These 5 best employment agencies in Leeds will help you land that job
Right after I graduated, landing a job was way easier than I expected. My friends couldn’t believe it. While they were still sending out resumes left and right, I already had an office to show to every morning, just two weeks later.
You’re probably wondering why, and that’s because I went through an employment agency. You see, I didn’t have any insider connections or fancy tricks. In my case, I needed the right people to help me navigate the job market.
There are loads of them here in Leeds, and finding the right one can fast-track your career. It got me thinking… if it helped me this much, maybe it could help others too.
So, my team and I did some digging to find the best employment agencies in Leeds to give you a hand. Hopefully, it makes your job hunt a whole lot smoother.
| How much do employment agency services cost in Leeds? Employment agency services in Leeds typically cost employers 10-30% of the employee’s annual salary for permanent placements. For temporary staffing, agencies usually charge an hourly rate that includes the worker’s pay plus their own fee, often a 20-50% markup. |
1. Huntress Recruitment
Address: 1, Broad Gate, 22 – 26 The Headrow
Phone: +44 113 205 6400
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Our team recently explored the Huntress Recruitment setup. There’s actually a lot to like, especially if you’re looking for business support roles. They specialise in customer service, administration, and accounting.
We found their recruiters really attentive, especially consultants like Olivia and Liberty. They said they always check in, clarify job expectations, and even help things run smoothly from application to placement.
It also seems like they treat their temps well. If you’re juggling multiple short-term gigs or trying to build up your experience, it’s a big plus to have recruiters who stay in touch and keep things clear.
They also have a strong flow of roles coming on, so if you’re available and responsive, there’s a good chance of getting placed again quickly.
They even have access to jobs that aren’t advertised online, so you might find opportunities here that you wouldn’t find on job boards.
However, we did notice a gap when it comes to longer-term career support. While they’re great at helping people find temporary or contract roles, there’s not much guidance if you’re hoping to move into something permanent.
They found me a suitable role very quickly
“I have never worked for Huntress before, but Olivia Wood found me a suitable role very quickly, and has been helpful and supportive throughout. Jo Stoker was also helpful in Olivia’s absence. Overall, I have had a good experience with Huntress and would recommend them to others.”
Adrian Dewar, Google review
Very professional and efficient throughout the whole process
“Amazing reception by Olivia, very professional and efficient throughout the whole process, made getting a place of work seem fun, you can tell she enjoys her job. Definitely recommend Huntress to anyone, especially if you’re lucky to get Olivia.”
Blaal Aziz, Google review
2. Michael Page Recruitment Agency
Address: 5th Floor, Kings Court, 12 King St
Phone: +44 330 390 3050
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 6:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Michael Page has been in the recruitment game for over 47 years and their experience shows. Their Leeds office alone employs over 90 consultants, which gives them a serious edge when it comes to local market insight.
During our research, we noticed that this isn’t just about having lots of job listings. They have a strong understanding of industries like finance, customer service, and marketing.
This helps them match people with roles that actually fit their backgrounds and goals. If you’re looking for opportunities tailored to this, they’re well-positioned to connect you with fast-growing local businesses or global blue-chip firms.
We also appreciate their emphasis on candidate relationships.
Unlike many agencies that rely on quick CV scans and generic interviews, they make a point of meeting candidates (in person or virtually). This helps them get a full picture of their experience, aspirations, and working style.
Many of the candidates we’ve talked to mentioned Emma Gillard, one of their consultants, for going the extra mile. She was often praised for doing multiple calls before and after interviews to help a candidate feel fully prepared and supported.
That said, a few people did mention slower follow-up at times. Given how personalised their approach is, this isn’t surprising. But it’s something to keep in mind if you’re expecting fast updates.
I can’t thank her enough for all of her help
“Emma Gillard has been absolutely amazing throughout the process of securing my customer service role. Emma has provided attentive assistance with pre-interview chats to ensure I was ready for the interview later that day. We have had a handful of calls along the way which have all been positive, detailed and efficient and moreover, Emma is a genuinely lovely person. I can’t thank her enough for all of her help in securing me a new position in a wonderful company!”
Jayde Gamble, Google review
The recruitment process was slick and manufactured brilliantly
“What can I say but absolutely phenomenal service from start to finish, that’s resulted in a friendship with Mike that I’m sure will last for years to come. The recruitment process was slick and manufactured brilliantly by Mike who took part of a conversation we had and put me in contact with the people who were looking for exactly my kind of role (even to a point where the role itself didn’t exist before Mike took the initiative to put me in contact)…”
Andrew Loades, Google review
3. Headway Recruitment
Address: Avenue HQ, 10-12 E Parade
Phone: +44 113 532 5920
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 5:15 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Headway Recruitment has carved out a clear niche in office support, engineering, and managerial roles. They’re also doing things a bit differently from the typical employment agencies we’ve looked into.
Their propriety insight process is really interesting because they’re not just about ticking boxes for qualifications. They use a combination of AI-driven screening, psychometric testing, and video interviews to really get a 360-view of a candidate.
We liked this because it goes beyond the usual CV and cover letter routine. Someone might not have flashy experience on paper but could have the right temperament and thinking style for a company’s culture.
We also appreciated how much emphasis they place on values and cultural fit. You don’t often see agencies making this a cornerstone of their recruitment, but they do.
There’s also a level of personal support that they provide. We’ve heard from some candidates that their recruiters have always provided them with detailed and constructive feedback to help them do better in interviews.
Where they shine less, though, is in visibility around contract and temporary roles. While they do offer them, most of their messaging seems geared toward permanent positions.
Well communicated throughout and always available to contact
“Had the pleasure of working with Headway Recruitment to find my newest role when I thought all was lost. Started with Sally but switched to Annabel for the majority of the process. Well communicated throughout and always available to contact. Aside from a hiccup with incorrect address details with employer (this was swiftly resolved with Annabel), everything went smoothly and I’m now a week in to the role and it is as described. Thank you Annabel and thank you Headway!”
Andrew Wilson, Google review
Can’t recommend them highly enough!
“Headway Recruitment were a pleasure to work with! Annabel was so professional and made sure you had all the information needed before an assignment. Contact was easy and you always got a really quick reply. Can’t recommend them highly enough!”
Emma Goodall, Google review
4. Gap Personnel
Address: 5 Park Pl
Phone: +44 113 204 8585
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Gap Personnel mainly works with jobs in logistics, manufacturing, and industrial sectors. This specialisation feels like a real strength because not many agencies we’ve looked into focus on these.
We also appreciated how personal their service feels. From what job seekers told us, the consultants really take time to listen and find out what kind of work you’re looking for.
They’re also quick. A lot of people said they started working within a week of signing up, and the registration process was smooth and straightforward. If you’re someone who needs work quickly, they could be a good option.
We also heard good things about how they handle pay. People said they were paid correctly and on time.
One person even shared they got paid later for hours they hadn’t realised were missing, without needing to ask. That’s rare, and it speaks to a company that keeps track of the details and values fairness, which we appreciate as a team.
That said, a few people did mention that communication could be better at times. Some follow-ups weren’t always consistent or took a bit longer than expected.
Their team went above and beyond to understand my skills
“I recently had the pleasure of working with Gap Personnel to secure a job, and I couldn’t be more impressed with their professionalism and dedication. From the initial consultation to the final placement, their team went above and beyond to understand my skills, preferences, and career goals. Thanks to their efforts, I landed a position that aligns perfectly with my aspirations. I highly recommend Gap Personnel to anyone seeking a job placement agency that truly cares about their clients’ success.”
Manzoor Salihy, Google review
One of the finest agencies in Leeds
“This the one of the finest agencies in Leeds. I was new in the UK and I didn’t have a job, but as an Indian they supported me a lot and now I have a permanent job. All credit goes to Gap and especially thanks to Paula Panek who supported me when I needed it. If you want a good job, then you must contact Gap. I recommend Gap due to my personal experience, as it’s the best Agency.”
Jay Suthar, Google review
5. Baker Recruitment Group
Address: 116 Dewsbury Rd
Phone: +44 113 486 2870
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Right away, Baker Recruitment Group’s 25 years of experience stood out to us. They’ve had big-name clients like British Airways and Coca-Cola, so we were really interested to dive deep into them.
We also liked that they don’t just stick to one area. They recruit across a wide range of sectors including sales and marketing, logistics, and IT. They even do engineering and hospitality.
What’s amazing is that the agency’s founder, Lisa Baker, brings real-life warehousing and logistics experience. This gives them a more grounded, practical edge, especially in supply chain and operational roles.
This kind of background often translates to better job-matching because there’s a firsthand understanding of what those roles require daily.
Another thing we appreciated is their focus on cultural fit. They don’t just look at qualifications. They try to make sure candidates would genuinely fit with the team and workplace culture.
A lot of agencies overlook this, so it’s good to see they understand how important team dynamics are.
However, we did come across candidates who pointed out the lack of follow-ups. Several people mentioned being promised callbacks or updates and hearing nothing back.
All the staff were so helpful
“After bumping into complications with the system all the staff were so helpful as they never gave up on trying and finally managed to get me signed up, all staff are very polite and chatty, made me feel very welcome when visiting, thank you so much to the ladies here and I highly recommend this agency for anybody who is seeking quick immediate work.”
Arraf Ibrahim, Google review
Their positive attitude and drive helped me feel motivated
“Great service from Team Baker, I really appreciate you putting in the extra effort during this busy quarter. Our team truly values your hard work. Your positive attitude and drive have helped us all feel motivated during this stressful time. Highly recommend it.”
Percy Jones Jr, Google review