National Careers Week (NCW) is here again, shining a light on career development, opportunities, and the many different paths people can take in their working lives. Traditionally, NCW is all about helping people land their next job. But in 2025, there’s a bigger conversation happening—one that goes beyond job hunting.
What if the best career move isn’t just finding another role, but starting something of your own?
At Key Selection Investments, we work with experienced recruitment professionals who are ready to take the next step in their careers—by running their own businesses. More people than ever are stepping away from traditional employment to build something for themselves, and if you’ve ever thought about it, now might be the perfect time.
The Rise of Recruitment Entrepreneurship
The world of work is shifting. Flexibility, independence, and ownership are becoming top priorities for professionals across industries, and recruitment is no exception.
A recent Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) study found that 34% of recruiters are considering launching their own agency in the next five years. The number of recruitment start-ups has been growing steadily—up 17% year-on-year since 2021, according to APSCo.
Why? Because professionals are rethinking what they want from their careers. A 2024 LinkedIn Workforce Trends report revealed that 73% of professionals now value flexibility more than salary increases. That’s a huge shift from the traditional idea that climbing the corporate ladder is the only way forward.
Recruitment professionals, in particular, are realising that instead of building someone else’s business, they could be growing their own.
Why More Recruiters Are Going Solo
We speak to recruiters every day who are stepping away from traditional agencies and taking the leap into business ownership. Here’s why:
1️⃣ More Control Over Earnings
Recruiters working for big firms often take home a small fraction of the fees they generate. Running your own agency means you keep a much bigger share of the profits. Many of our equity partners at Key Selection Investments report a 40% increase in take-home earnings within their first two years of business ownership.
2️⃣ Work-Life Balance That Actually Works
The standard 9-to-5 (or let’s be honest, 8-to-6) isn’t for everyone. A 2024 LinkedIn report found that work-life balance has now overtaken salary as the number one career priority. When you run your own recruitment business, you set your own hours, choose your clients, and have more freedom over how and where you work.
3️⃣ Focusing on a Niche You Actually Care About
A 2024 APSCo survey found that 61% of new recruitment agencies focus on a specific niche—from tech to engineering, finance to healthcare. Many recruiters feel stuck working roles they don’t enjoy in generalist agencies. Running your own business means choosing an industry that excites you and building a brand around it.
4️⃣ The Barriers to Starting a Business Are Lower Than Ever
Years ago, launching a recruitment agency meant dealing with hefty financial risks, complex compliance, and endless admin. But today, investment partners like Key Selection Investments make the process far more accessible by providing:
Funding to cover startup costs and help you scale
Back-office support to handle payroll, legal compliance, and admin
Strategic guidance to grow your client base and build a profitable business
Instead of struggling to do everything yourself, you get the support you need to focus on what you do best—placing great candidates and building relationships with clients.
National Careers Week: A Time to Think Bigger
National Careers Week is all about exploring career possibilities. For some, that means looking for a new job. For others, it’s about something bigger—building a career that puts them in control.
If you’re an experienced recruiter who’s thought about running your own business, this might be the sign you’ve been waiting for. The demand for niche, specialist recruitment agencies is growing, and with the right support, there’s never been a better time to take the leap.
At Key Selection Investments, we help recruiters turn their expertise into successful businesses. If you’re ready to find out how it could work for you, we’d love to have a chat.
Sources
Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC), 2024: Industry research on recruitment start-ups and market trends.
LinkedIn Workforce Trends Report, 2024: Data on professionals prioritising flexibility over salary.
APSCo Recruitment Market Insights, 2024: Statistics on niche recruitment businesses and start-up growth.
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