Struggling to land a job? These 5 best employment agencies in Manchester can help
After graduation, I remember firing off my resume to every company I could find. It took a whole month before I finally heard back, and honestly, I was starting to lose hope.
If I had known there were people out there who could’ve made my job-hunting way easier, I’d have called them in a heartbeat.
So, my team and I decided to do the digging for you. We’ve been all around Manchester checking out employment agencies. There are loads, but we did the hard work to find the best ones.
Keep reading to find our picks!
| How much do employment agency services cost in Manchester? Employment agency services in Manchester typically cost 15% to 25% of the candidate’s first annual salary. For temporary staff, agencies may charge an hourly rate that includes wages, National Insurance, and their fee. |
1. Reed Recruitment Agency
Address: The Exchange, 3 New York St
Phone: +44 161 830 1682
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Reed Recruitment Agency’s candidate database is impressive. They have over 22 million CVs and almost 400,000 temporary workers.
That kind of scale means they can move fast. They often fill temporary roles within 24 hours and permanent jobs in just a few days. If you need to hire quickly, they could be a good bet.
For job seekers, we liked how they assign you a consultant who actually knows your industry. It’s really convenient when it comes to matching you with roles that make sense for your experience instead of wasting time on jobs that don’t fit.
We also appreciate that they focus on training and upskilling. They offer free or subsidised courses in areas like finance, IT, and admin. It’s a big plus, especially if you’ve been out of work for a while or want to feel more confident in interviews.
Another benefit we noticed is that they seem to have access to off-market jobs, which might be because of their long-standing relationships with employers. So if you’ve hit a dead end with your own job search, connecting with them might open up new doors.
That said, we’d recommend staying in regular contact with your consultant. A few people mentioned that communication can sometimes slow down if you’re not proactive, especially when applying for temporary or contract roles.
Their communication was clear and consistent
“I had a great experience working with Nathan Greenwood at Reed Recruitment. Their communication was clear and consistent throughout the entire job search process. I always felt supported, from refining my CV to preparing for interviews. Most importantly, their professionalism stood out—they truly cared about finding the right fit for me. Whenever I had an issue, he was always there to resolve it. I wanna give a big thanks to him and highlight what a great asset he is to his firm. I landed a role that aligns perfectly with my goals. Highly recommended!”
Umar Huss, Google review
The team helped me secure a new role
“I cannot thank the whole team, but especially Daniel Joynes at Further Education Manchester, enough for their help securing a new role. Daniel made the onboarding painless and opened my eyes to a new sector in a really supportive way. Though I started as a temporary member of staff, my experiences were so positive that I have now begun a permanent contract. It is safe to say I would never have considered this role were it not for Daniel and the team at Reed. Fully recommend.”
Greg Fox, Google review
2. Proactive Personnel Ltd
Address: 67 Cheetham Hill Rd, Cheetham Hill,
Phone: +44 161 661 8000
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Our team was particularly impressed by the range of industries Proactive Personnel Ltd works in. They cover everything from transport and logistics to office work, construction, and engineering.
It’s not often you find an agency that can confidently place both forklift drivers and accountants under the same roof. But from what we’ve seen, they seem to handle that balance well.
During our research, we saw how they shine in personal service. We spoke with someone who had called them to ask about construction jobs. His consultant found him a job that started the very next day, just minutes from his home.
That kind of fast response, along with clear communication and follow-up, is something a lot of agencies promise, but don’t always deliver.
We were also impressed by the size of their team. With over 100 consultants, they seem well-equipped to handle both high-volume recruitment and more tailored roles.
That said, we did hear from a few former workers who had a different experience.
Some, particularly drivers and warehouse operatives, mentioned long periods without calls or work. This led to a lot of uncertainty and unstable income.
So while the agency clearly works well for many, consistency in job flow could be an area for improvement.
She was always there for me whenever I needed advice
“I’d like to thank a helpful woman called Macy, who is very proactive and efficient at what she does in her role at Proactive Manchester. She was always there for me whenever I needed advice or when I had any issues. You should be very proud to have her as a member of your team.”
Michael Lomax, Google review
Always a phone call away and happy to help!
“Amazing agency, been a pleasure working with them for the past year. Keeping it professional and always working to solve any issues. I’d personally like to give a big shout-out to a lovely gentleman called Dan! I like to refer to him as Dan the man! Always a phone call away and happy to help! No payment issues or anything of that sort, would also like to say thank you to the rest of the team too! It’s been a delightful experience.”
Hazir Hussain, Google review
3. Michael Page Recruitment Agency
Address: 7th Floor, 2 Hardman St
Phone: +44 330 390 3050
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 6:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Michael Page Recruitment Agency has consultants who focus on different sectors like digital, IT, and construction. So if you’re looking for work in one of those areas or hiring for them, you’ll likely deal with a recruiter who understands the field.
One thing that stood out to us is how their consultants work. Instead of earning commission, they’re salaried and work as a team.
This is actually nice because they’re not under pressure to push people into just any job to hit sales targets. It also means your CV might be shared with more potential employers since the team works together rather than competing.
However, some people we came across mentioned that this team approach can slow things down.
Without one dedicated person driving everything forward, it can sometimes feel like your application is being passed around without much urgency.
We appreciate their transparent fee structure. For permanent roles, employers pay a percentage of the candidate’s first-year salary. This goes up to 33% for high-earning jobs, with a £3,000 minimum.
While this is fairly standard in the industry, it may be a consideration for startups or smaller companies watching their budgets.
On the plus side, they do have a refund or replacement policy for placements that don’t work out within 8 weeks, which adds a level of reassurance.
We also like how hands-on they are with the full hiring process. From sourcing and vetting candidates to coordinating interviews, they take a lot off the employer’s plate.
I was always informed about the role, the company and interview feedback
“Billy Mason guided me through the whole recruitment process and was successful in being offered a role, which I am very excited about. Billy’s communication throughout the process was on point, I was always informed about the role, the company and interview feedback, which helped me feel confident and supported. I would highly recommend Billy.”
Suhail Aslam, Google review
They really listened and understood my career needs
“I have used Michael Page both recently and a number of years ago. Their services are consistently excellent. The Recruitment Consultant really listened and understood my career needs and matched me accordingly, providing excellent communication and support through my interview process.”
Amanda Jordan, Google review
4. Blue Arrow Manchester
Address: 1st Floor, Blue Arrow, Imperial Court, Building 2 Exchange Quay
Phone: +44 161 228 7542
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
With over 30 years of experience in Manchester and the surrounding areas, Blue Arrows gives a serious edge in understanding local employer needs.
They’ve built strong networks across industries like hospitality, logistics, and customer service. If you’re looking for roles in those sectors, you might want to check them out.
One thing we really liked was how much support they offer to job seekers. A lot of the people we spoke to mentioned how helpful their staff were, especially with things like sorting out pay, confirming shifts, and keeping track of holidays.
Their communication also got great feedback. One person who worked with them long-term said everything around hours, pay, and time off was handled really well.
They also work with big companies like Royal Mail and Sodexo, which opens a lot of opportunities.
Most of the jobs seem entry-level roles, which is ideal if you’re a student or just getting back into work. But if you’re looking for a mid- or senior-level position, you might need to look elsewhere.
We also noticed that while they offer a lot of temporary and contract work, permanent roles seem to be advertised less often. That could be a downside if you’re hoping to find something more long-term.
Professional, responsive, and always helpful
“I had a great experience working through Blue Arrow Consultancy! Carol Riley was amazing—professional, responsive, and always helpful. The process was smooth, and they matched me with a great opportunity. Highly recommend their services!”
Alam Ali, Google review
Great communication from the start
“Great communication from the start. Vicky was always amazing at talking me through the application stages and checking in on me throughout my time working. Genuinely caring for the well-being, issues and questions that I had. Would definitely recommend to people in the future”
Liam Heath, Google review
5. Tradewind Recruitment
Address: 5th floor, York House, 20 York St
Phone: +44 161 674 0138
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
If your background is in education, Tradewind Recruitment might be a good agency to check out. Unlike generalist employment agencies that handle a bit of everything, they work exclusively with schools, from nurseries to academies.
They help fill a variety of positions, not just teaching. They also try to look for teacher assistants, SEN specialists, and support staff.
We liked that their Manchester office is right in the city centre, which is super handy if you’re using public transport. It’s easy to get to for interviews, meetings, or registration appointments.
Their access to free training also impressed us. Thanks to their partnership with The National College, candidates can take over 2,500 accredited courses and webinars.
That’s really useful if you’re new to the sector or want to keep your skills sharp while you’re between placements.
Getting started with Tradeswind also seems pretty straightforward. The registration process is smooth, and they offer helpful extras like interview coaching and career advice. These are big pluses if you’re unsure about your next step in education.
A few people we heard from did mention that communication can slow down during busy times, which is something to keep in mind.
However, most of the feedback we came across was positive. Many felt supported and placed in roles that really suited them.
Tradewind has truly stood out as the best
“I have worked with several agencies over the years, but Tradewind has truly stood out as the best. If there were a 7-star rating option, I would gladly give it! The team at Tradewind, especially Mathew Brown, exemplifies professionalism and dedication. Mathew is an exceptional consultant—friendly, approachable, and always willing to go the extra mile to support you in every possible way. His commitment to ensuring a seamless experience is unmatched. I highly recommend Tradewind to anyone seeking a trustworthy and supportive agency.”
Sami Chaudhary, Google review
Such lovely people to deal with
“First experience with Tradewind recruitment and I have to say how professional they are, Fahim in the Manchester office, constantly following up and guiding me on my portal. And not forgetting Lizzie in Liverpool. Well done, such lovely people to deal with, thank you for your support.”
Sandra Martin, Google review