HR Recruiting and Staffing Agency
Spectrum Careers is an HR staffing agency for employers in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia. We fill HR and recruiting roles on a direct hire, contract or contract-to-hire basis.
Direct hires backed by a candidate guarantee. HR and recruiting roles, from coordinator to director. Contract, contract-to-hire and direct hire.
30
Years serving the DMV
200+
Consultants placed in 2026
3.5
Average days to start for urgent onboards
1000+
Companies supported
HR roles we recruit for
HR generalists, recruiters, HR business partners, HRIS analysts and HR leaders for teams of every size.
HR generalists
Generalists who handle employee relations, onboarding, policies, leave and day-to-day HR.
HR managers
Managers who run the HR function, coach supervisors and keep policies and compliance current.
HR business partners
HRBPs who work with department leaders on workforce planning, performance and organization changes.
HR directors & leadership
HR directors and senior HR leaders who set people strategy and build the HR team.
Talent acquisition
Recruiters, sourcers and talent acquisition managers who fill your pipeline and run your hiring process.
HR coordinators & assistants
Coordinators and assistants for onboarding, scheduling, records and HR administration.
Compensation & benefits
Compensation analysts and benefits specialists for pay structures, open enrollment and benefits administration.
HRIS
HRIS analysts and administrators who manage HR systems, data, reporting and payroll integrations.
Don’t see the role you need?
Share the work you need done. We’ll help define the role and find the right person.
How our HR recruitment agency works
A project plan for every search, from the first call to the hire.
Scope the role
We discuss the responsibilities, required experience, team and timeline to build a search plan around your needs.
Search the market
We reach active and passive candidates through direct outreach and a network built over 30 years.
Meet a shortlist
You interview a few strong candidates who fit the role and your culture.
Hire with confidence
We help with references, testing and background checks, and back your hire with a candidate guarantee.
HR recruiters for your industry
HR looks different in every industry. We find people who already know yours.
Government Contracting
HR staff who know contractor hiring, onboarding and compliance, including roles that need a clearance.
Real Estate
HR support for property and real estate firms with teams spread across many sites.
Financial Services
HR teams for investment firms and lenders, where compliance and confidentiality matter.
Nonprofit
HR generalists and leaders who can do more with a lean team and a tight budget.
Other industries
We fill roles in the DC area’s other industries too. Tell us about yours.
Why employers use a specialized HR staffing agency
Spectrum Careers is a boutique firm headquartered in the DC area. We recruit accounting, finance, HR and IT professionals, so the people working on your search know the roles and the local market.
Account managers who know your industry
Each account manager focuses on an industry, so they bring market insight, salary knowledge and a network of people who have done the job.
Recruiters who reach passive candidates
Our recruiters make the phone calls that reach strong HR professionals who aren’t answering job ads.
A shortlist, not a stack of resumes
We narrow the field to a few candidates who want to work for you and fit your culture, then arrange the conversations discreetly.
In a published client testimonial, the VP of Hilton Worldwide’s Human Resources Consulting Group says they have worked with Spectrum for more than 10 years and have used the firm for both direct hire and contract work.
Let’s Get Started
Tell us about the role you need to fill.
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A member of the team replies within one business day. No obligation.
Frequently asked questions
What does an HR staffing agency do?
It finds, screens and presents HR candidates for your open roles, so your team interviews a short list instead of sorting through applicants. Spectrum Careers fills HR and recruiting roles on a contract, contract-to-hire or direct hire basis.
How is an HR recruitment agency different from a job board?
A job board only reaches people who are looking. Our recruiters also call HR professionals who are doing well where they are and aren’t applying to ads, and they screen every candidate before you meet them.
Can you provide contract recruiters or HR staff?
Yes. Contract recruiters and HR staff can cover a hiring push, a leave or a project, such as moving to a new HR system. If you’d like to work with someone before making an offer, ask about contract-to-hire.
Do we pay anything if we don’t hire?
Not on a contingent search: the fee is due only when you hire. Contract staff are billed for the hours they work.
What if a hire doesn’t work out?
We back direct hires with a candidate guarantee. We also stay in touch after the start and ask for feedback on how the person is doing.
Which areas do you cover?
We’re headquartered in the DC area and recruit for employers across Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia, for on-site, hybrid and remote roles.
Do you recruit other roles too?
Yes. We also recruit accounting, finance and IT professionals. See our accounting recruiting and staffing and IT recruiting and staffing pages.
Guides for hiring managers
Contract, contract-to-hire or direct hire?
How to choose between the three ways to hire, and when contract is the wrong answer.
How to spot an imposter candidate
The red flags to watch for and how to verify candidates before you hire.
Interview tips for hiring managers
How to get more out of your interviews than the standard questions.