Our guide covers the ten best recruitment agencies in Auckland for professional, skilled and semi-skilled positions. We outline the benefits of recruiters and how to get the most out of their service
Updated 19 November 2022
Recruitment agencies play a vital role in helping job seekers with employers, but working with the right recruiter is essential. Auckland has a thriving job market and many professionals change jobs every 2-4 years, keeping recruiters busy.
Despite the thriving job market, positions are competitive, especially post-COVID. Auckland is also the most popular destination for immigrant workers, so you’ll compete with New Zealanders and people on short-term work visas. To secure an interview, you’ll need to stand out from other applicants. Recruitment agencies play a vital role in pitching you to an employer, so you must be always responsive at every stage of the job-hunting process.
Our guide covers:
- How do Recruitment Agencies Work?
- Four Essential Tips for Success with Recruitment in Auckland
- Recruiters vs Applying Alone – Pros and Cons
- Top 10 Auckland Recruitment Agencies
How do Recruitment Agencies Work?
Recruiters work for both a hiring company and the applicant. The process is as followed:
- A hiring company (i.e. the employer) contacts a recruitment agency to tell them about a job they need to be filled.
- The recruitment agency then assigns an agent who looks after the employer and sources candidates for the position. The agent finds candidates in several ways; using their agency’s database, posting the job on the likes of Seek and Trade Me Jobs, and advertising in print.
- The agent then assesses the quality and suitability of the applicants, and sends the employer a shortlist.
- The employer reviews the shortlist and creates a list of candidates to interview. The recruiter then organises the interviews and coordinates the timings. The recruiter also organises second and third interviews.
- The employer then selects a successful candidate. The recruiter informs the successful applicant and negotiates the salary and benefits. The employer pays the recruiter a fee for their services – this is usually a percentage of the annual salary.
Important: There’s a lot of communication between a recruiter and an employer throughout this process. If you have a good relationship with the recruiter and demonstrate a fantastic attitude, the recruiter will ensure you make the shortlists for the jobs you are interested in.
MoneyHub user Matt recalls his experience:
“I was new to Auckland after five years in the UK. I made an effort to meet three recruiters from three different agencies and got on well with them. I listened to all their suggestions and actioned many, and made sure I was always available to interview and answer the phone. I had four interviews within the first two weeks and secured a financial controller position within a few weeks. I knew how competitive Auckland could be, but I invested upfront in forming a relationship with those helping me to get a job”.
Four Essential Tips for Success with Recruitment in Auckland
- Prepare an exceptionally high-quality CV: CVs make or break job applications – our CV guide outlines everything you need to know.
- Meet the recruiters in person: It won’t take more than 15 minutes and is worth the investment. You can outline your strengths and what you’re looking for over a coffee, which makes you memorable and pitch-able to employers later on.
- Listen to what recruiters suggest: They may recommend changes for your CV, relevant jobs, what to mention at an interview or how to prepare. Whatever it is, they are the experts and are telling you to give you the best chance of securing a job. For this reason, listen to what they say and action it.
- Be accessible: Recruiters are motivated by money and are paid by placing people in jobs. If you don’t return phone calls and/or emails, you’ll become less of a priority. Time is money – if you delay responses or dodge calls altogether, then you won’t have much success even if you’re suitable for the positions advertised.
Recruiters vs Applying Alone – Pros and Cons
Pros:
- CV assistance: Recruiters review your CV, spot issues, suggest improvements and may edit it for specific jobs they put you forward for.
- Recruiters save you time:You won’t need to trawl job adverts and apply with companies directly. Instead, recruiters proposition you with opportunities they believe you are suitable for.
- Free service: Recruiters work for free. They are only paid when you secure a job, hence their incentive to help you.
- You can have more than one recruiter:There are dozens of recruitment companies in Auckland;
- Job application fast-track: Recruiters talk directly with the employer’s hiring management team, which means you can ask the status of the job (whereas cold-calling a company about your application is near-impossible).
- Help and hints for job interviews: Recruiters know their clients (i.e. the employer) and can offer tips about the business (and interviewer) that come from their long-standing experience.
- Salary negotiation: Recruiters do this on your behalf, although you will be asked for input.
- A contact person who is working for you: Your recruitment agent has one job – to get you a job. This means they’ll invest in you as long as you’re suitable for what they offer.
- Exclusive access to jobs: Some recruiters offer exclusive access to jobs that would not otherwise be found through an ordinary search. By working with a recruiter, you have access to these positions.
- You don't need to accept a job you're offered: There's no obligation, and you may receive multiple offers. Recruiters will try to convince you that the job with their client is the best, but the decision making process is yours entirely.
Cons:
- Your salary may be lower if you go through a recruitment agency:Agents can take 10% to 25% of your first-year salary as a fee, so this may be factored into the offer you receive.
- Some recruiters may not be suitable for your experience: The best way to know is to ask the recruitment agent about what they know about a specific job they’ve pitched to you. Make sure they know what it involves in detail. Make sure the recruiter understands your capabilities to avoid going for interviews for unsuitable jobs.
Recruiters are based all over the city and specialise in several industries. With any business, some will deliver and some won’t. We’ve made the job searching process easier for you with a list of the top recruitment firms and agencies in Auckland.
Professional Recruiters
| Hudson Recruitment Agency AucklandHudson is a major global recruitment firm with an office in central Auckland. Hudson provides a range of recruitment services with a focus on professional services. Specialist areas:Accounting, Finance,Analytics,Business Support,Project Services,Risk, Compliance, Technology and Digital Address: Level 12, Crombie Lockwood Tower, 191 Queen Street, Auckland 1010 |
| Robert Half AucklandRobert Half is another major global recruitment firm with an office in central Auckland, with a primary focus on finance and IT. Specialist areas:Finance and Accounting,IT and Technology and Project Consulting Address: 13/151 Queen Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010 |
| Hays Recruitment AucklandHays has a dominant presence in New Zealand and offers hundreds oftemporary, contract or permanent jobs. You can browse opportunities here and submit your CV. Specialist areas:Accountancy & Finance,Architecture,Banking andConstruction toIT, Law,Property andSales. Address: 188 Quay Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010 |
| Robert Walters AucklandRobert Walters is a major professional recruiter in Auckland, with all jobs listed online. Specialist areas: Accounting & Finance,Risk & Compliance,Business Transformation,Human Resources,Information Technology,Legal,Procurement & Supply Chain,Sales, Marketing & Communications,Secretarial & Business Support Address: 22 Fanshawe Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010 |
Skilled and Semi-Skilled Recruiters
| OneStaffOneStaff offers industrial recruitment, with permanent, temporary and contract jobs. Specialist areas:Accounting, Trades & Services, Construction, Engineering, Hospitality, Manufacturing and Transport. Address: Level 1/10 Galatos Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010 |
| Coverstaff RecruitmentCoverstaff recruits across a range of industry sectors, including construction, manufacturing, FMCG, office, warehouse & logistics.Offices are located in South Auckland, West Auckland and the North Shore.The latest jobs available are listed here. Specialist areas:General Labour,Production & Manufacturing andWarehouse & Logistics Address and Phone: Various branches |
| Total RecruitmentTotal Recruitment is a skilled and semi skilled recruiter, focusing on manufacturing, FMCG, office, warehouse & logistics jobs. The latest jobs on offer arelisted here. Specialist areas:General Labour,Production & Manufacturing andWarehouse & Logistics |
| Bravo Hospitality GroupBravo Hospitality focuses on two professions - hospitality and cleaning. Positions are permanent and contract. |
| Beyond RecruitmentBeyond Recruitment claims to be the largest 100% Kiwi-owned multi-specialist recruitment agency in New Zealand. It offers permanent and temporary jobs, all helpfully listed under their specialist area. Address: Huawei Centre level 6/120 Albert Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010 |
| AWFAWF specialises in skilled and semi-skilled blue collar staff, with jobs ranging fromconstruction, picking and packing,food processing and more. TheirAuckland jobs databaseis extensive. Specialist areas:Skilled and semi-skilled professions;Construction and Civil,Engineering and Technical,Manufacturing and Logistics. Address:The Orange Coronation Hall, 149/147 Newton Road, Eden Tce |
Related guides:
- CV templates
