Chicago is the third-largest city in the United States and a top destination for job seekers. With over 40 staffing agencies in Chicago, finding a job is easier than ever. Here’s what you need to know about working with staffing agencies in this city.
Staffing agencies in Chicago, while varied in size and offerings, each offer something different that makes them stand out.
As a job-seeker looking for your first or next working adventure, staffing agencies in Chicago and other cities can help you find job opportunities that you may otherwise not have known about.
The Top Staffing Agencies in Chicago
A staffing agency is a good option for companies looking to fill a position quickly. In addition, if you are looking for a variety of candidates to choose from and/or don’t have the time to hire in-house, then using any of these top staffing agencies in Chicago can be helpful.
Robert Half
Industry(ies): General.
Region(s): Global.
Robert Half has been helping professionals find their dream jobs for over 70 years. The company has its headquarters in Menlo Park, California, and other branches all over the U.S. Robert Half is one of the best staffing agencies in Chicago right now, as they hire for top large and small companies like LinkedIn, and Salesforce for example.
Their services include accounting and finance, information technology, legal and creative services. They are also one of the prestigious staffing agencies in Chicago that are nationally recognized for their elite services; they’re listed on the stock market (as RHI) and are a part of the S&P 500. Robert Half has over 700 offices worldwide so you can be sure there will be one near you if you need help finding a new job or someone to fill an open position at your company.
Adecco Staffing
Industry(ies): General.
Region(s): Global.
Adecco is the world’s second-largest provider of workforce solutions, with more than 1,000 offices in over 70 countries. They offer temporary staffing, permanent placement and outsourcing services to clients from a variety of industries including medical, technology, and engineering.
Adecco was founded in Switzerland in 1996 by Alain Dehaze and has since grown into one of the world’s leading companies specializing in staffing services for individuals looking for jobs as well as employers who need help finding qualified employees.
Their headquarters remain in Switzerland but they also have operations set up across North America with over 170 locations throughout Canada and the United States alone. In fact, they’re so big that they’re able to employ roughly 300,000 people worldwide while handling roughly 2 million contracts each year.
Express Employment
Industry(ies): General.
Region(s): Global.
Express Employment Professionals is a privately owned and operated global franchise business that operates out of hundreds of sites across dozens of nations on every continent. The employment agency was established in 1993 and has since developed into one of the most successful staffing agencies in Chicago.
They offer support to organizations as well as applicants in the process of locating suitable matches for the employment and career opportunities that are being sought by either side. This assistance can be provided for either job or career opportunities. Businesses located in a wide range of countries are able to make use of the firm’s extensive employment services, which include professional search, human resource management, evaluation hires, and temporary staffing.
Additionally, the organization offers human resource management. Express’s staff members are able to assist clients in the process of identifying qualified applicants for a broad range of positions, including roles in the areas of administration, manufacturing, and professional services, to name just a few of the possible specializations.
Aerotek
Industry(ies): General.
Region(s): Global.
Aerotek began as a recruiting firm that placed people in technical positions prior to being an aerospace and defense-focused company. This inspired the company’s name. Aerotek is one of the most prominent staffing agencies in Chicago, which specializes in the medical and scientific industries, as well as in the engineering field. An analysis of the global staffing market by Staffing Industry Analysts claimed that Aerotek is one of the world’s largest staffing companies for the financial services industry.
Snelling Staffing Agencies
Industry(ies): Healthcare, Human Resources.
Region(s): U.S only.
Snelling is one of the oldest staffing agencies in Chicago. Founded in 1951, Snelling has grown to more than 100 branches and nearly 20,000 employees across the United States. They provide staffing services for more than 1,000 clients and have more than 100,000 job opportunities available.
Insight Global
Industry(ies): General.
Region(s): Global
Of the many staffing agencies in Chicago that specialize in IT, engineering and finance, Insight Global is one of the largest in the United States. It has offices throughout the country and can provide you with a diverse range of opportunities to suit your needs.
Insight Global was founded by two experienced consultants who saw an opportunity for a more effective way to help companies find qualified candidates for their open positions. Today, they have over 12,000 employees at all levels of experience working within their branches located around major cities such as Chicago (IL), Atlanta (GA), Austin (TX), Charlotte (NC), Dallas (TX), Houston (TX) Los Angeles (CA), Miami Beach (FL), New York City (NY), San Francisco (CA), and San Jose.
Aquent
Industry(ies): Design and Creative, Human Resources, Marketing.
Region(s): Global.
Aquent is one of the staffing agencies in Chicago that is recognized for being ready to take on any project with speed and determination; they are known for supporting some of the largest and most inventive businesses in the world. They put in a lot of effort to learn about your particular objectives and then assist you in finding permanent, temp-to-perm, freelancing, embedded or outsourced assistance that provides a revolutionary client experience.
Aquent is able to provide swift and effective solutions because they organize their account services team according to the industries they serve. This allows them to locate the talent who will already understand your precise requirements. Their network of innovative, high-quality professionals includes dozens of professions in digital marketing, such as UX, digital marketing, and many more.
Avenica
Industry(ies): Engineering.
Region(s): Global.
If you’re looking to land a job in tech and engineering, Avenica is a great choice among the staffing agencies in Chicago. Many of their clients are tech companies and they have relationships with many of these companies that can help you find an opportunity quickly.
They also have a lot of jobs in other industries including healthcare, finance, and legal services. If you are not sure what type of career path would be best for your skillset and personality, Avenica has an excellent career counseling program that will help guide you through the process.
Mondo
Industry(ies): Design and Creative, Human Resources, Marketing.
Region(s): U.S only.
Mondo is a full-service staffing agency in Chicago, specializing in HR and marketing. They have been in business since 2001, with offices in both Chicago and the suburbs.
As one of the top staffing agencies in Chicago, Mondo has access to thousands of candidates who are ready to take on the next project or job openings in the United States.
Kforce
Industry(ies): Finance, Healthcare, IT.
Region(s): Global.
If you’re looking for a job in the IT, finance or accounting fields, Kforce is one of the top staffing agencies in Chicago that you must look out for. With more than 1,200 staffing professionals and offices in Chicago, Boston, New York, and Tampa (not to mention four other U.S. cities), this company has plenty of opportunities available at all times.
Kforce is one of the largest providers of corporate recruiting services in North America, with more than 100 years of experience finding qualified candidates for companies that need them most. Their expertise extends beyond traditional hire-me companies like financial institutions and consulting firms; they provide placements at more than 150 different types of businesses including law firms and healthcare organizations as well as Fortune 500 corporations like Caterpillar Inc., AT&T Inc., McDonald’s, and Walmart.
Chicago Hire Company
Industry(ies): Finance, Healthcare, Advertising, and Marketing.
Region(s): U.S. only.
The Chicago Hire Company is a woman-owned boutique staffing and recruiting firm that aims to link qualified job seekers with businesses that are searching for temporary or permanent people. The company’s goal is to create mutually beneficial working relationships between its clients and its candidates.
Its recruiters, who collectively have more than 50 years of experience in the field of staffing, fill openings in a variety of industries, including banking, hospitality, healthcare, advertising, public relations, and marketing, amongst others.
At the client’s request, the business will also do comprehensive screenings of potential applicants by investigating their credit histories, testing them for drugs, and researching their criminal records. This staffing company, which is currently a member of the American Staffing Association, didn’t start doing business until 1999.
So, we are pretty sure that TCH earned its reputation as one of the top staffing agencies in Chicago, based on popular opinion.
TelePro Group
Industry(ies): Sales and Marketing, Business Services.
Region(s): Global.
TelePro Group is a full-service staffing agency with locations in Chicago, and Indianapolis. The company specializes in temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct hire placements in administrative, executive, and professional positions.
TelePro Group has been recognized as one of the top 100 staffing agencies in Chicago for excellence by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) since 2010.
Mack & Associates Limited
Industry(ies): Sales and Marketing, Business Services.
Region(s): Global.
Mack & Associates Limited is another one of the top staffing agencies in Chicago. They are a full-service staffing agency with experience in staffing for temporary and direct hire positions. They specialize in IT Staffing, Engineering Staffing, Accounting Staffing, and Administrative Support Staffing.
Mack & Associates Limited has been in business for a while now, so they have a lot of experience hiring people with all different kinds of skill sets. They also offer free training classes to help you succeed in your job search or during your career once you start working at one of their companies.
AHS Staffing
Industry(ies): Government, Healthcare.
Region(s): U.S. only.
If we made a list of the best healthcare staffing agencies in Chicago, AHS Staffing may probably be the best of them. AHS Staffing is a staffing agency that specializes in healthcare and medical staffing. They offer services to hospitals, medical offices, and medical facilities.
If you are looking to work in government-owned medical facilities in the U.S., then we recommend AHS for its huge catalog of top employers.
LaSalle Network
Industry(ies): Accounting and Finance, Administrative, Call Center, Healthcare Revenue Cycle, Human Resources, Management Resources, Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain, Technology And Executive Staff roles.
Region(s): Global.
LaSalle Network is a top staffing agency in Chicago that specializes in a broad range of recruiting roles. They have some of the experienced job-seekers looking to clinch their next employment position. LaSalle also offers contract and permanent hiring, as well as a wide range of positions.
Avanti Staffing Inc.
Industry(ies): Finance, Business Services.
Region(s): Global.
Avanti Staffing Inc. is one of America’s top staffing agencies that specializes in the placement of professionals in the finance and accounting industry. In addition to its headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, Avanti has offices in several other U.S cities including Dallas and San Francisco.
Avanti focuses on both permanent and temporary placements for candidates with all levels of experience including entry-level positions as well as senior staff who have been working in their field for decades.
Advanced Resources
Industry(ies): Sales and Marketing, Business Services.
Region(s): Global.
Advanced Resources is a staffing agency in Chicago, Illinois. They provide temporary and permanent placement services to clients and candidates, from both individuals looking for jobs as well as companies who need help finding employees. Advanced Resources has over 50 offices worldwide and over 100,000 clients. The company currently has more than 2,000 recruiters on staff.
City Staffing
Industry(ies): Administrative, Marketing, Creative, Accounting, Finance, Customer Service, and more.
Region(s): Global.
City Staffing is a full-service staffing agency that specializes in recruiting for permanent and temporary positions for all industries. It is a woman-owned business whose goal is to provide clients with the best candidates possible while matching them with the right position and company culture.
Corporate Resources
Industry(ies): Human Resources.
Region(s): Global.
Corporate Resources is a full-service staffing agency that provides temporary, temp-to-perm, and permanent placement services for companies across the healthcare, technology, and finance industries.
Corporate Resources has been in business since 1988 and has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Davis Staffing
Industry(ies): Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology, Accounting & Finance Professional Staffing, and Recruiting Services.
Region(s): Global.
Davis Staffing is a full-service staffing agency that has been helping businesses and individuals find the right fit for over 50 years. They are a member of the National Association of Temporary & Staffing Services (NATSS).
The company offers temporary, temp-to-hire and direct hire placement services to many industries throughout Chicagoland. They specialize in placing candidates in jobs such as accounting/finance, administrative support/clerical, banking/financial services, contract staffing and IT professionals.
REM Staffing Services
Industry(ies): IT, Engineering.
Region(s): Global.
REM Staffing Services is a staffing agency specializing in IT and engineering. They offer contract, contract-to-hire, and direct placement options for their clients. REM has a variety of contract types and locations, as well as client types and industries. They also have a variety of job types available at REM Staffing Services.
Hirewell
Industry(ies): Technology, Sales, HR, Digital Experience & Marketing, Executive Leadership and Finance and Accounting.
Region(s): Global.
Hirewell is a staffing agency that specializes in IT and Technology. They have a presence in Chicago, San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles. Hirewell provides IT staffing services to Fortune 500 companies.
Swoon Group
Industry(ies): General.
Region(s): Global.
By now, you’re probably well aware of the fact that Chicago is a hub for creative talent and businesses.
If you’re looking for a creative staffing agency in Chicago with an innovative approach to staffing, you should consider Swoon Group. As one of the top staffing agencies in Chicago, they take pride in being a boutique firm that specializes in creative staffing services. They offer temp-to-hire options as well as direct placement options. Some of their main areas include:
- Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations
- Graphic Design/Web Design/IT Development
- Journalism
- Photography/Videography
Swoon Group currently has offices across four major cities including New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and now Chicago.
Atticus Recruiting
Industry(ies): Banking and Finance, Law, Tax Law, Real Estate, Estate Planning, Labor Hire, and more.
Region(s): Chicago.
Atticus Recruiting is one of the successful staffing agencies in Chicago that specializes in banking, finance, law, and labor positions. They have been in business since 1999, and currently has offices in Chicago, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco, and Seattle. Atticus Recruiting has a reputation for being selective of the companies they work with; they only work with top-tier companies that have great cultures.
Shiftgig
Industry(ies): General.
Region(s): U.S. only.
Shiftgig is a mobile app-based staffing agency headquartered in Chicago and has been in business since 2012. It’s free to sign up and create a profile, and the website provides an easy way to search for jobs in your area. If you’re still looking for work in any region in the US, you can use their mobile app to find more opportunities.
Shiftgig has a variety of job opportunities available across multiple industries. The company currently serves Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles and New York City; however, they’re expanding rapidly so check back often.
CreativeSourcing Inc.
Industry(ies): Manufacturing.
Region(s): Chicago.
CreativeSourcing is a staffing agency that specializes in creative staffing. Compared to other staffing agencies in Chicago, this company is newer. They work with companies to find the best talent for their needs, whether they’re looking for a graphic designer or an app developer.
CreativeSourcing helps clients hire the right candidates—and get them signed on as full-time employees—by using their extensive network of experts who have years of experience in the field and have access to candidates all over the world.
Stivers Staffing
Industry(ies): Professional careers, Supply Chain, Retail Merchandising, etc.
Region(s): U.S. only.
Stivers Staffing is a Chicago-based staffing agency that’s been around since 1978. With over 250 employees and services throughout the country, Strivers is in a great position to help you find your next job. They offer temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct-hire placements across all levels of experience.
Your job search will be streamlined through their proprietary software system and personalized support team members who are experts at finding the right fit for each client. The company offers positions in healthcare, technology, and finance industries specifically because they’re known to pay more than average salaries while providing opportunities for career advancement.
A.S.G. Staffing
Industry(ies): Accounting and Finance, Food and Science, Legal, IT, Skilled Manufacturing, Healthcare, Marketing, Sales, Customer Service, HR.
Region(s): U.S. only.
A.S.G. Staffing has been a Chicago staffing agency since 2004 and is one of the top 30 staffing agencies in Chicago. The company offers full-service staffing services, including temporary and contract staffing services to its clients.
A.S.G., which stands for Alliance Solutions Group, works with clients to find them the best talent for their needs while helping employees find meaningful work opportunities that fit their skill set and interests, making it an ideal choice if you’re looking for a long-term career or just want to try out something new.
Elite Staffing Inc.
Industry(ies): Industrial and Clerical Staffing positions.
Region(s): U.S. only.
Elite Staffing is a staffing agency that specializes in placing professionals in permanent full-time positions. They are a member of the American Staffing Association and the National Association of Personnel Services.
Elite Staffing has an extensive office space, which allows for more than 20 people to work together at a time. The company was founded with the goal of helping others find jobs they love while also providing great service to their clients.
Sharp Staff Inc.
Industry(ies): General.
Region(s): U.S. only.
Sharp Staff Inc. is one of the leading staffing agencies in Chicago and around its suburbs. With over 20 years of experience in the staffing industry, Sharp Staff Inc. has built up a large client base that includes some of the best companies in the area. If you’re looking to take your career to the next level, working at one of these companies could be exactly what you need!
Overview of the Job Market in Chicago
Chicago is known for having strong economic growth, especially in its tech industry. According to Forbes, Chicago ranks second among North American cities for startup activity. It’s home to more than 1,600 startups and one-third of all venture capital funding in Illinois goes to these companies.
Chicago’s job market has seen an increase of over 1.8 percent since 2018 and is often credited as one of the fastest-growing economies in the United States.
Pros and Cons of Staffing Agencies
When you’re looking for work, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, know what you’re looking for: do you want temp jobs? contract-to-hire positions? or direct hire?
Next, know where your skills match up with the job description and requirements. Finally, if it’s a staffing agency that’s helping you out on this search, they should have already vetted the company hiring for safety and legality reasons.
All that said, however, some red flags to look out for in staffing agencies is to find out if they are genuine. There are so many staffing agencies in Chicago that it is difficult to differentiate the original from the fake ones trying to con people. We advise that you make adequate research on any of the staffing agencies in the cities you are looking to work in; whether these be healthcare staffing agencies, oil and gas, or teaching.
How Do You Know if a Staffing Agency is Legit?
- Check the company’s website. If it looks professional and well-designed, you’re on the right track. As a no-brainer, all the staffing agencies in Chicago on this list are certified as legitimate.
- Check the company’s Better Business Bureau rating (or BBB rating). These will give you an idea of how trustworthy a business is before you hire them for temporary or permanent staffing services in Chicago.
- Ask for references from past clients if possible; this can give you insight into how other companies have been treated by this agency.
- Ask questions about their contract or policies and procedures before signing anything. You want to know what terms and conditions apply to your employment situation so there are no surprises later down the line.
What are the Biggest Staffing Agencies in Chicago?
From our research, the biggest staffing agencies in Chicago are Robert Half, Adecco Group, and Express Employment Professionals.
Do Employment Agencies Really Help?
To the best of our knowledge, staffing agencies help. Many job seekers have found jobs using the services of most of these top staffing agencies. Some of the top agencies in Chicago are affiliated with the best companies in the world; so this makes it easy for top talents to get hired by any of these companies.
How to Choose a Staffing Agency
When you’re selecting a staffing agency, it is important to look at its reputation. A good staffing agency will have a good track record of helping their clients and treating their employees well. You should look for agencies that are well known in your industry, as this is likely an indication that they have been around for some time and know what they are doing.
Remember, if you do not see the name of a staffing agency on this list or any others, it does not necessarily mean that they are not good–like we said, there are over 40 staffing agencies in Chicago–but we have only listed the best staffing agencies in Chicago on our list. These agencies come highly recommended for job seekers and employers looking for their next best employment and hire, respectively.
How are Staffing Agencies Paid?
The way staffing agencies are paid varies from agency to agency, but there are three ways this can be done:
- By the client: Some companies hire staffing agencies to find the employees. These clients pay the agency a fee for their services and then usually get reimbursed by the employee once they’ve been hired (the reimbursement amount varies depending on what’s negotiated in the contract).
- By the employee: Other companies hire staffing agencies to find the employees who can do work for them on a temporary basis. In these cases, it’s likely that you’ll be paid by your new employer at least partially through your temporary assignment with them; however, sometimes these positions are considered long-term enough that you’re paid directly by the said company–and they still reimburse your agency.
- Both client and employee: Even though this isn’t too common nowadays due to advances in technology such as LinkedIn (and other job boards), some people still prefer more traditional methods of finding work—like asking friends’ recommendations or going door-to-door within their community looking for employment opportunities at local businesses.
Wrapping It Up
The staffing industry is an interesting one. It’s a place where large corporations and small businesses alike can find employees for temporary or permanent jobs. While many people think of staffing agencies as a last resort when searching for work, these agencies are often the gateway to new career opportunities and fresh starts.