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Your Trusted Recruitment Partner in the South East
At First Recruitment Services, we have dedicated ourselves to transforming recruitment experiences across the South East for over two decades. Our approach centres on placing both candidates and clients at the heart of every decision, ensuring tailored solutions that align with individual aspirations and business needs. With a team of seasoned professionals, we offer expert guidance throughout the recruitment journey, from CV preparation to interview success. Our independent, locally-rooted ethos enables us to deliver the personal touch that larger agencies often lack. Whether sourcing temporary staff or permanent leadership roles in sectors like hospitality, logistics, or management, we prioritise quality matches that benefit all parties. Our proven track record includes numerous industry accolades and long-standing partnerships with businesses relying on our ability to find skilled professionals.We combine deep regional knowledge with a commitment to evolving with market demands, ensuring our service remains relevant and effective. Client testimonials highlight our supportive team's impact on career development and operational success. Through offices in Brighton, Haywards Heath, Horsham, and Maidstone, we maintain a strong presence across Sussex, Surrey, and Kent. Our management team brings decades of combined experience, driving continuous improvement while maintaining the friendly, efficient service we promise. By focusing on relationships rather than transactions, we've built a reputation as one of the UK's top 100 recruitment agencies.
Services
Recruitment Consultancy
Temporary Staffing
Permanent Placements
CV Guidance
Interview Preparation
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of recruitment expertise across multiple industries
- Our dedicated experts provide personalised guidance throughout your recruitment journey
- We maintain equal treatment for all candidates regardless of experience level
- Our local knowledge ensures better matches for Sussex, Surrey & Kent businesses
- We guarantee ongoing support from application through to post-placement
What people say
Amazing service
Reliable recruitment agency
Great experiences
Proactive team
Successful placements
Services
Recruitment Consultancy
Our recruitment consultancy specialises in matching skilled professionals with temporary and permanent roles across multiple sectors. We work closely with both candidates and businesses to understand specific requirements, ensuring optimal placements that benefit all parties. With extensive local market knowledge and industry expertise, we streamline the hiring process while maintaining high standards of service quality.
Temporary Staffing
We provide flexible temporary staffing solutions to meet short-term business needs across Sussex, Surrey, and Kent. Our candidates undergo thorough vetting to ensure they meet industry requirements, giving clients confidence in our placements. From hospitality roles to logistics positions, we supply reliable workers who adapt quickly to different environments while maintaining professional standards.
Permanent Placements
Our permanent placement service connects businesses with long-term talent suited to their organisational culture and requirements. We conduct detailed assessments of both candidate capabilities and client expectations to achieve lasting matches. This service particularly benefits companies seeking management professionals or specialists requiring specific industry experience and proven track records.
CV Guidance
We offer expert CV guidance to enhance candidates' employability through professionally-optimised resumes. Our consultants provide tailored advice on presenting skills and experience effectively, ensuring applications stand out to potential employers. This service covers format improvements, keyword optimisation, and content structuring aligned with current industry expectations for various job sectors.
Interview Preparation
Our interview preparation service equips candidates with essential skills to succeed in job interviews. We provide practical advice on answering common questions, demonstrating key competencies, and presenting professional demeanour. Through mock interviews and feedback sessions, we help applicants build confidence and improve their chances of securing desired positions across multiple industries.
People
Michelle Merritt
Managing Director
With recruitment industry experience since 1998, Michelle leads FRS alongside two other successful agencies. She focuses on exceptional service delivery and business development while balancing global travel interests with theatre attendance.
Lara Love
Regional Director
Having joined FRS in 2006, Lara oversees team development and marketing initiatives. With 20 years recruitment experience, she balances her professional responsibilities with caring for her rescue dogs Misty and Nala.
Claire Sipple
Group Operations Director
Claire has spent a decade at FRS after 10 years in recruitment. She manages daily operations while enjoying family time with her granddaughter and pursuing marathon running in Kent's countryside.
Mark Smith
Recruitment Expert
Since joining FRS in 2002, Mark has earned industry awards for his placement achievements in Mid-Sussex. Known as '24/7', he balances family life with supporting Brighton & Hove Albion football matches.
Questions
What areas do you cover?
We operate across Sussex, Surrey, and Kent with offices in Brighton, Haywards Heath, Horsham, and Maidstone.
How do you match candidates with roles?
We consider skills, experience, and personal attributes alongside client requirements to ensure optimal, long-term matches.
What support do candidates receive?
We provide CV guidance, interview preparation, and ongoing support from application through to post-placement assistance.
How quickly can you fill positions?
Our efficient processes and extensive candidate network enable rapid placements while maintaining quality standards.
Do you work with all experience levels?
Yes, we support candidates from entry-level to senior management positions across various industries.
Reviews (3)
D. Sern
Mar 30, 2021
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Great experience from Mark, really perosnable didn't sound like an automated robot and really patient.
Steph
Dec 05, 2019
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They originally called me about a job!. Called back and asked to speak to Rebecca. Return call never happened! AVOID!
Anonymous
Oct 24, 2015
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The worst recruitment agency in a long time. Can't remember their clients, pay no attention to detail, sending constant messages and some that are repeated. A recruitment agency that can't even recruit.
