Top 5 Markets to Target in the Global Recruitment Industry 

New American Fortune 500 Companies Hiring in the US May Rely on Recruitment Agencies  

New American Fortune 500 companies refer to businesses within the Fortune 500 list that were founded by immigrants or their children.  

According to the American Immigration Council’s 2023 report, 44.8% of Fortune 500 companies fall into this category, underscoring the significant role immigrants and their descendants play in the US economy.   

This substantial presence of immigrant-founded companies highlights the demand and opportunities for foreign entrepreneurs to establish businesses in America.   

The success of these enterprises demonstrates the US market’s receptiveness to diverse perspectives and innovations brought by immigrants, encouraging foreign businesses to consider setting up operations in the US.  

New American Fortune 500 companies employ over 15.5 million people worldwide. In the US, six states alone account for 7.15 million employees, making up 46.15% of this total workforce:  

• New York: 1.93 million employees  

• California: 1.58 million employees  

• Illinois: 1.16 million employees  

• Virginia: 1.05 million employees  

• Texas: 1.05 million employees  

• Florida: 358,446 employees  

With six states accounting for nearly half of total global employment from New American Fortune 500 companies, the US stands out as one of the best markets for recruitment agencies to target in the global recruitment industry.  

High US Salaries, Higher Placement Fees  

One of the standout reasons the US should be a key market to target in the global recruitment industry is its high salary potential, particularly in industries like management occupations which have highest median annual wage in the US of $107,360 according to Statista.   

Tech hubs such as Silicon Valley and Austin push these figures even higher, making the US an attractive destination for agencies looking to place top talent in high-paying roles.  

For recruitment leaders, this translates to larger placement fees and higher margins. According to our North America database, staffing agencies who operate in the US typically charge fees between 25-45% on average per contract placement.  

Make Fast Placements Due to Shorter US Notice Periods  

The “at-will” employment structure in the US means that employers can hire or terminate employees at any time, for any reason, as long as it’s not illegal. This gives recruitment agencies more flexibility when matching talent to businesses.  

Additionally, at-will employment means US workers can transition into jobs quickly with little notice periods. This enables recruitment agencies who operate in the US to make faster placements and generate revenue more quickly.    

The rapid timescale of employment turnaround is a big reason why the US is on the radar as a market to target for business leaders in the global recruitment industry.   

Popular Sectors to Target in the US Job Market  

Another reason why the US is a top market to target within the global recruitment industry is due to the high number of job openings. On average, in 2024, job openings ranged from 8.75 to 7.7 million per month according to Statista.   In December 2024, temporary jobs in the US increased by 5,300, as reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.   

There are key  sectors in the US that are experiencing growth and therefore may be worthy targeting if you are considering recruiting in the US, including IT and engineering.   

IT   

The overall IT services market in the US is expected to generate $550.3 billion in revenue by 2025 according to Statista.  To highlight the scale of the US IT staffing market, Staffing Industry Analysts reported that the US’ IT temporary staffing sector reached $44 billion in 2023, accounting for 32% of the region’s revenue in the professional temporary staffing market  

Popular IT roles to recruit in   

Before you start recruiting in the US IT sector, you must research the in-demand roles.  A Gartner survey of 2,450 CIOs found that 80% expect increased investment in cybersecurity, making it the top area of focus.    

According to Staffing Industry Analyst ‘s, popular temporary IT roles for placements include:   

• Software developers  

• Cybersecurity experts  

• Data analysts  

• Cloud architects  

• AI specialists  

 As US businesses continue to prioritise technology investments, the federal government has allocated $76.8 billion for IT spending across civilian federal agencies in fiscal year 2025, according to Washington Technology.   

Additionally, major tech companies such as Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and Alphabet plan to invest over $300 billion in AI infrastructure in 2025, as reported by the Financial Times.  These substantial investments underscore the US as a key market for recruitment agencies within the global recruitment industry.    

Engineering  

According to the ACEC Research Institute, the Engineering and Design Services industry in the US generated $436 billion in direct revenue in 2023. However, its overall contribution to the US GDP was higher at $656 billion, reflecting the industry’s wider economic impact.   

This includes supply chain activities, job creation, and spending generated by engineering projects, which drive further growth across multiple sectors.  

As demand for engineering expertise grows in the US, so does the need for flexible talent solutions. Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) reports that in 2023, the 30 US engineering staffing firms evaluated in their report generated $7.4 billion in revenue, accounting for 78% of the total US engineering staffing market.   

The engineering temporary staffing sector is also projected to see steady growth, with an 3% increase forecast for 2024 and 6% expected by 2025, according to SIA.   

With the engineering industry expanding and businesses increasingly relying on temporary staffing to meet project demands, recruitment agencies have an opportunity to connect top engineering talent with clients hiring for key projects across the US.  

Popular Engineering roles in the US  

According to SIA, the demand for specialised engineering talent in the US continues to grow. This presents key opportunities for staffing agencies to place high skilled professionals with clients hiring popular roles such as:  

• Electrical engineers  

• Mechanical engineers  

• Automation engineers  

• Solar power engineers  

• Telecom engineers  

According to the ACEC Research Institute’s Economic Assessment Forecast 2024, technological innovations are transforming the US engineering sector, creating new opportunities across renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and digital infrastructure.  

For instance, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected that engineering employment grew by approximately 3% in 2024, adding roughly 20,000 jobs across various engineering disciplines.  

Top Companies Hiring Employees in the US  

The US continues to be a leading market to target in the global recruitment industry due to the number of major companies investing and hiring within the US.  

• SPC Group, for example, is set to invest $160 million in its largest overseas production plant in the US.  

• Foxconn is also making a significant commitment, dedicating NT$11.3 billion  to its US subsidiaries.   

• Avina Clean Hydrogen is backing a sustainable aviation fuel project in southwest Illinois with an $820 million investment, further boosting the US clean energy sector.  

• Micron Technology is investing $2.17 billion to expand its operation in Manassas, Virginia, driven by the growing demand for tech infrastructure.  

These investments highlight a clear trend that global companies are recognising the US as a prime market for growth and innovation. They likely will be hiring as they invest more within this market, making it a prime market to target in the global recruitment industry  

Competitive Salaries in Japan   

High salaries across key sectors make Japan an attractive market to target within the global recruitment industry.   According to Morgan McKinley roles like DevOps Engineers command annual salaries between $54,160 (¥8,000,000) and $101,550 (¥15,000,000) while IT Engineers and creative professionals also enjoy premium wages.  

Another advantage of making placements in Japan is historic wage hikes averaging 5.1% in 2024, the highest since 2002.  This upward trend in Japanese wages provides recruitment agencies with an opportunity to secure higher margins and increase profitability if they place talent with clients in Japan.  

High demand for IT professionals in Japan  

The demand for IT talent in Japan, including software developers, cybersecurity experts, and AI specialists, is rapidly growing. As Japan invests in digital infrastructure, these roles are essential for companies looking to innovate.  

The IT sector continues to expand in Japan, driven by advancements in digital transformation and a focus on cybersecurity.  This growth necessitates a steady influx of both permanent and contract professionals to manage and implement new technologies  

Engineering roles are in demand in Japan    

Infrastructure projects and technological innovation are fueling demand for engineers across various disciplines in Japan. Popular roles to recruit within engineering in Japan include civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering.  

 Recruitment agencies can capitalise on the growing demand for engineers in Japan by sourcing qualified candidates for hiring companies in both permanent positions and project-based contracts.  

Flexible Work Preferences 

Remote and hybrid work models are in high demand, with many job seekers prioritising flexibility. Agencies should focus on promoting roles offering these options to attract top talent.  According to reports by Statista, 20.2% of businesses in Japan have embraced fully remote or hybrid work arrangements.  

Rise of Contracting and Gig Work in Japan 

The rise of contracting and gig roles in Japan marks a major shift from its traditional lifetime employment model.  While permanent positions were once the norm, temporary staffing legislation in the 1990s paved the way for temporary employment to grow.  

Today, businesses increasingly rely on contract and temporary workers to adapt to market fluctuations and technological advancements, fueling demand for flexible staffing solutions.  

In 2024 according to a survey by Hays, 51% of employers in Japan reported employing temporary or contract staff on a regular, ongoing basis the highest percentage in Asia.  Additionally, 26% of employers anticipated increasing their use of temporary or contract staff over the next 12 months.  

Top Locations to Recruit in Japan  

According to JETRO, (Japanese governmental organisation) research, Japan’s key cities for industry-specific recruitment include:  

• Tokyo and the Kanto Region – Japan’s economic hub, home to 90% of the consulting and advertising industry, with a lower concentration in automobiles (25%).  

• Osaka and the Kansai Region – A major center for pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and tech, with strong commercial activity.  

• Nagoya and the Chūkyō–Tōkai Region – The core of Japan’s automotive industry, hosting manufacturers like Toyota and key supply chains.   

The Biggest Growth Sector in Germany   

If you are considering recruiting in the fourth largest market within the global recruitment industry, Germany’s tech sector is worth targeting. Germany’s IT market expected to reach $129 billion by 2025.   

To further showcase the opportunity to recruit in IT in Germany, The STEM Report 2023 by the Cologne Institute for Economic Research highlighted a significant shortage of STEM professionals in Germany, with a gap of over 120,000 unfilled positions. This highlights an opportunity for recruitment agencies to help German companies source high quality IT professionals.   

 If you’re considering making placements in Germany, IT roles anticipated it be in high demand include:  

• DevOps engineers  

• Data scientists  

• Cloud experts  

Starting salaries for developers begin at €43,000, presenting clear opportunities for recruitment agencies looking to break into the global recruitment industry.   

Moreover, the development of the AI sector is further fueling IT growth in Germany, who led the way in ‘workforce AI literacy’. New research indicates more than half of business leaders in Germany are helping their workforce become more AI-literate. 

Other In Demand Sectors for Recruitment in Germany   

Renewable Energy  

Germany continues to be a driving force in the clean tech sector, with significant investment in sustainable technologies.  In 2023, the country invested $89.12 billion in clean technologies, representing 29% of total EU investment. 

As clean technology manufacturing capacity grows, so do job opportunities. For example, in the EU’s heat pump sector, around 161,000 people are employed, with an average of six jobs created for every thousand units of heat pump manufacturing capacity.    

With nearly one-third of EU investment set to go toward renewables and battery storage, potentially reaching , recruitment agencies have a prime opportunity to support businesses hiring in this growing industries. $5.68 trillion by 2050, recruitment agencies have a prime opportunity to support businesses hiring in this growing industries.  

Engineering and Manufacturing  

The German manufacturing sector, centered on autos, industrials, and chemicals, has been a key growth engine for Europe. Volkswagen alone has contributed almost 8% to German GDP, with BMW and Mercedes each contributing around 3.5%.   

Highlighting their critical economic importance to the German economy. This presents a key opportunity for recruitment agencies to target major companies in these sectors, as they are likely to be actively hiring skilled professionals.  

In fact, manufacturing represents around 22% of Germany’s total economic output, making it a central pillar of employment and industrial growth.  Germany’s manufacturing sector is driving much of the country’s economic output, and is the largest in Europe. 

With ongoing innovation and expansion in electric vehicles and autonomous driving technologies, the demand for skilled professionals in automotive engineering and production continues to grow.  

For recruitment agencies in the global recruitment industry, this offers significant opportunities to place top talent in a thriving market.  

Renewable energy   

The renewable energy sector in France is growing, fueled by supportive regulations and a push for sustainability.  Renewable energy remains a standout in France, with the government’s pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 creating significant demand for engineers and technicians in solar and wind energy projects.  

According to Statista, solar energy, particularly photovoltaic systems, is becoming more popular in Fance as homeowners seek lower energy costs and environmental benefits.   

Electric vehicle adoption is also rising in France, with more charging stations in cities. This shift supports France’s goal to reduce emissions and transition to a low-carbon economy, creating new opportunities for businesses in the industry.   This influx of investment in renewable energy projects in France, fuels demand for skilled professionals that operate within this area.  

IT  

In 2025, France’s IT Services market is projected to reach $65.55 billion in revenue, with IT Outsourcing accounting for $27.90 billion of that total. This market is expected to grow at a steady compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.70% from 2025 to 2029, reaching $78.77 billion by 2029.   

The French tech ecosystem has grown into a powerhouse, hosting over 25,000 startups across sectors like deep tech, healthcare, and biotech.  This thriving environment has created 1 million jobs and produced a growing pipeline of unicorns in France, including;   

• Neoen (valued at $11.4 billion with $75M in funding)  

• Mistral AI  (valued at $6.4 billion with $1.1B in funding)   

• Back Market (valued at $5.7 billion with $1B in funding)  

Initiatives like French Tech Next40 and French Tech 120 have positioned France as a prominent European innovation hub for tech. Therefore, if your recruitment agency specialises within tech recruitment, France is a worthy market to target within the global recruitment industry.     

France’s Expanding Job Market and Highly Skilled Workforce Demand  

By 2035, employment opportunities in France are expected to surpass the EU-27 average, with the labor force projected to expand by 5.5%.  The rise in high-skilled job openings highlighted in this report creates a strong opportunity for recruitment agencies expanding into new markets.  

The report also projects that by 2035, 67% of job openings in France will require high-level qualifications, 11 percentage points higher than the EU-27 average.   

According to the Skills Forecast Report, 18.1 million new jobs are expected during this period, with high-skilled, non-manual occupations making up 55% of openings. This highlights growing demand for skilled professionals across key industries.