Mr. Sato (32 years old, IT engineer) has started considering a job change but is unsure which recruitment agency to use. Recruit Agent, doda, Mynavi Agent—all are major agencies with proven track records, but the differences are unclear. This article provides a thorough comparison of fees, support, and reputation to help you find the best agency for you.
【Quick Answer: 3-Agency Comparison】 Recruit Agent has the largest number of job openings (approx. 370,000 as of June 2025) and offers many unlisted positions. doda excels in salary negotiations and provides robust post-registration support. Mynavi Agent is geared toward young professionals in their 20s and 30s, with a strength in personalized career advice. All services are free of charge.
Who is Recruit Agent Recommended For?
Recruit Agent boasts one of the largest job listings in Japan, with its appeal lying particularly in the abundance of non-public job openings. According to its official website, as of June 2025, it handles approximately 370,000 job listings, of which about 70% are non-public.
Number and Quality of Job Listings
Recruit Agent's greatest strength is the sheer volume of job listings. It offers a wide range of options across industries and job types. Additionally, it holds numerous non-public job openings at major companies, allowing you to encounter opportunities not available elsewhere.
Support System
A dedicated consultant provides one-on-one support. This includes resume editing, interview preparation, and even salary negotiations. However, some reviews indicate that the quality of support can vary depending on the consultant.
Reputation and Points to Note
Positive reviews often mention "many job listings" and "I was able to increase my salary," while negative feedback includes "the consultant wasn't a good fit" and "responses were slow." If you are not satisfied, you can request a change of consultant.
Features and Strengths of doda
doda is a job change agent operated by Persol Career. It has a strong track record in salary negotiations and is well-regarded for its rate of salary increase after changing jobs.
Salary Negotiation Process
At doda, dedicated consultants handle salary negotiations with companies on your behalf. According to the official website, the average salary increase is approximately 500,000 yen (2024 results).
Quality of Support
After registration, a career advisor will conduct an interview promptly. Advice based on job market trends is well-received. Additionally, by linking with doda's job change site, you can also search for job openings on your own.
Reputation and Points to Note
While there are many comments such as "My salary increased" and "The advice was accurate," there are also criticisms that "There are fewer job openings than Recruit." In particular, job openings in the IT field may be inferior to those of Recruit.
Features and Strengths of Mynavi Agent
Mynavi Agent specializes in supporting young professionals in their 20s to 30s. With attentive support, even first-time job changers can feel at ease.
Strengths for Young Professionals
Mynavi Agent is characterized by its strength in supporting second new graduates and those in their late 20s seeking job changes. Career advisors conduct thorough interviews and introduce job openings that match your preferences.
Quality of Support
In addition to interview preparation and document proofreading, they also provide follow-up support after the job change. According to the official website, approximately 80% of successful job changers are in their 30s or younger.
Reputation and Points to Note
Many reviews mention that "they were very attentive" and "they were a great help for my first job change." On the other hand, the number of job openings is smaller than that of Recruit or doda, and positions for managerial roles are limited.
Detailed Comparison Table
| Item | Recruit Agent | doda | Mynavi Agent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of job openings | Approx. 370,000 (official, June 2025) | Approx. 200,000 (official, June 2025) | Approx. 100,000 (official, June 2025) |
| Non-public job openings | Approx. 70% | Approx. 50% | Approx. 40% |
| Salary negotiation | Supported | Strength (average increase of 500,000 yen) | Supported |
| Support | Dedicated agent | Dedicated agent + self-search | Dedicated agent (personalized) |
| Reputation | Many job openings, quality of agents varies | Strong salary negotiation, fewer job openings | Geared toward young professionals, attentive support |
| Target age | All ages | All ages | Mainly 20s–30s |
| Fee | Free | Free | Free |
Who Should Choose Which Agent
- Recruit Agent: For those who want to choose from as many options as possible and target non-public job openings. If you are an IT engineer like Sato, the large number of job openings will work to your advantage.
- doda: For those who prioritize salary increases above all else and want to search for jobs on their own.
- Mynavi Agent: For those who are anxious about their first job change and want thorough career advice in their 20s to 30s.
Registration Procedure for Job Change Agents (Common)
- Access the official website of each agent.
- Enter the required information (name, career history, desired conditions).
- A consultant in charge will contact you, so coordinate an interview schedule.
- Communicate your preferences during the interview and receive job referrals.
- The flow proceeds to application, interview, job offer, and joining the company.
Registration is free for all agents. We recommend registering with multiple agents to compare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Are job placement agencies free?
Yes, all are completely free. Agencies receive success fees from companies, so there is no cost to job seekers.
Q2: Can I register with multiple agencies?
No problem at all. In fact, registering with multiple agencies allows you to encounter more job openings.
Q3: Which has more job listings, Recruit Agent or doda?
Recruit Agent has approximately 370,000 listings, while doda has about 200,000 (as of June 2025), so Recruit Agent has more.
Q4: Which agency is best for salary negotiation?
doda is reputed to be strong in salary negotiation, with an average increase of 500,000 yen.
Q5: Which agency is recommended for people in their 20s?
Mynavi Agent offers supportive services tailored to young professionals. Recruit Agent is also recommended for its large number of job listings, so using both together is advisable.
Q6: Where can I check reviews of job placement agencies?
You can check on each agency's official website, Google reviews, and job change review sites (e.g., Job Change Conference).
Q7: How long after registration will I be contacted?
Typically, you will be contacted by a representative within 1 to 3 business days after registration.
Summary: Choose the Agent That Suits You
A recruitment agent is a partner that can significantly change your career. Recruit Agent excels in the number of job openings, doda in salary negotiation, and Mynavi Agent in supporting young professionals. Start by registering for free to see if they are a good fit for you.
【Risk Warning】 Using a recruitment agent is free, but changing jobs itself involves risks. Before leaving your current workplace, be sure to gather sufficient information and conduct thorough self-analysis.
Methodology: This review aggregates publicly available data as of June 24, 2025, from the broker's official website, public registers of regulatory authorities, and independent review aggregators. The editorial team has not actually traded with the reviewed broker. For our actual verification protocol, please refer to our methodology. Affiliate Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links. We may receive compensation at no additional cost to you. Compensation does not affect our evaluation of brokers. For details, please see our editorial policy.
FAQ
Are job placement agencies free?
Yes, they are completely free. Agencies receive a success fee from companies, so there is no cost to job seekers.
Can I register with multiple agencies?
No problem at all. In fact, registering with multiple agencies gives you access to more job openings.
Between Recruit Agent and doda, which has more job listings?
Recruit Agent has approximately 370,000 listings, while doda has about 200,000 (as of June 2025), so Recruit Agent has more.
Which agency is stronger at salary negotiation?
doda is reputed to be strong at salary negotiation, with an average increase of 500,000 yen.
Which agency is recommended for people in their 20s?
Mynavi Agent offers supportive services tailored to young professionals. Recruit Agent is also recommended for its large number of job listings, so using both is advisable.
Where can I check reviews of job placement agencies?
You can check reviews on each agency's official website, Google reviews, and job change review sites (e.g., Job Change Meeting).
How long after registration will I be contacted?
Typically, you will be contacted by a representative within 1 to 3 business days after registration.
Sources & Verification
This article was fact-checked on 2025-06-24. Key claims:
- "Recruit Agent has approximately 370,000 job listings (as of June 2025)" — verified via
https://www.recruit-agent.jp/on 2025-06-24 - "doda has approximately 200,000 job listings (as of June 2025)" — verified via https://doda.jp/ on 2025-06-24
- "Mynavi Agent has approximately 100,000 job listings (as of June 2025)" — verified via
https://agent.mynavi.jp/on 2025-06-24 - "doda's average annual salary increase is approximately 500,000 yen (2024 actual results)" — verified via https://doda.jp/guide/ on 2025-06-24
Photo by lonely blue on Unsplash
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