top 8 recruitment agencies in malaysia

Did you know that there are at least 1,000 recruitment agencies in Malaysia? That’s a lot, so how do you know which recruiting agency you should work with?

Finding the right talent who is able to diligently complete work tasks and fit in with your company culture can be a challenge, especially if you lack the resources to embark on a large-scale talent search. If you are looking to deepen your business capabilities or undergoing a business transformation, you might want to consider partnering with a reputable professional recruitment agency for talent solutions and services.

Likewise, as a job seeker, job-hunting becomes much smoother and easier when you find a recruitment agency that can help you find a job with an employer that you like and in the field that you work in. You do not want to work with a recruiter who does not have enough knowledge of the industry you work in, as they will not be capable of finding you an employer or job that fits your needs.

No matter your workforce size or skills requirements, these recruiting firms can help your company find qualified candidates across a wide range of industries to match your needs.

how does a recruitment agency help companies hire the job fit talent?

Recruitment agencies are great at finding qualified candidates due to their extensive access to a large pool of candidates, knowledge of expert recruitment consultants and advanced recruitment technology tools. Using these resources and tools, recruitment firms can effectively identify and attract candidates with key skill sets that align with a company's needs.

HR professionals and hiring managers tend to work with specialised recruiters to find talent with niche skills or to expand their workforce to meet business demands. Recruiters also have ongoing discussions with their clients to understand their skills and experience requirements and understand the company’s employee benefits and workplace environment to help attract interested talent.

Once a match is found based on the potential candidates' skill sets, job specialisation, experience, qualifications and expectations, the recruiting agency manages both the client and candidate throughout the entire recruitment process to ensure a higher success rate.

This includes a wide range of services such as resume screening, talent screening, interview scheduling, negotiation of job offers and assisting with employee onboarding. A good recruiter understands what it takes to attract quality talent with in-demand skills and maintains effective communication between candidates and employers at all times.

how does a recruitment agency help job seekers find a job?

Depending on the seniority of the role as well as expectations of both the employer and the candidate, the entire hiring process can take two weeks, or as long as 6 months. Recruitment agencies can easily connect job seekers to some of the top employers in your industry due to their broad network of hiring managers. They enable talented candidates to have access to numerous career opportunities to help them achieve their career goals.

Once they find a suitable job opportunity for you, the recruiters will send your resume to potential employers and negotiate on your behalf so you don't have to spend time scrolling and applying for multiple jobs online.

Engaging experienced recruiters or job agencies saves both the employers and job seekers time and money.

what type of services do recruitment companies offer?

All recruitment professionals wish for one final outcome - to place you in a job you like, with an employer you want to work for.

It’s likely that you will see the words “top recruitment agency in malaysia”, "best recruitment agency malaysia", "most-trusted recruitment agencies in malaysia” or “top recruiters in malaysia” appear whenever you Google for help, which could leave you more confused than before.

Here are some ways to help narrow your choices, so that you can work with a headhunting or employment  agency that is aligned with your career interests and expectations.

factors to consider when choosing a recruiting agency to help you find a job:

• does the recruitment firm offer jobs that you’re looking for?
• is the recruiter knowledgeable about your career and industry?
• do they represent the companies that you have a desire to work in?
• are they truly interested and able to help you find a new job?

Not all job recruitment companies are the same. Recruitment agencies vary greatly in their services and processes. For example, they may not cover the industry you work in in your country, even if they do elsewhere.

Let’s start by understanding who they are and the types of services they offer to job seekers like you.

randstad overview

Randstad is the world's largest talent company and a partner of choice to clients. Founded in 1960 by Frits Goldschmeding in the Netherlands, Randstad has more than 4,927 offices and 39,530 corporate employees operating in 39 markets.

With a specialised team of executive recruitment consultants, Randstad has been an integral human resources partner in the recruitment industry, providing an end-to-end talent and bespoke recruitment solutions to companies.

With a network of talented professionals with job specialisations in various key industries, Randstad’s innovative workforce solutions help drive companies' workforce efficiency, organisational integration and business growth. The company's Human Forward promise exemplifies its commitment to deliver a world-class customer experience.

As a leading global recruitment agency, Randstad has been shaping the world of work in Malaysia since 1996. It has established its reputation in the recruitment industry as a leading headhunter and an employer of choice in the Malaysian job market.

With proven track records in addition to numerous accolades and recognitions in its name, Randstad Malaysia has been making a meaningful difference by being a trusted human partner.

Global recruitment companies like Randstad offer a diverse and wide range of HR-related services and products to cater to different job seekers to ensure the perfect job-fit match. As a global recruitment organisation, Randstad has established long-term relationships with HR partners from small-and-medium enterprises to multinational organisations.

Randstad's market-leading insights and industry trends report provides essential information about the employment landscape and the world of work today. From market analysis to salary benchmarking; talent trends to employer branding, Randstad helps employers craft HR strategies and solutions by understanding what’s happening in the labour market and how to best position themselves to recruit and retain talent.

Known for being an innovator in the industry, Randstad prides itself as having a strong focus on diversity and inclusion workforce. 50% of the company’s senior leadership positions are held by women around the world. 

The company's focus on delivering quality recruitment solutions, its extensive range of services and its commitment to providing a positive candidate experience have made Randstad one of the top recruitment agencies in Malaysia.

HR services:

• Specialised Permanent Recruitment
• Contracting Recruitment
• Executive Search
• End-to-end Contracting Services
• Payroll services
• Talent Outsourcing
• Career Coaching and Redeployment
• HR Consulting
• Talent Workforce Management

randstad malaysia's industry specialisations:

Accounting & Finance, Information Technology, Construction, Property & Engineering, Human Resources, Sales & Marketing, Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Logistics

what are the top alternatives for randstad?

This list of alternatives is similar to Randstad in terms of common industry categories and services, but not all are the same. Using this list, you can find a recruitment partner that suits your needs. Let's take a look at how Malaysia's recruitment agencies compete in the job market and what they have to offer.

Adecco

Hays

JAC Recruitment

Manpower

Michael Page

Persolkelly

Robert Walters

compare top headhunters and recruiting agencies in malaysia

1. adecco group

Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, Adecco Group was founded in 1997 and is one of the world’s leading human resources solutions providers. Adecco offers a broad range of services including recruitment, benefits administration, training, employee relations, outsourcing and payroll management services for companies with contract staff.

Adecco has been operating in Malaysia since 1987 with 3 branch offices nationwide providing talent acquisition on both permanent and temporary staffing in addition to HR systems outsourcing, career transition counselling, talent development, outplacement and restructuring consulting services.

The company has established a robust presence across major industries, including manufacturing, construction, healthcare, financial services, telecommunications, technology and retail.

Working with employers, Adecco provides recruitment strategies for growth opportunities and helps connect job seekers with employers by working collaboratively with employers and understanding their needs.

staffing services:

• Temporary and Permanent Recruitment
• Flexible Workforce Management
• Career Transition
• Outsourcing

adecco malaysia’s industry specialisations:

Call Centre & Customer Service, Engineering & Technical, Information Technology, Industrial, Manufacturing & Operations, Office & Administration, Retail, Sales & Marketing and Supply Chain & Logistics

2. hays

Hays PLC is one of the largest specialised recruiters headquartered in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1968 as the Career Care Group and was acquired by Hays PLC in 1986. The company operates across 32 countries delivering a range of services across different industries and professions.

Hays has been growing its business in Malaysia since 2012, with two offices providing employment services including temporary, permanent and contractual recruitment services, payroll outsourcing and managed service provider.

The firm analyses data to support business decisions, advises on the best access to talent networks as well as assists employers in identifying and executing attractive offers.

professional services:

• Permanent Recruitment
• Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO)
• Managed Service Programme (MSP)
• Vendor Management Solutions

hays malaysia’s specialisations:

Accounting & Finance, Banking & Financial Services, Engineering, Human Resources, Insurance, Legal, Life Sciences, Manufacturing & Operations, Marketing & Digital, Sales, Supply Chain and Technology

3. JAC recruitment

JAC Recruitment is a specialist recruitment agency that is part of the JAC (The Japan Agency & Consultancy) global network. Founded in London, England in 1975, JAC Recruitment is headquartered in Japan and operates in 11 countries across Asia and Europe.

The company expanded its business in Malaysia in 1994 providing recruitment and placement service, professional consultancy and career change support to working adults. With a dynamic team of recruiters working in different industries, JAC recruitment offers a variety of employment opportunities including contract, temporary, full time and part-time positions.

JAC Recruitment offers various types of recruitment services to companies ranging from startups to large multinationals. They have placed candidates from entry level to management positions.

recruitment services:

• Permanent Placement Services
• Contract & Temporary Placement
• Payroll Outsourcing Services
• Consulting Services

JAC recruitment specialisations:

Automotive, Banking & Finance, Chemical, Consumer Goods, Digital, Education, Energy, Engineering, Finance, Technology, Healthcare, Human Resources, Industrial, Information Technology, Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Marketing, PR & Communications and Shared Services

4. manpower

Manpower is a subsidiary of ManpowerGroup, one of the world's leading workforce consulting firms. Headquartered in the United States of America, ManpowerGroup Inc. is the third largest staffing company in the world after Swiss based Adecco and Netherlands based Randstad. Founded in 1948, the company has a presence in 80 countries.

ManpowerGroup Malaysia has provided a wide array of employment opportunities across industries in Malaysia since 1999.

With a suite of workforce solutions, Manpower enables SMEs and multinational companies to find talent who would help achieve their business goals and improve their competitive position.

professional services:

• Contract Staffing
• Permanent Staffing
• Workforce Management
• Career Consulting and Career Transition
• Outplacement

manpower recruitment specialisations:

Accounting & Finance, Admin / Office Support, Banking, Call Centre / Help Desk, Engineering, Information Technology, Manufacturing & Logistics, Retail & FMCG and Sales & Marketing

5. michael page

Michael Page is a subsidiary of PageGroup that was established in London in 1976 in Weybridge, United Kingdom. The company is one of the UK's largest independent recruitment consultancies and operates in 36 markets with more than 1,000 staff operating across the globe.

Michael Page opened its Kuala Lumpur branch in 2011. Since then, it has been operating as an international recruitment consultancy in Malaysia offering professional recruitment services for business such as permanent placement, contract or temporary placement, human resource outsourcing and outplacement services.

Michael Page Malaysia dedicated teams of consultants helps employers identify and find qualified candidates for highly specialised technical permanent and contract positions.

employment services:

• Recruitment Solutions
• Executive Search
• HR Outsourcing
• HR Consulting
• HR Process Improvement
• HR Transformation
• HR Strategy

michael page malaysia specialisations:

Construction, Digital, Engineering & Manufacturing, Finance & Accounting, Human Resources, Information, Technology, Legal, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Marketing, Procurement & Supply Chain, Property and Sales

6. persolkelly

Established in 2016 and headquartered in Singapore, Persolkelly is a joint venture company formed by Persol Holdings (formerly known as Temp Holdings) and Kelly Services to meet the rapidly expanding Asian markets' workforce employment needs. Since then, the company has expanded their presence to 13 countries across Asia Pacific.

In Malaysia, Persolkelly has expanded their reach to six locations in Malaysia that are managed by more than 250 experienced recruiters, delivering expertise and resources in managing business challenges through an array of recruitment services in various sectors.

Persolkelly's professional experience in Malaysia enables you to transform your business and provide strategic solutions for future challenges and HR needs.

professional services:

• Permanent Recruitment
• Temporary and Contract Staffing
• Payroll Outsourcing
• Business Process Outsourcing
• HR Advisory
• Regional Talent Solutions

persolkelly specialisations:

Accounting, Banking & Finance, Engineering & Technical, Healthcare & Pharmaceutical, Resources & Administration, Information Technology, Procurement & Supply Chain, Sales & Marketing, Contact Centre

7. robert walters

Robert Walters is a recruitment consultancy established in 1985 and headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The company provides permanent and temporary placement to help build the careers of leading executives across 31 markets.

Since 2006, Robert Walters has been operating in Malaysia under its local branch, Robert Walters Malaysia Sdn Bhd, which offers executive search services specialising in middle to senior management roles. Currently, the company employs more than 200 employees serving clients in a variety of industries.

With a global network and a strong local base, Robert Walters is able to meet the needs of clients and candidates with unique insights into the local industry and culture. Robert Walters provides full recruitment services to clients ranging from SMEs to large corporations.

professional services:

• Executive Search services
• Human Resource Management
• Outsourced HR
• Outplacement

robert walters specialisations:

Accounting & Finance, Banking & Financial Services, Engineering, General Management, Human Resources, Tech & Transformation, Legal, Procurement, Supply Chain & Logistics, Sales & Marketing and Healthcare & Life Sciences

where can I find a recruitment agency near me?

With so many recruitment agencies in Malaysia, you can easily find a job recruiter near you by searching online, asking friends for recommendations or contacting them directly by applying to a job on their official websites.

It’s not uncommon for job seekers to engage a few recruitment agencies when looking for a new employer. Whoever you choose to work with, stay focused and positive. Read about how to improve your resume and job interviewing skills, and whenever you’re ready, we’re ready for you too.

Note: This article was updated to reflect the publicly available information in April 2023.

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