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Best International Recruitment Agencies
- Horizons – Best international recruitment agency
- Randstad – Best for large enterprises
- ManpowerGroup – Best for equity and inclusion
- Toptal – Best for sourcing freelancers
- Robert Half International – Best for finance and accounting
- Adecco Group – Best for startups
- Kelly Services – Best for small businesses
- LaSalle Network – Best for company culture
- Lucas Group – Best for company fit
- Aerotek – Best for engineering
- Remote – Best for Remote Recruitment
- EliteRecruitments — Best for AI/ML Recruitment
VERDICT: Based on my HR and recruitment industry experience, I have evaluated 67 recruitment agencies to come up with this final top twelve. At the number 1 spot is Horizons, with a 9.6/10 rating. Horizons stands apart from other recruitment agencies through genuine local expertise and truly global coverage.
As every company knows, good talent is getting harder to find. Good hiring managers recognize competition in the job market when sourcing new talent. That’s why now, more than ever, it’s crucial to outsource recruitment and work with a reputable agency.
Based on my experience in the industry, I make it easy for you to find the right global recruitment agency. After reviewing 67 international recruitment companies, here is my breakdown of the top 12.
Analysis of the 12 Best International Recruitment Agencies
Every business has a unique suite of hiring needs, so the right agency for one company may differ from the right agency for another. With that in mind, we’ve broken down the top 12 international recruitment agencies so that you can decide what is best for you. Let’s dive in!
Best International Recruitment Agency
Horizons
Key Features
Horizons is renowned for its strategic approach to international talent acquisition, specializing in connecting companies with exceptional candidates worldwide. Their experienced team of global headhunters employs innovative sourcing techniques to match the right talent to diverse organizational needs.
As a one-stop solution for 360-degree recruitment services, Horizons streamlines the hiring process, saving businesses time and effort in finding the perfect fit.
Horizons is one of the few international recruitment agencies I evaluated that also provides a complete Employer of Record solution to hire staff overseas compliantly.
Pros
- Rapid recruitment in 180+ countries and territories around the world.
- Additional HR solutions, including visa support, Professional Employer Organization services and EOR.
- All recruitment verticals, from small businesses to enterprise, from admin to Executive head-hunting, Horizons has you covered.
Cons
- Does not currently list the pricing for its recruitment services.
Our verdict
Horizons operates with the conviction that every business deserves the ideal team and every professional deserves a fulfilling career. This principle drives their commitment to bridging the gap between talented individuals and organizations around the globe.
With a focus on efficiency and ethical practices, Horizons stands out as a preferred choice for companies seeking to expand their workforce globally and to do so in a manner that respects diverse talents and cultures.
As one of the few international recruitment agencies with coverage in 180+ countries, Horizons is my pick for the No. 1 International Recruitment Agency.
Best for Large Enterprises
Randstad
Key features
A leader in the global recruitment agency space, Randstad has over 60 years of experience under its belt. They offer in-house HR management, staffing, administrative tasks, and digital services that can help automate tedious manual tasks related to HR and staffing. In 2021 alone, Randstad helped clients secure over 276,100 permanent placements.
Pros
- Access to a global network of candidates with Randstad having offices and partners in most countries around the world.
- 24/7 customer support, dealing with any issues as they arise.
- Depth and breadth of additional services, including staffing and managed support services.
Cons
- A costly option for smaller businesses.
- Minimum project size of $1,000.
Our verdict
Randstad has a lot to offer in terms of permanent placements, especially for larger companies in industries like IT, manufacturing, retail, and medical. Their full-service model can help businesses automate plenty of hiring-related tasks, meaning that they offer a robust value proposition. No matter what you’re looking for, Randstad can likely provide it.
Best for Equity and Inclusion
ManpowerGroup
Key Features
With a strong international presence, Manpower has provided staffing and recruitment services for clients and candidates in over 75 countries. Its client list includes over 14,000 small to midsize companies, and it’s been recognized for its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts that play into its work. With over 70 years of experience, it’s a surefire choice.
Pros
- Equity and Inclusion, with a strong commitment to minimizing bias in hiring.
- Renowned global presence with wide-reaching connections.
- Wide coverage serving both large and small businesses.
Cons
- Larger company, so some have expressed concerns about customer service.
- Vast range of prices between services
Our verdict
Guided by the belief that there’s a person for every role (and a role for every person), Manpower is committed to finding the right match for each of its candidates and clients. Its civically oriented mindset makes it an excellent option for those looking to do good in the world while still prioritizing effective recruitment process outsourcing.
Best for Sourcing Freelancers
Toptal
Key features
Toptal’s distinguishing feature is its focus on freelancers – but while many of the most common freelance marketplaces are overwhelming and overcrowded, Toptal only accepts the top 3% of candidates into its freelancer pool. Plus, you’ll be able to try a candidate before hiring them.
I was especially impressed by Toptal’s trial-to-hire success rate — a massive 98%.
Pros
- Try-before-you-hire eliminating the risk of a poor hire.
- Talent access with an excellent pool of highly vetted talent.
- Quick turnaround, with average match time under 24 hours.
- Experts in many in-demand industries.
Cons
- Tends to be a pricier option.
- Catered toward freelance hires rather than permanent placements.
Our verdict
If you’re looking for an expert freelancer in popular verticals like development, design, and finance, Toptal is a great place to turn. Their quick turnaround time and option to try a candidate before hiring them makes Toptal an attractive option in an otherwise messy freelance world. However, be prepared to pay a hefty price tag to access their services.
Best for Finance and Accounting
Robert Half International
Key features
A big name in the hiring space and a recipient of many awards from notable organizations like Forbes, Robert Half is an essential company on this list. It’s a specialized agency that’s focused mainly on marketing roles but also can help with accounting and finance roles. It serves candidates and companies across the planet with over 400 global locations.
Pros
- Talent access with a huge database with millions of candidates.
- Remote, on-site, short-term, and long-term talent finding.
- Managed solutions to expedite other areas of the hiring process.
- Over 70 years of experience.
- AI “pay if you hire” matching option.
Cons
- Heavily specialized within a few verticals.
- More difficult to contact for support than some providers.
Our verdict
With many different recruitment options, Robert Half offers flexible solutions to those looking for qualified candidates in the marketing, accounting, and finance industries. It also has experience in the creative, administrative, and legal industries – in other words, it’s focused on those candidates with specialized skills. If you need a tried-and-true expert in your field, and quickly, Robert Half may be just the place to turn.
Best for Startups
The Adecco Group
Key Features
The Adecco Group is one of the world’s largest HR and staffing agencies. They can help with both permanent and temporary placements, and they offer a number of other services as well, ranging from outsourcing to consulting to training. They specialize in business services and financial services, manufacturing, IT, and medical placements.
Their breadth of services makes Adecco Group a particularly useful recruitment agency for startups (read more about the best hiring practices for startups in our 2024 Startup Hiring Guide).
Pros
- Broad offering of innovative digital tools.
- Extensive database of pre-screened candidates to fill positions faster.
- Caters to a variety of different industries.
- Strong global brand recognition, reputation, and presence.
Cons
- Minimum project size of $1,000
Our verdict
Adecco is a strong international recruitment agency with the portfolio to prove it. They’ve worked with plenty of top brands and have sourced many candidates in their more than 50 years on the job. When you’re looking for a reliable, recognizable brand, Adecco may be a compelling choice.
Best for Small Businesses
Kelly Services
Key features
Kelly Services prides itself on finding the right talent for any business, regardless of needs or budget. The agency has been around for nearly 80 years, and these days, it’s connecting over 1 million people to the right positions each year. It’s best known for being a top agency for recruiting engineers, but the company actually has an even wider range of expertise.
Pros
- Well-established agency with a global presence.
- Honed prequalification process for candidates.
- Flexible and scalable services available.
- Cost-effective option for smaller businesses.
Cons
- Best known for engineering recruitment.
Our verdict
Kelly Services is committed to talent acquisition across a variety of economic factors, making a positive difference in the communities it serves. Because it works with organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies, Kelly is an attractive option that reaches across industries and sectors.
Best for Company Culture
LaSalle Network
Key features
With 99% of Fortune 500 companies using applicant tracking systems, or software to help with human resources and recruitment needs, it’s clear that hiring has become more important than ever. That’s where LaSalle comes in. A leading staffing and recruitment company, LaSalle offers services throughout many industries and prioritizes making a difference. It has a veteran hiring initiative and works with many charities as well as providing top-tier hiring services for its clients.
Pros
- Focus on culture, ensuring the right fit between candidate and company.
- Award-winning company with strong global presence.
- Works with charities and is an ethical company.
Cons
- Specialized in some sectors more than others.
- Can be a more expensive option for small businesses.
Our verdict
LaSalle is a standout player in the world of international recruitment agencies. With its focus on leaving the world better than it found it, LaSalle promotes ethical hiring practices and diversity while prioritizing culture in the workplaces of its clients. Although it’s one of the newer agencies on this list (founded in 1998), LaSalle Network offers an attractive collection of services to companies ready to take the plunge into top-tier hiring.
Best for Company Fit
Lucas Group
Key Features
Now part of Korn Ferry, Lucas Group is a recruiting company that prides itself on its wide pool of talent reaching across many different industries. It’s most focused on the matching process, and analyzes candidates’ personal qualities, skills, and experience as well as their cultural fit in order to meet the hiring needs of its clients. It’s known for providing high-quality, well-matched candidates that fit seamlessly into the day-to-day operations of a business.
Pros
- Expertise in recruiting across a wide range of industries, including military talent recruitment
- Broad scope, working with companies of various sizes.
- Data-based recruitment, known for rigorous research and smart analytics.
Cons
- Not the best for small businesses – focused on midsize and up.
- Larger presence in North America than globally.
Final Verdict
Lucas Group can be a great option for those who are especially concerned with finding the right match. As employers are losing confidence in finding the right candidate, it’s especially important to ensure you find the perfect person for the job you’re looking to fill. Making those kinds of moves without the help of a recruitment agency can often lead to unnecessary stress, frustration, and even lasting unfilled roles.
Best for Engineering
Aerotek
Key features
What began as a top engineering recruitment agency has now expanded into a variety of other industries. Since its origins in 1983, Aerotek has grown its reach through Europe and Asia Pacific. They’ve helped place over 200,000 contractors, and their services include workforce management and on-premise onboarding help to ensure each transition runs smoothly.
Pros
- Specialization, with excellent support for engineering, medical, and logistics hires
- Outstanding global reputation, renowned for its professionalism.
- Speedy recruitment, with time-sensitive and effective hiring solutions.
Cons
- Better for temporary than permanent positions.
- Experts in some industries more than others.
Our verdict
Due to its efficient and informed hiring services, Aerotek certainly deserves a spot on this list. It’s a great option for engineering and medical hires, and its expertise is most relevant to these industries. At a reasonable price point, Aerotek can offer a suite of effective solutions including on-site transitional assistance, which can be a game changer.
Best for Remote Talent
Remote
Key features
Known primarily as an international employer of record, Remote stepped into the recruitment role recently with the addition of its ‘Remote Talent‘ platform. As well as directly connecting companies with top candidates, Remote has an online jobs board for companies to advertise their positions.
Pros
- Full integration, with the Remote Employer of Record platform.
- Outstanding international reputation, known as a leading HR provider.
- Remote work focus, ensuring that you connect with the top candidates internationally interested in remote work.
Cons
- More expensive than some other recruitment services
- Restricted to remote jobs only.
Our verdict
With a well-earned reputation as one of the leading international Employers of Record with its new recruitment offer, Remote is an up-and-comer in the recruitment space.
Best for AI/ML Recruitment
Elite Recruitments
Key features
EliteRecruitments (A unit of Prathameshwara Consulting Pvt. Ltd.) is a full-service recruitment agency, with a special focus on India tech and finance recruitment.
Incorporated in 2014, Elite has gained a reputation for highly skilled talent acquisition in areas such as data engineering, financial advisory, machine learning and general software engineering.
Pros
- Extensive database ensuring a steady stream of top-notch applications. Elite also grows and cultivates contacts in the sectors it specializes in.
- Fast and transparent process, ensuring applicants are treated with respect.
- Deep industry knowledge, skilled at recruiting for hard-to-fill tech positions such as AI/ML.
Cons
- Does not offer coverage in every country.
Our verdict
It is now well-established that South Asia is the top location for international tech talent. With a strong reputation in India recruitment and deep specialisation in the tech and finance fields, EliteRecruitments is an excellent choice for your global recruiting partner.
The Best International Recruitment Agencies — My Take
Based on my experience in the industry, I have examined 67 top recruitment agencies to come up with a final shortlist of the best 12.
The general benefits of engaging an international recruitment agency are clear: If locating, vetting, interviewing, and hiring the best candidate yourself has been a challenge in the past, it’s become even more of a roadblock today. More and more employers – a whopping 91% – are having trouble finding the right people to fill positions due to the widening skills gap. So how do you find the perfect employee when the obstacles continue to pile up?
Hesitant about the price tag? Here’s the thing: Working with a recruitment agency can often save you so much time and resources that you actually save on your talent acquisition costs in the long run. Remember, finding qualified candidates yourself isn’t free. It costs you plenty in time, energy, and investment. Recruitment agencies know how to optimize this process so that it’s more efficient and more effective.
By picking a recruitment agency tailored to your needs, you can ensure a fast and efficient talent acquisition process, in any country around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
An international recruitment agency fields job seekers and matches them with client businesses worldwide. This could include qualified candidates in-country as well as candidates who are willing to relocate internationally.
The recruiter, representing the recruitment agency, the Head of Human Resources, and the hiring manager typically manage the recruitment process. The resources, fellow team members, direct supervisor to the new hire, and CEO may be involved as well.
