Unlock your career potential with the 5 best employment agencies in Birmingham
There’s something really satisfying about finally treating yourself to those things you’ve been eyeing, all thanks to the money you’ve earned from your job. But if you’ve been struggling to land a job recently, don’t stress—there’s no shame in asking for a little help.
Fortunately, Birmingham has no shortage of employment agencies that can give your career the lift it needs. My team and I did some digging to see exactly what these agencies have to offer.
Want to know what we found out? Keep reading!
| How much do employment agency fees in Birmingham? Employment agency fees in Birmingham range from 10% to 25% of the employee’s annual salary for temporary roles and 10% to 20% of the candidate’s first-year salary for permanent placements. The fees vary depending on the agency and the job type. |
1. Reed Recruitment Agency
Address: 3rd Floor, 1 Colmore Row
Phone: +44 121 237 2620
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
My team and I were impressed with Reed Recruitment Agency’s focus on 20 sectors, including property, IT, and finance. This focus gives them a solid grasp of specialised roles, setting them apart from general agencies.
From what we’ve heard, they’re also flexible in the types of roles they offer—permanent, temporary, or interim. They can handle larger recruitment projects and offer screening services to help employers find the right fit more efficiently.
One thing that clients have mentioned is Reed’s personalised approach. They really take the time to get to know their clients’ company culture and specific hiring needs, which helps create recruitment strategies that seem to hit the mark.
They also use tech to streamline the process, letting employers post jobs and browse CVs online, which speeds things up.
However, there are a few areas where Reed could improve. Some clients have pointed out that there’s a lack of follow-through after the initial contact. Candidates often don’t hear back after applying for positions or even after their first conversation with recruiters.
Had a great experience with them
“Chris contacted me about an opportunity, was the most proactive recruiter I’ve ever met, asking questions, keeping me in the loop and sorting everything out. Great guy, great experience, managed to secure the role and still asks how everything is going. Chris will always help if he can and I’d recommend him and the agency to anyone.”
Ben Tripton, Google review
Immensely satisfied with the outstanding service they’ve provided
“I am immensely satisfied with the outstanding service provided by Jamie. From our initial consultation to the final job offer and beyond, Jamie’s expertise and dedication and care were evident at every stage. Jamie took the time to deeply understand my career objectives and aspirations, ensuring a precise and thoughtful match with opportunities that not only aligned with my skills but also advanced my professional goals. Her strategic insight, prompt communication, and unwavering support throughout the recruitment process were truly exemplary. I highly recommend Jamie’s services to anyone seeking a tailored and effective approach to career advancement.”
Adrian Polak, Google review
2. Tradewind Recruitment
Address: 205, 2nd Floor, Suite 203, 18-19 Bennetts Hill
Phone: +44 121 643 3505
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
If you’re looking for an agency that focuses on education, Tradewind Recruitment is worth checking out. They specialise in matching teachers and support staff with schools, nurseries, and colleges in the West Midlands.
One thing we found pretty cool is their free award-winning Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for educators. They actually invest in their candidates’ growth, so schools get well-trained staff.
Plus, a lot of candidates we talked to appreciate the extra interview support and guidance Tradewind offers.
On the flip side, some people have pointed out that the work hours can be unpredictable. A few employees mentioned having periods with minimal hours and uncertain job placements, which led to financial instability.
Additionally, since their focus is specifically on education, the range of work they offer is more limited.
Their support and professionalism made my entire experience stress-free
“Emma made the registration process incredibly smooth and efficient. The service was fast, and the steps were easy to complete. Anytime I had a question or encountered an issue, she responded immediately, ensuring everything was resolved quickly. Her support and professionalism made the entire experience stress-free.”
Umar Sohail, Google review
They are all so professional, attentive and friendly!
“Tradewind is the best agency I have worked with. They are all so professional, attentive and friendly! My consultant has been Ashleigh from the start who always goes above and beyond for me. Any issues I have had have been dealt with in the best way possible. She always accommodates to my needs and the communication is excellent. Would deffo recommend Tradewind to anyone as their vetting process is so easy and quick as well as amazing consultants who do their best to find you work.”
Mariam Arzoo, Google review
3. Try Temps Limited
Address: 3 Steyning Rd
Phone: +44 121 693 3311
Business hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 7 AM – 4 PM
- Friday: 7 AM – 1:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Try Temps Limited really shines as an employment agency, especially with its focus on engineering and manufacturing. By zeroing in on these areas, they’ve got a real grasp on what these industries need, ensuring businesses get candidates who fit the bill.
We also like their smart recruitment model. They only charge businesses when they successfully place someone, so there’s less risk on the hiring side.
Some of the job seekers we spoke to also praised their communication, saying they were always kept updated on the status of their applications.
That said, we’ve spoken to a few clients who mentioned some inconsistencies with job listings. A few candidates felt let down when the roles they applied for turned out to be a bit different from what was advertised, which has caused some trust issues.
I couldn’t recommend them enough
“I was in contact with Rob from Trytemps for years and received great service. They accommodated my education schedule, and I also gained two permanent contracts through the agency. I couldn’t recommend them enough.”
Michael Power, Google review
No words to express how professional and helpful this group of people are
“Try temps where to start on the company the people there’s no words to express how professional how helpful how friendly caring this group of people are I worked through this agency for 9 months and no matter what I needed if it was holidays or advice support it was there. Wages were always on time they were never wrong. I can’t thank Robert and his team at try temps enough for what they have done for me and my family. I highly recommend using try temps to better your future.”
Andrew Crilly, Google review
4. Office Angels
Address: Part 5th Floor Livery Place, 35 Livery St
Phone: +44 121 633 4999
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
One thing that really caught our attention about Office Angels is their specialised divisions, like OA Executive. This division focuses on senior roles and specialist hires, so if a business has a specific need, they’ve got it covered.
We also loved hearing that they offer such a range of staffing solutions. They help build teams for short-term projects, fill full-time positions, and secure long-term contracts.
Their team really knows the Birmingham job market inside and out, which means they can match the right candidates with employers in a pretty spot-on way.
And from what we’ve heard, candidates appreciate the personal touch. It’s clear they care about building solid relationships.
That said, there have been a few complaints. Some candidates mentioned that they applied for positions that were already filled, but the job was still listed on job boards.
My experience with Office Angels was absolutely fantastic!
“My experience with Office Angels was absolutely fantastic! This is the first time I have gone out of my way to leave a review about any company, because I just had to express about how completely amazing they are. Catherine Gould, specifically, is the agent I worked with and she is an absolute angel! Super professional and supportive.She made me feel like getting a job was her priority. I will highly recommend this company to anyone job searching.”
Evelyn Akpan, Google review
I can’t thank them enough for all the help and support they have given me
“Natalie from Office Angels helped me get my new job. I had not applied for the role but Natalie was able to see that the role was suitable for my experience and contacted me. She explained the role, arranged for interviews, and has been very helpful whenever I had questions. She always made sure that I was clear in the processes and kept me updated between the interviews and also helped me start my new job. I can’t thank Natalie enough for all the help and support she has given me. She is very approachable and made me feel comfortable right from first call till I joined my job. She is an asset to the company. Thank you Natalie and keep up the good work”
Kala Saravanan, Google review
5. Balfor Recruitment Group
Address: 3 Brindley Pl
Phone: +44 121 260 0000
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Balfor Recruitment Group really shines by focusing on specific sectors like education, healthcare, and technology. This helps them build solid expertise and networks in those fields, making connecting candidates with the right opportunities easier.
When we visited their office, we couldn’t help but notice how supportive the work environment is.
We got the chance to chat with a few employees, and it was clear that the company invests in its staff. That’s a green flag, especially since it shows they might be just as invested in their candidates.
We also learned that Balfor offers a range of staffing solutions, from temporary to permanent roles across public, private, and non-profit sectors. This flexibility really sets them apart from other agencies that tend to focus on just one type of placement.
On the flip side, some clients shared frustrations about communication as they didn’t respond to emails. One candidate told us it took six months to complete their file, which definitely left them disappointed.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Balfor if you are looking for work
“I contacted Balfor with regard to finding work and was put in touch with Aimee, who couldn’t have been more helpful. She was warm, knowledgeable and immediately put me at my ease. Nothing was too much trouble and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her and Balfor if you are looking for work!”
Adele McKinnell, Google review
Top quality agency that really makes you feel valued and respected
“Top quality agency that really makes you feel valued and respected. Will has been very helpful in placing me into a role that suits my talents, interests and future aspirations. He’s always on hand for any issues I have and is a top class professional, willing to go above and beyond for his job and for yours. Best agency I’ve used.”
James Greaney, Google review