Start a recruitment agency
If you have ever wanted to start your own recruitment agency, then you're in the right place. My name is Brian Daniel; and I own a famous headhunting agency called The Celebrity Personal Assistant Network, which has been featured in dozens of high-profile media outlets worldwide.
My recruiting agency specializes in searching for qualified candidates that will serve celebrities, high-net-worth families and billionaires in almost any business sector.
My recruiting agency specializes in searching for qualified candidates that will serve celebrities, high-net-worth families and billionaires in almost any business sector.
How I started my own recruitment agency
Senior positions in the recruitment industry
For many years, I would visit recruitment agencies as one of many job seekers looking for work. After registering with a firm, I would scour their job boards hoping to be one of the potential candidates for a high-profile client.
Because of this, I became very familiar with the recruitment process. Most recruitment agencies, though, didn't do a very good job with helping me as a new hire. I thought the recruitment industry, in general, was very impersonal. In the end, I learned how to start an employment agency on my own; and now I teach others how to start a recruitment agency.
Because of this, I became very familiar with the recruitment process. Most recruitment agencies, though, didn't do a very good job with helping me as a new hire. I thought the recruitment industry, in general, was very impersonal. In the end, I learned how to start an employment agency on my own; and now I teach others how to start a recruitment agency.
Which recruiting agency niche are you going to fill?
Recruiting agencies have many different specializations. If you are going to start a recruitment agency, then you should ideally be familiar with the profession that you will be recruiting for. As an example, I was a former personal assistant and estate manager for high-net-worth individuals, so I decided my niche would be the domestic staffing industry.
In my opinion, every successful recruitment agency should have something they are really great at. If you can specialize, then attracting qualified candidates in a target market will be easier because you have credibility.
In my opinion, every successful recruitment agency should have something they are really great at. If you can specialize, then attracting qualified candidates in a target market will be easier because you have credibility.
Recruitment agencies are a dime a dozen
Recruiting qualified candidates is key to success
Finding potential customers for your recruiting business is the hardest part, so you have to be prepared to lose money in the beginning. Getting qualified candidates into your applicant tracking system will be a critical first step. Without a stable of qualified candidates, you won't be able to make a successful placement.
Because there are so many recruitment services in the marketplace, standing out won't be easy unless you offer outstanding service. You may even need to reduce commissions to attract new customers.
Because there are so many recruitment services in the marketplace, standing out won't be easy unless you offer outstanding service. You may even need to reduce commissions to attract new customers.
Mistakes I made with my new recruitment agency
Small businesses need to have a target market and a strong marketing plan. Recruiting industry professionals can't put all of their eggs in one basket and rely solely on email marketing, for example. In short, I made many mistakes with my business plan in the beginning.
Part of your business model needs to have a budget for a web developer with strong SEO experience so you can be found in search engines. To do that, your new business needs to produce relevant content that users want to engage with.
Part of your business model needs to have a budget for a web developer with strong SEO experience so you can be found in search engines. To do that, your new business needs to produce relevant content that users want to engage with.
Learn from other recruitment agencies
Which recruiting business model will you use?
If you want to start your own business, recruitment agency or not, then you need to see what your competition is doing. Honestly, I recommend working at a recruitment firm first before starting your own.
Starting a recruitment agency should be taken very seriously or you could lose some serious money. If you work at a staffing agency first, then you will learn about the whole recruitment process. Additionally, you would then have the business acumen to open a physical location.
Starting a recruitment agency should be taken very seriously or you could lose some serious money. If you work at a staffing agency first, then you will learn about the whole recruitment process. Additionally, you would then have the business acumen to open a physical location.
Finding a mentor or consultant to learn how to land potential clients
My own recruiting business suffered a lot in the beginning. If I could do it all over again, I would have hired a consultant to teach me how to run a recruitment agency. Dealing with the business name and becoming a legal entity was only the start.
Having some advice from an experienced recruiter about running a recruitment business is strongly suggested. Because there are so many recruitment agencies in the market, a small business owner is at a disadvantage from day one.
Having some advice from an experienced recruiter about running a recruitment business is strongly suggested. Because there are so many recruitment agencies in the market, a small business owner is at a disadvantage from day one.
How much should a recruitment business charge for services?
Fees for temporary recruitment are typically double the wage
Recruiting agencies typically charge 20% of a new hire's salary. However, the annual salary isn't all the compensation package is worth. Candidates may have a company car and free accommodation, for example. So, the recruitment agency needs to decide if the commission will be based on just the annual salary, or the entire value of the hiring package.
Also, temporary recruitment is one niche you may consider. When you work on a contract basis and you charge customers a flat fee if they hire, it's very time consuming because there is no money upfront. Temporary recruitment, on the other hand, has a much shorter recruitment cycle and you get paid much faster.
Also, temporary recruitment is one niche you may consider. When you work on a contract basis and you charge customers a flat fee if they hire, it's very time consuming because there is no money upfront. Temporary recruitment, on the other hand, has a much shorter recruitment cycle and you get paid much faster.
Final advice on starting a recruitment agency in 2025
Recruiting agencies can be very lucrative once you have a steady flow of clients and candidates; but understanding the hiring process and attracting top talent takes skill. If possible, speak to a recruitment consultant to get advice and mentoring about the ins and outs of owning a recruitment agency.
Understanding social media platforms and having a strong company culture will play and important part in the success of your recruiting agency. In the beginning, a recruiter won't have much of a personal life because your personal connections will only get you so far. There will be a lot of cold calling to get potential customers in the beginning.
If you are a small business owner and need assistance with your recruiting agency, then reach out to me for advice and we can have a consulting session. We can discuss business insurance or how to hire a new employee. More importantly, I can give you a complete guide on how to brand your business and how not to be taken advantage of by search engine optimization experts.
Understanding social media platforms and having a strong company culture will play and important part in the success of your recruiting agency. In the beginning, a recruiter won't have much of a personal life because your personal connections will only get you so far. There will be a lot of cold calling to get potential customers in the beginning.
If you are a small business owner and need assistance with your recruiting agency, then reach out to me for advice and we can have a consulting session. We can discuss business insurance or how to hire a new employee. More importantly, I can give you a complete guide on how to brand your business and how not to be taken advantage of by search engine optimization experts.
Filed Under: start a recruitment agency, consulting, recruiting agency start up costs, business license advice, new recruitment business
