What is rec 2 rec?
Rec 2 rec — recruitment to recruitment — is a recruiter who places other recruiters. If you work in agency recruitment, or you're thinking about joining, a rec 2 rec agency is how you find the right desk without gambling on a job ad.
A recruiter for recruiters.
A rec 2 rec agency (also written rec 2 rec, rec 2 rec, or recruitment to recruitment) specialises in one thing: moving recruitment professionals between agencies. That means consultants, billers, team leads, managers, GMs and agency directors — not the candidates those recruiters place.
Think of it this way: if a tech recruiter places software engineers, a rec 2 rec places that tech recruiter into the right agency for their next move.
The service is free to the recruiter. The hiring agency pays the rec 2 rec fee, just like any other recruitment placement.
The process, step by step.
1. You reach out (or we find you). You might contact a rec 2 rec agency directly, or a rec 2 rec consultant might approach you through LinkedIn or a referral. Either way, the first conversation is about understanding what you want from your next move.
2. Market briefing. A good rec 2 rec doesn't just send you job specs. They tell you which agencies are growing, which are contracting, what the comp plans really look like (not just the advertised base), and which desks to avoid. This is the intelligence that separates a proper rec 2 rec from a CV forwarder.
3. Shortlist and introductions. Based on what you want — sector, seniority, culture, location, comp — the rec 2 rec introduces you to agencies that genuinely fit. Not a mass mailout; targeted, warm introductions where they've already briefed the hiring manager.
4. Interview prep and negotiation. They prep you for the interview (because interviewing at an agency is different from interviewing candidates), then handle offer negotiation and counter-offer conversations.
5. You start. The agency pays the rec 2 rec fee. You pay nothing.
What a good rec 2 rec gives you that a job board doesn't.
Unadvertised roles.
Many agencies hire through rec 2 rec before posting publicly. You see roles that never hit SEEK or LinkedIn.
Honest intel.
Which agencies have good culture, which comp plans actually pay out, and which desks quietly churn through billers. A rec 2 rec who knows the market tells you what a careers page won't.
Negotiation leverage.
A rec 2 rec knows the going rate for your level and specialism, and handles the comp conversation so you don't have to lowball yourself or guess.
Career guidance.
The right desk now compounds over years. A rec 2 rec who's placed hundreds of recruiters can tell you which move sets you up for the long run, not just the next quarter.
How to pick a good rec 2 rec agency.
Not all rec 2 rec agencies are equal. Here's what separates the good ones from the CV-forwarding machines:
They know the market, not just the vacancies. Ask them about comp plans, agency culture, and management style at the places they're recommending. If they can't answer in detail, they're just matching keywords.
They'll tell you where not to go. A rec 2 rec that only talks up every agency doesn't have your interest at heart. The best ones will actively steer you away from desks that don't fit — even if they have a fee on the line.
They specialise. The best rec 2 recs focus on specific markets and know them desk by desk. Start Group, for example, focuses exclusively on the Australian and New Zealand agency market — it's all we do.
They have proof. Look for reviews, industry recognition, and repeat placements. We're the 3× NSW Rec2Rec Agency of the Year with 82 verified reviews on SEEK (4.98 out of 5) — that's the kind of track record to look for.
Rec 2 rec by city.
The rec 2 rec landscape differs city by city. Here's our market-by-market read:
Rec 2 rec Sydney.
Our home market and Australia's largest. The deepest concentration of agencies in the country, from global brands to single-desk boutiques.
Sydney rec 2 rec guide →
Rec 2 rec Melbourne.
Australia's second market with a genuinely different character — strong in tech, government and professional services.
Melbourne rec 2 rec guide →
Rec 2 rec Brisbane.
A fast-growing market expanding ahead of South-East Queensland's boom, strong in construction, healthcare and government.
Brisbane rec 2 rec guide →
Rec 2 rec Perth.
A resources-led market with its own rhythm — recruitment here moves with mining, energy and major projects.
Perth rec 2 rec guide →
Rec 2 rec for every stage of your career.
New to recruitment? If you're a career changer, graduate or coming from sales or hospitality, Start In Recruitment matches you to agencies that hire and train rookies well — and tells you which ones don't.
Experienced recruiter? Whether you're a consultant, senior biller, team lead or manager, we know which desks are worth your next move and which comp plans actually pay out. See live roles.
Relocating from the UK or Ireland? Start In Australia handles the visa, the sponsor-ready agency shortlist, and the suburb-and-salary guide for your first 90 days.
Agency owner? If you want every seat filled and your team trained, Start Training is a 6 or 12 month retainer — no success fees, ever.
Rec 2 rec questions, answered.
What does rec 2 rec mean?
Who pays the rec 2 rec fee?
Is rec 2 rec worth using?
How is rec 2 rec different from applying directly?
What level of recruiter does rec 2 rec cover?
Does rec 2 rec work outside Sydney?
A straight answer on your next move.
Fifteen minutes. We'll tell you which desks are worth it, which ones to avoid, and what your level actually pays right now.