Best Recruitment Agencies Christchurch
Our guide covers the best recruitment agencies in Christchurch for professional, skilled and semi-skilled positions. We outline the benefits of recruiters and how to get the most out of their service
Updated 16 September 2023
Recruitment agencies play a vital role in helping job seekers with employers, but working with the right recruiter is essential. Christchurch 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. 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:
Despite the thriving job market, positions are competitive. 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?
Recruiters work for both a hiring company and the applicant. The process is as followed:
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”.
- 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 Christchurch
- 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:
Cons:
- 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 Christchurch; you can work with whoever you want.
- 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.
Top 11 Christchurch Recruitment Agencies
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 Christchurch.
Professional Recruiters
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Hudson Recruitment ChristchurchHudson is a major global recruitment firm with an office in Christchurch. 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: 16/248 Saint Asaph Street, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8013 Phone: 03-977 8500 Website: Hudson Christchurch |
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Ryan Recruitment ChristchurchRyan Recruitment focuses on specialised recruitment and HR services for permanent and temporary jobs in a wide range of industries.
Specialist areas: Accounting, Finance, Insurance and Management to Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing and Sales. Address: Unit 5a/303 Blenheim Road, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch 8041 Phone: 03-365 0294 Website: Ryan Recruitment |
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Hays Recruitment ChristchurchHays has a dominant presence in New Zealand and offers hundreds of temporary, contract or permanent jobs. You can browse opportunities here and submit your CV.
Specialist areas: Accountancy & Finance, Architecture, Banking and Construction to IT, Law, Property and Sales. Address: 131 Victoria Street, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8013 Phone: 03-377 6656 Website: Hays Christchurch |
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Robert Walters ChristchurchRobert Walters is a major professional recruiter in Christchurch, 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: 4/248 Saint Asaph Street, Addington, Christchurch 8011 Phone: 03-363 5020 Website: Robert Walters Christchurch |
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Randstad Recruitment Agency ChristchuchRandstad is another major global recruitment firm with an office in central Wellington, with a primary focus on finance and IT.
Specialist areas: Finance and Accounting, IT and Technology and Project Consulting Address: Level 2/335 Lincoln Road, Addington, Christchurch 8024 Phone: 03-338 6166 Website: Randstad Christchuch |
Skilled and Semi-Skilled Recruiters
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OneStaffOneStaff offers industrial recruitment, with permanent, temporary and contract jobs.
Specialist areas: Accounting, Trades & Services, Construction, Engineering, Hospitality, Manufacturing and Transport. Address: Level 1, 73 Manchester Street, Christchurch 8011 Phone: 03 377 3992 Website: Onestaff Christchurch |
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AWFAWF specialises in skilled and semi-skilled blue collar staff, with jobs ranging from construction, picking and packing, food processing and more. Their Christchurch jobs database is extensive.
Specialist areas: Skilled and semi-skilled professions; Construction and Civil, Engineering and Technical, Manufacturing and Logistics. Address: 320-324 Cashel Street, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8011 Phone: 03-372 9540 Website: AWF Christchurch |
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Advanced Personnel Services ChristchurchAdvanced Personnel Services focuses on permanent and contract positions in a range of industries.
Specialist areas: Building Services, Engineering and Manufacturing, Labourer, Trades & Services, Machine Operations and Transport. Address: 280 Cashel Street, City Centre, Christchurch 8011 Phone: 03-365 4322 Website: Advanced Personnel Christchurch |
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Drake Recruitment ChristchurchDrake Christchurch provides permanent full-time/part-time and temporary recruitment and talent management solutions, focusing on manufacturing, construction, transport and logistics, human resources, and trades.
Specialist areas: Machine operators, forklift drivers, factory workers, food processors, labourers, devanners, picker packer, call centre and customer service, business support, project management, administration and cleaners. Address: Level 1/834 Colombo Street, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8013 Phone: 03-381 3670 Website: Drake Christchurch |
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Greenlight RecruitmentGreenlight focuses on skilled and semi-skilled jobs. Positions are Casual, Contract or Temp, Full Time and Part-time.
Specialist areas: Sales, Freight Forwarding, Manufacturing, Accounting & Finance, Warehouse, Transport, & Logistics, Administration & Office Support and Insurance Address: 41 Sawyers Arms Road, Northcote, Christchurch 8052 Phone: 03-963 1110 Website: Greenlight Recruitment |
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Bishop AssociatesBishop Associates offer permanent, full time and temporary positions for managerial and administrative jobs. Unlike many others, they do not take placement fees from the candidate's salary.
Specialist areas: Executive Management and Human Resource Address: D1, 150 Lichfield Street, PO Box 9196, Christchurch New Zealand 8011 Phone: 03-265 0666 Website: Bishop Associates |
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