Graduate Recruitment Trainee

Handpicked Recruitment

Location: London

Base Salary: £30,000 base

First-year OTE: £35,000–£45,000

Contract: Permanent, full-time

Handpicked Recruitment is a boutique finance and accountancy recruitment business with an established network of clients and candidates across London and the wider UK market.

Founded by an experienced Chartered Certified Accountant, we combine genuine financial expertise with a personal, relationship-led approach. We work with organisations ranging from major listed groups and professional-services firms to entrepreneurial and fast-growing businesses.

We are looking for an ambitious graduate to join our team as a Recruitment Consultant. You do not need previous recruitment experience—we will give you the training, support and market knowledge needed to build a successful career.

Recruitment is a fast-paced, commercially focused career that brings together relationship building, business development and problem-solving.

You will learn how to manage the full recruitment process, from identifying talented finance professionals and understanding their career goals to advising clients and successfully completing placements.

From the outset, you will work alongside experienced recruiters and company directors. As your confidence and knowledge develop, you will take responsibility for your own candidates, clients and specialist area of the finance market.

You will:

• Identify and approach high-calibre finance and accountancy professionals
• Build trusted relationships with candidates throughout their careers
• Speak with clients to understand their businesses and recruitment requirements
• Source candidates through LinkedIn, job boards, referrals and our established network
• Conduct candidate interviews and assess skills, experience and career objectives
• Prepare compelling candidate profiles and shortlists
• Coordinate interviews and provide constructive feedback
• Support salary negotiations and manage offers
• Develop new client relationships through research, calls and meetings
• Maintain accurate information within the recruitment database
• Build your understanding of finance roles, qualifications and specialist markets
• Work towards clear activity, placement and revenue targets

We are interested in potential, attitude and ambition—not just previous experience.

You will ideally be:

• A graduate with a strong academic background
• Confident and comfortable communicating with new people
• Commercially aware and motivated by achieving results
• Curious, proactive and willing to learn
• Resilient enough to handle setbacks positively
• Organised and able to manage several priorities
• Professional, personable and trustworthy
• Motivated by responsibility, progression and financial reward
• Interested in business, finance or professional services

Experience in sales, customer service, hospitality, sport or another target-driven environment would be helpful but is not essential.

• A base salary of £27,000–£30,000, depending on experience
• A transparent performance-related commission scheme
• Realistic first-year earnings of £35,000–£45,000
• Structured training in recruitment, finance and business development
• Direct mentoring from experienced recruiters and company directors
• Access to an established client and candidate network
• Clear opportunities to progress to Senior Consultant, Manager and beyond
• Early responsibility and recognition for strong performance
• A collaborative, entrepreneurial working environment
• The opportunity to build a valuable professional network across the finance sector

If you are ambitious, personable and ready to take ownership of your career, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Please apply with your CV and a short introduction explaining why recruitment interests you and why you would like to join Handpicked Recruitment.

All applications and initial conversations will be treated in confidence.

Handpicked Recruitment is committed to equal opportunity and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds.