Permanent recruitment solutions
Reed has helped organisations to find talented permanent employees for over 65 years.

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How Reed can help you with permanent recruitment
Reed provide a tailored service to help you recruit your next employee. So you can be confident you'll find an option to suit your needs, every time.
As a permanent placement agency, we go beyond simply finding you a new permanent employee on a one-off basis, Reed offers a level of service which allows us to build a rapport with you and your organisation. Even when we have found your new hire, our experts continue to support you after your chosen candidate has joined your organisation.
Whether you’re searching for a scarce skillset, or are struggling with a high volume of applications, we can find you the right permanent recruitment solutions for your role.
When working with us to recruit permanently, you’ll receive the following as standard:
Expert advice on your job description, the salary you should offer and talent attraction strategy
A featured advert on Reed.co.uk, the UK’s number one digital recruitment service
A vast range of compliance and screening checks
Support with arranging interviews and ensuring follow up
Guidance on offer negotiation and counteroffer scenarios
Post-placement reviews and candidate check up
The Reed difference
Our permanent recruitment solutions are customer focused and tailored to what you need. We offer you a choice of services so that you can choose the right level of support. We’re so confident in the service we deliver that our permanent recruitment solutions come with flexible guarantees of up to six months, offering you peace of mind when selecting the next professional for your organisation.
Reed is the largest family-run recruitment agency in the world. This gives us the reach to assist you in accessing the best talent available on the market. We use both our consultants’ in-depth local knowledge and our access to Reed.co.uk, the UK’s number one digital recruitment service, to locate the candidates you need.
We were the first recruiter to pioneer specialist recruitment services, recognising the different approaches required for different sectors. To date, we’re experts in the 20 sectors we recruit for and have a network of quality candidates which reflects this expertise.
At Reed, we spend every minute of the day fulfilling our purpose of ‘improving lives through work’. And to do this, we operate by the following values:
We are fair open and honest
We take ownership
We work together
When working with us, we provide a first-class service which incorporates all these values, so you can have confidence you’re working with a trusted permanent placement agency looking to make a positive difference to both your organisation and the wider community.
We’re so confident in the service we deliver that our permanent recruitment services come with flexible guarantees of up to six months, offering you peace of mind when selecting the next professional for your organisation.
Our unique end-to-end coverage means we can support you with a range of services, beyond that of a typical permanent recruitment agency. Whether you need to hire staff, a range of workforce solutions, consultancy services, professional development support or pre-employment screening – we're here to support all of your needs.
We can help you find the best permanent employees...
Send a brief overview of your requirements and we will contact you to find out more about your needs.
Case studies
Permanent recruitment FAQs
Permanent recruitment focuses on supporting your company in the long term. It involves hiring qualified people with the skills, knowledge and experience that will positively impact company success over time.
Effective permanent recruitment services allows both the company and its employees to grow, develop and build on the shared ambitions and values of the organisation.
The difference between permanent recruitment and contract recruitment often comes down to the contract style, depending on if you’re hiring for full-time roles or limited time roles.
Permanent recruitment offers employees a full-time contract, while contract workers have a limited time contract, usually based on the project size or its duration. Permanent employees can usually enjoy company benefits contract workers aren’t entitled to, such as healthcare, paid leave and sick leave.
What are the benefits and drawbacks?
Permanent recruitment offers stability to both employers and employees, ensuring a long-term commitment and fostering a sense of loyalty. Employers benefit from a consistent workforce, reducing the need for frequent hiring and training. This stability contributes to a more experienced and knowledgeable team and will potentially enhance overall productivity. On the downside, permanent recruitment may involve higher initial costs due to the extensive hiring process and potential long-term commitments in comparison to recruiting temporary staff. Additionally, organisational flexibility may be limited, making it challenging to adapt quickly to changing market conditions. When making permanent hires, the risk of hiring mismatches or increasing skills gaps, if not using a specialist recruiter that can help eliminate this risk, can have lasting impacts on team dynamics and performance.
Contract recruitment provides flexibility for employers to meet specific project needs without a long-term commitment. It allows businesses to access specialised skills for short-term projects, reducing costs associated with benefits and long-term employment. This flexibility is advantageous in industries with fluctuating workloads or specific project requirements. However, drawbacks include potential challenges in team cohesion and a lack of long-term commitment from contract workers, impacting overall company culture. The recurring need to find and hire contract workers may also result in a continuous recruitment process, consuming time and resources if not using a specialist recruiter like Reed. Furthermore, maintaining consistent quality across various contractors may pose a challenge, affecting project outcomes.
Recruiting for a permanent role is where there is no defined employment end date for the employee, and they receive your benefits package. A temporary position, on the other hand, is one that has a defined duration of employment with a contract end date. Permanent employees are viewed as a long-term investment in your business and can help you grow a strong culture, whereas hiring temporary workers provides more flexibility and involves lower costs.
Once you understand your hiring needs, the easier it will be to know which type of employee you need.
Permanent recruitment solutions are a quick and easy way for you to hire talented permanent staff suited to your organisation and ambition.
Reed offers permanent recruitment services that allow you to benefit from our expert industry knowledge. Our consultants can find you the right professional for your role, saving you both time and money along the way.
Using a permanent recruitment agency offers numerous advantages, including access to a large talent pool, expert industry knowledge, and time savings. Agencies like Reed provide tailored permanent staffing solutions, ensuring you find potential employees with the right skills and knowledge to thrive in your company. From crafting job descriptions to pre-employment screening and post-placement support, permanent recruitment services streamline the hiring process, allowing you to focus on your business growth while securing the best talent on the market.
The timeline for permanent hiring varies depending on the role and industry, but it typically takes around four weeks. At Reed, our permanent recruitment consultants follow a structured process, including job advertising, candidate screening, and interview coordination, to ensure a smooth and efficient experience. While the process is thorough, our goal is to deliver high-quality candidates as quickly as possible.
Permanent placement services are beneficial across all industries, including finance, healthcare, technology, engineering, and professional services. Sectors requiring specialised skills or long-term stability particularly benefit from permanent recruitment solutions. At Reed, we have expertise across 20 specialist sectors, ensuring we can meet the unique needs of businesses whatever the industry.
Permanent staffing solutions contribute to business growth by ensuring you hire skilled professionals who align with your company’s long-term goals. By focusing on technical and soft skills, and expertise, permanent recruitment agencies like Reed help build a stable and productive workforce. This stability reduces turnover, enhances team cohesion, and allows businesses to focus on strategic initiatives rather than constant hiring.
When choosing a permanent recruitment consultant, look for industry expertise, a strong track record, a consultative approach, and good local and national connections. A good recruiter will understand your business needs, provide market insights, and offer tailored solutions. At Reed, our consultants combine local market knowledge with access to the UK’s largest candidate database, ensuring you receive expert guidance and the best talent for your organisation.
Yes, permanent employment services are cost-effective. While there is an upfront investment, the benefits of hiring the right employee - reduced turnover, increased productivity, and long-term stability - far outweigh any costs. In addition, the reduced administrative burden on your existing HR teams is a significant advantage, allowing them to focus on strategic initiatives rather than time-consuming recruitment tasks. Permanent recruitment agencies like Reed handle everything from job advertising and candidate screening to compliance checks and interview coordination, streamlining the entire process.
Reed’s permanent recruitment solutions also include flexible guarantees of up to six months, providing peace of mind and ensuring value for your investment.
The permanent recruitment process at Reed is comprehensive and tailored to your needs. It begins with a consultation to understand your requirements, followed by job advertising, candidate screening, and interview coordination. We also assist with offer negotiation, counteroffer scenarios, and post-placement reviews. Our goal is to make the process seamless, ensuring you find the perfect professional for your role.
There's more to Reed...
Recruit at scale
Help with employment checks
Consultancy & project delivery
Learning & development
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Our national coverage allows us to offer a recruitment service tailored to your needs, with accurate local market intelligence on salaries, competitors and the best professionals who can help your business thrive.


