Independent Research — March 2026

Reputation Barometer
Belgian HR & Recruitment Sector

12 leading HR and recruitment firms assessed across 7 reputation dimensions.
How visible is your firm in the war for talent?

12 firms analysed
7 reputation dimensions
20+ public sources
By Willow Agency
Why this matters

Your employer brand determines who
wants to work with you.

The HR and recruitment sector itself faces a severe talent shortage — recruiters struggle to attract and retain talent. Firms that invest in their visibility as employers today are building a structural advantage and setting themselves apart in an increasingly competitive market.

75%
Talent shortage
Of HR and recruitment firms struggle to attract qualified recruiters and account managers — a critical gap in service delivery.
Federgon Belgium Staffing Report, 2025
88%
LinkedIn critical
Of recruiters and HR professionals use LinkedIn to source candidates. A strong LinkedIn presence directly impacts recruitment success.
LinkedIn Recruiter Market Report, 2026
50%
Lower cost per hire
Companies with a strong employer brand see a 50% reduction in cost per hire and attract 50% more qualified candidates.
SHRM & Vouch, 2026
Results

How visible is your firm?

Each firm is assessed across 7 dimensions and assigned a maturity level — from Starter to Frontrunner. Click on a firm to see its detailed profile and growth opportunities.

Select a firm to see its
reputation profile and growth plan
Maturity level:
Strong
Solid
Growing
Emerging
FirmComm.M.P.DigitalEmpl. Br.Thought L.Innov.MarketOverall

Robert Half leads with international credibility

Robert Half Belgium achieves Frontrunner status through a global brand, strong digital presence, and visible leadership from Jeroen Diels. International scale combined with local market knowledge creates a competitive advantage.

Randstad shows the scale advantage

Randstad Belgium's market position and digital infrastructure enable strong visibility. Yet managing partner visibility remains weak across the sector — a major opportunity for differentiation through leadership branding.

LinkedIn presence determines visibility

Firms with active LinkedIn strategies and engaged company pages outperform peers significantly. For a recruitment sector where LinkedIn is the primary tool, this gap is a critical vulnerability.

Employer branding: attract your own talent

Few staffing firms actively market themselves as employers. With a 75% talent shortage in the sector, the firms that showcase their culture, values, and team will win the recruiting war against each other.

Thought leadership attracts talent and clients

Recruiters seek advice from firms with visible expertise. Publishing insights on market trends, wage forecasts, and sector challenges builds trust with both candidates and client companies.

The gap between leaders and followers is closing

Without Big Four dominance, the sector is fragmented. Targeted investment in employer branding and digital presence can move a firm from Grower to Frontrunner within 12 months.

Methodology

Independent research. 7 dimensions.

Every assessment is based on concrete, traceable data points — from LinkedIn analytics to career page quality, from employer ratings to digital innovation. No firm was consulted or informed.

Selection criteria — why these 12 firms?
Every firm meets three criteria: (1) significant presence in Belgium via offices in major Belgian cities, (2) active as a staffing or recruitment services firm with meaningful operations in Belgium, and (3) focus on the Belgian market or broader European markets with Belgium as a key operation. This yielded 12 firms: 6 international staffing leaders and 6 independent Belgian firms.
01
Corporate Communication
Website quality, media coverage, awards & certifications, CSR communication
02
Managing Partner Reputation
LinkedIn presence, media appearances, speaking engagements, thought leadership
03
Digital Presence
LinkedIn company page, social media activity, content quality & engagement
04
Employer Branding
Career page, Glassdoor/Indeed ratings, employee testimonials, culture communication
05
Thought Leadership
Blog/insights, published reports, podcasts/webinars, expert media contributions
06
Innovation & Technology
Digital transformation communication, tech partnerships, recruitment tech platforms
07
Market Position
Revenue & employees, office network, service breadth, market growth trajectory
Maturity levels
Frontrunner Sector leader — strong across most dimensions
Builder Solid foundation — targeted investment can elevate further
Grower Growth potential — quick wins available in key areas
Starter Early stage — significant untapped opportunity
Personalised report

Request your firm's
detailed reputation report

Receive a personalised deep-dive into your firm's reputation profile — with detailed analysis per dimension, competitor benchmarks, and a concrete improvement plan.

  • Detailed scoring per dimension with evidence
  • Benchmark against direct competitors
  • Prioritised action plan with quick wins
  • Managing partner brand assessment
  • Digital presence audit with recommendations

Willow Agency brings communication strategy, sector expertise, and execution to make your firm visible to the talent that matters.

Thank you!

We'll send your personalised reputation report within 5 business days.

Sources & references

HR & Staffing Market

  • Federgon Belgium Staffing Report (2025)
  • VDAB Labour Market Analysis (2025)
  • Belgian labour market reports & statistics

Recruitment & Talent Sourcing

  • LinkedIn Recruiter Market Report (2026)
  • LinkedIn Belgium User Analytics (2026)
  • SHRM Recruitment Trends Report (2025-2026)

Employer Branding & Digital Presence

  • SHRM & Vouch, Employer Brand Statistics (2026)
  • Weber Shandwick, CEO Reputation Premium (2020)
  • GaggleAMP, Social Media Recruitment Survey (2024)

Firm-Specific Sources

  • LinkedIn company pages & managing partner profiles (Mar. 2026)
  • Glassdoor & Indeed company reviews and ratings (Mar. 2026)
  • Websites, career pages and annual reports of all 12 firms
  • Belgian media: De Tijd, Trends, L'Echo, Kanaal Z, HR magazines