CV Sourcing vs Recruitment Agencies: Which Works Better for Small UK Employers?
Finding staff quickly can be a nightmare for small UK businesses. Job boards take time, recruitment agencies charge hefty fees — and after all that, you’re still not guaranteed the right person. So what’s the smarter choice: a CV sourcing service or a traditional recruitment agency?
Let’s break it down.
What Is CV Sourcing?
CV sourcing is a streamlined hiring solution where you receive job-matched candidate CVs based on your role — without having to post ads or sift through piles of irrelevant applications.
At JobMatchedCVs.co.uk, we take your job brief and return up to 10 relevant CVs within 24–48 hours. No contracts, no hidden fees, and no job board chaos.
👉 Learn more about our CV sourcing service →
What Do Recruitment Agencies Do?
Recruitment agencies handle everything from advertising to shortlisting and, in some cases, interviewing. They can be helpful for niche roles or executive-level hires. But they also come with a big price tag — often charging 15–25% of the new hire’s annual salary.
They also typically take longer to deliver results, especially when working with multiple clients at once.
CV Sourcing vs Recruitment Agencies: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | CV Sourcing Service | Recruitment Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | £55–£100 per order | £2,000+ per placement |
| Speed | 24–48 hours | 1–4 weeks |
| Control | You shortlist and decide | Agency screens and decides |
| Best for | Fast admin, retail, logistics | Senior or specialist roles |
| Commitment | None – pay-as-you-go | Often requires agreements |
Which Option Is Best for Small Businesses?
If you’re hiring for a straightforward role like admin, customer service, warehouse, or retail — and you need candidates fast — CV sourcing is usually the better fit.
It’s affordable, fast, and puts you in control of who you contact or interview. You get relevant CVs in your inbox without spending hours posting job ads or chasing recruiters.
Start Hiring Smarter
Not every hire needs a recruiter. Sometimes, you just need solid candidates — fast — without the middleman.
That’s exactly what our CV sourcing service offers:
- No ads
- No fees
- Just matched CVs delivered directly to you
👉 Get started now – 10 job-matched CVs for just £55 →
What is a CV sourcing service?
A CV sourcing service delivers job-matched CVs to employers based on the role and requirements, without the need for posting ads or using recruitment agencies.
Is CV sourcing better than using a recruitment agency?
For small businesses that need to hire quickly and affordably, yes. CV sourcing gives you relevant candidates fast — often within 24–48 hours — and at a fraction of the cost.
Who should use a CV sourcing service?
It’s ideal for small business owners, HR teams, and recruiters who want to fill roles like admin, warehouse, customer service, or retail jobs without relying on job boards or agency contracts.
Get CVs from just 