employers through temporary, temp-to-perm and direct placement services. The company’s focus is on helping employers find the right talent quickly and efficiently while also assisting job seekers in finding the right job opportunity and providing candidate tips for interviews.
PERSOLKELLY has a large pool of skilled and qualified candidates from entry-level to senior-level professionals that match with employers based on their specific needs and requirements.
The company was formed in 2016 when Kelly Services entered a joint venture with PERSOL Holdings (previously Temp Holdings) to meet employment needs in the Asia Pacific region.
services
- Permanent recruitment
- Temporary and contract staffing
- Payroll solutions
- Human resources advisory
- Regional talent solutions
persolkelly’s specialisations
Accounting, Banking & Finance, Contact Centre, Engineering & Technical, Exhibition & Promotions, Human Resources, Information Technology, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Receptionist & Concierge, Procurement & Supply Chain, Sales & Marketing
Website: persolkelly.com.sg
No. of Markets/Countries: 13
No. of Branches/Offices: 45
Google Star Ratings: 3.2
Google Reviews: 125
6. robert half
Not to be confused with Robert Walters, Robert Half was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Menlo Park, California and has since expanded to more than 300 locations around the world, including Singapore.
Robert Half is a global staffing firm that provides employment and staffing solutions to businesses and job seekers. The biggest specialised financial recruitment company in the world, Robert Half, was the first to offer banking, finance and accounting professionals job placement services.
As an employment agency in Singapore, Robert Half provides a range of recruitment services, including temporary and permanent staffing, project consulting services and executive search. They have a good reputation in the industry for placing highly skilled and qualified professionals in finance, accounting, technology and administrative and executive positions.
The company's services are designed to meet the specific needs of each client, from start-ups to multinational companies. They take a consultative approach to recruitment, understanding the needs and goals of their clients, as well as the experiences of job seekers, qualifications and their career aspirations.
services
- Permanent, contract or project-based recruitment
- Executive search
- Project consulting
robert half’s specialisations
Financial Services, Accounting & Finance, Technology
Website: roberthalf.com.sg
No. of Markets/Countries: 19
No. of Branches/Offices: 313
Google Star Ratings: 4.8
Google Reviews: 124
7. robert walters
Robert Walters was first established in 1985 in London and they are now present in 31 markets. Robert Walters is a specialist professional recruitment consultancy and the core brand of the Robert Walters Group which consists of Walters People and Resource Solutions which looks over junior professional staffing and recruitment process outsourcing.
Robert Walters' recruitment services in Singapore include executive search, recruitment process outsourcing as well as permanent, contract and interim recruitment across a diverse range of industries.
The company commits to deliver excellent customer service and help businesses build their workforce and achieve their goals. Robert Walters helps provide creative solutions, setting them apart from other recruitment agencies.
services
- Contract Hiring
- Executive Search
- Advertising Solutions
- Talent Mapping
robert walters’ specialisations
Accounting & Finance, Banking & Financial Services, Human Resources, Tech & Transformation, Legal, Marketing & Sales, Secretarial & Business Support, Supply Chain, Procurement & Logistics, Technical Healthcare
Website: robertwalters.com.sg
No. of Markets/Countries: 31
No. of Branches/Offices: -
Google Star Ratings: 4.6
Google Reviews: 154
where can I find a recruitment agency near me?
Looking for a job recruiter in Singapore? There are numerous recruitment agencies to choose from. You can easily connect with one by researching online, seeking recommendations from friends, or applying directly on their official websites.
During your job search, it's common to engage multiple agencies. Stay proactive and optimistic in your approach. Enhance your resume and interview skills to stand out in the competitive job market. When you're prepared, we're here to support you every step of the way.
Note: This article was updated to reflect the publicly available information in July 2024.
