At a Glance
- Tasks: Become a specialist in recruitment, building relationships and managing processes from start to finish.
- Company: Edmund & Evans, a leading recruitment firm with a focus on graduate placements.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £30,000–£35,000 plus uncapped commission and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with regular socials and leadership opportunities.
- Why this job: Launch your career with structured training and clear progression towards high earnings.
- Qualifications: Graduating in 2026 with strong communication skills and a competitive mindset.
The predicted salary is between 27450 - 33550 £ per year.
Graduating in 2026 and looking for a commercial career with strong training, clear progression and genuine earning potential? Edmund & Evans partner with a select group of established recruitment and executive search firms across London. We’re currently hiring ambitious graduates for 2026 Graduate Recruitment Consultant and Trainee Recruitment Consultant opportunities across a range of specialist markets. These are not generic graduate schemes. You’ll join a professional recruitment business, receive structured training and develop the commercial skills needed to build a long-term career.
What’s in it for you?
- £30,000–£35,000 starting salary
- Uncapped commission
- Up to £80,000+ first-year OTE
- Structured graduate training programmes
- One-to-one mentoring from experienced consultants
- Clear promotion targets and regular progression reviews
- Hybrid working opportunities
- Company holidays and incentive trips
- Lunch clubs and performance incentives
- Gym and wellness benefits
- Pension scheme
- Modern London offices
- Regular team events and socials
- Leadership and management opportunities as you progress
The opportunity
As a Graduate Recruitment Consultant, you’ll be trained to become a specialist within your chosen market. Recruitment combines sales, business development, relationship management, negotiation and market knowledge. Rather than following a fixed corporate graduate programme, your progression is largely based on your development and performance. You’ll work with experienced recruiters, managers and directors who will teach you how to build relationships with candidates and clients, develop your own market and eventually manage recruitment processes from start to finish. For ambitious graduates, this can provide a clear route from trainee level into senior consulting, management and leadership positions.
What will you be doing?
- Source and engage high-quality candidates
- Build relationships with clients and hiring managers
- Interview and assess candidates
- Understand businesses and their hiring requirements
- Manage recruitment processes from start to finish
- Negotiate salaries, fees and job offers
- Develop new client relationships
- Build your own professional network
- Become a specialist within your chosen market
You won’t be expected to know how to do this on day one. Our partner businesses invest heavily in training and development, giving graduates the support needed to learn the role properly.
Specialist markets
Opportunities are available across a range of established and high-growth sectors, including:
- Technology
- Financial Services
- Executive Search
- Hedge Funds & Investment Management
- Legal
- Life Sciences
- Construction
- Renewable Energy
- Professional Services
Depending on the market, recruitment fees can range from £10,000 to £100,000+ per placement, which is one of the reasons specialist recruitment can offer significant long-term earning potential.
Training and development
Graduate training varies between our partner firms but can include:
- Structured onboarding and graduate training
- One-to-one mentoring
- Sales and negotiation training
- Candidate sourcing and headhunting
- Business development coaching
- Market and sector training
- Client relationship management
- Regular progression reviews
- Leadership development as you progress
No previous recruitment experience is required.
What are we looking for?
These opportunities are best suited to graduates who are ambitious, commercially minded and comfortable working in a performance-led environment. You’ll ideally have:
- A degree or be graduating in 2026
- Strong communication skills
- A competitive mindset
- Good work ethic
- Commercial awareness
- Confidence speaking with new people
- Resilience and determination
- A willingness to learn and take feedback
- Motivation to progress and increase your earnings
Previous experience in sales, hospitality, customer service, sport, fundraising, business development or positions of responsibility can be useful, but it isn’t essential.
Why recruitment?
Recruitment offers something many traditional graduate careers cannot: a clear connection between your performance, progression and earnings. Successful consultants can progress quickly, take ownership of major client relationships and build valuable expertise within sectors such as technology, financial services and executive search. Across our partner firms, realistic earning potential can grow significantly as you become established. Some consultants progress to six-figure earnings within the first few years, although individual earnings will always depend on performance, market and commission structure.
About Edmund & Evans
Edmund & Evans specialise in placing graduates and early-career professionals into carefully selected recruitment businesses. In 2025, we placed 56 graduates and trainee recruitment consultants, with 95% still employed and progressing within the industry today. We are selective about the businesses we represent. We look for firms that offer genuine training, supportive leadership, strong markets and clear opportunities for long-term career progression. Our role is to understand what you’re looking for and introduce you to opportunities where we believe there is a genuine fit.
Apply today
If you’re graduating in 2026 and considering Graduate Recruitment Consultant jobs in London, Trainee Recruitment Consultant roles, Graduate Sales jobs, Graduate Executive Search opportunities or entry-level recruitment jobs, apply today. Edmund & Evans will speak with shortlisted applicants about the different opportunities available across our London partner firms and help you understand which type of recruitment business and market could suit you best.
Trainee Recruitment Consultant - Graduate Entry in London employer: Edmund & Evans Careers
Edmund & Evans is an exceptional employer for graduates seeking a dynamic career in recruitment, offering a competitive starting salary and uncapped commission potential. With a strong focus on structured training, one-to-one mentoring, and clear progression pathways, employees are empowered to develop their skills and advance into leadership roles within a supportive and vibrant work culture in London. The company also promotes a healthy work-life balance through hybrid working options, regular team events, and wellness benefits, making it an attractive choice for ambitious individuals looking to thrive in a rewarding environment.
Contact Details:
Edmund & Evans Careers Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Trainee Recruitment Consultant - Graduate Entry in London
✨Get Involved in Recruitment Communities
Join local or online recruitment forums and LinkedIn groups. Places like these are buzzing with opportunities and insights, so make your voice heard. Engaging with experienced recruiters can give you insider tips and even lead to hidden job openings at companies like Edmund & Evans Careers.
✨Attend Talent Acquisition Events
Keep an eye out for industry events, workshops, and career fairs related to recruitment. These gatherings are perfect for meeting hiring managers and recruiters face-to-face, giving you a chance to shine with your personality and enthusiasm for the role at Edmund & Evans Careers.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’re currently at uni, don’t forget to tap into your career services. They often have connections with companies looking for trainees, plus they can help you prepare for interviews specific to talent acquisition roles.
✨Perfect Your Elevator Pitch
When you apply for trainee roles, such as the one at Edmund & Evans Careers, be ready to showcase your passion for recruiting in a concise elevator pitch. Tailor this pitch to highlight your interest in their values and how you can contribute, making a memorable impression even when it’s just a brief chat.
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Recruitment Consultant - Graduate Entry in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your People Skills:As a budding recruiter, it’s important to showcase your people skills in your application. Make sure to highlight any past experiences where you’ve engaged with others, like volunteering, event organising, or even group projects. We want to see how you connect with people and understand their needs!
Tailor Your CV for Talent Acquisition:When you're drafting your CV, focus on relevant experiences that can relate to talent acquisition, such as internships in HR or involvement in recruitment activities at university. Mention any coursework related to psychology or communication that shows you're equipped to understand candidates effectively. This isn't just about what you've done; it's about showing us you get how recruitment works!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to reveal your motivation for joining us at Edmund & Evans Careers as a Trainee in Talent Acquisition. Share why you're passionate about recruitment - maybe you love helping people find their dream jobs or want to play a part in shaping a company culture. Show us the person behind the application!
Highlight Your Learning Potential:Since this is a trainee role, we’re not just looking for loads of experience. Focus on your willingness to learn and adapt. If you've taken any online courses or attended workshops that relate to recruitment or HR, be sure to mention them. We're keen to see how you plan to grow with us and contribute to the team at Edmund & Evans Careers.
How to prepare for a job interview at Edmund & Evans Careers
✨Show Your Passion for People
As a trainee in talent acquisition, it’s crucial to demonstrate your enthusiasm for connecting with candidates and understanding what makes them tick. Be ready to share any experiences (even if they're just from university or volunteering) where you’ve successfully engaged with different people. This shows that you're not just ticking boxes but genuinely interested in recruiting!
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Familiarity with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and recruitment platforms like LinkedIn is a must. Brush up on how these tools work and any specifics you can bring to the table. During the interview, you might even be asked about how you would use these tools to streamline the recruitment process at Edmund & Evans Careers.
✨Prepare for Role-Playing Scenarios
Don’t be surprised if the interview includes some role-playing exercises. You might be asked to conduct a mock interview or respond to a candidate query. Practising this with a friend can help. Remember, it's all about demonstrating your interpersonal skills and ability to assess candidates effectively, even at this trainee level!
✨Show Initiative and Learning Willingness
As a trainee, employers are looking for your potential and eagerness to learn. Make sure you express how you’ve researched talent acquisition, any challenges you've tackled, and what you hope to gain from your time at Edmund & Evans Careers. Your motivation can go a long way in making a strong impression in the interview.