Are recruitment agencies worth the hassle in 2026?

#1 · June 8, 2026, 11:23 am

I've had mixed results over the years. Some agencies are genuinely useful — they know the client, they prep you properly and they fight your corner on rate. Others just spam your CV everywhere without telling you and then go quiet.
These days I do about 70% direct and 30% through agencies. The direct work takes longer to find but the rates are better and the relationships are more honest.
How do others split their time between agency and direct work?

#2 · June 8, 2026, 5:21 pm

70/30 direct to agency is about where I've landed too. The good agencies are genuinely worth it — they know the client, they know the rate range, and they'll tell you things the job spec won't. The bad ones just make noise.