HRO Today has released its 2026 Baker's Dozen Customer Satisfaction Ranking for Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), with Korn Ferry securing the top position. The ranking, which is based exclusively on client feedback, honors organizations that have earned the highest ratings from their customers. This annual list serves as a vital resource for companies seeking recruitment partners, as it identifies the most effective RPO providers in the industry. The results matter because they offer an objective, data-driven benchmark that can guide organizations in selecting partners to meet their talent acquisition needs, ultimately impacting workforce development and career outcomes.
The rankings are determined through a rigorous methodology. HRO Today collects feedback annually via an online survey distributed directly to buyers through its mailing lists and indirectly through service providers. Only organizations that receive the highest ratings from their customers for quality of service, breadth of service, and size of deals are included. The ratings are based solely on buyer feedback and not on the opinions of HRO Today staff. To calculate the overall ranking, HRO Today analyzes results across three subcategories: service breadth, size of deals, and quality of service. Using a predetermined algorithm that weighs questions and categories based on importance, HRO Today calculates scores in all three subcategories as well as an overall score. This year, over 400 usable surveys were completed from 334 different client companies of the ranked providers, ensuring a robust and representative sample.
The top five providers in the 2026 ranking are Korn Ferry, KellyOCG, Hudson Talent Solutions, PeopleScout, and Cielo. Korn Ferry's first-place finish underscores its ability to deliver exceptional value and service to its clients, as reflected in the survey responses. Elliot Clark, CEO of SharedXpertise and Publisher of HRO Today, emphasized the significance of this recognition: "A ranking in the HRO Today Baker's Dozen for RPO providers reflects the strength of provider-client relationships and the quality and effectiveness of services. Recognition based directly on client feedback makes this achievement particularly meaningful." This endorsement from clients not only validates Korn Ferry's approach but also provides a competitive edge in the marketplace, as companies increasingly rely on such rankings to inform their RPO partnerships.
The implications of this ranking extend beyond the providers themselves. For organizations seeking to outsource recruitment processes, the Baker's Dozen list offers a trusted guide to selecting partners that have demonstrated excellence. By choosing top-ranked providers, companies can improve their talent acquisition strategies, leading to better hiring outcomes and enhanced workforce development. For the RPO industry, the ranking highlights the importance of client satisfaction and service quality, encouraging providers to continuously improve. As the war for talent intensifies, the role of RPO providers becomes even more critical, and rankings like this help ensure that organizations can identify partners that truly deliver.
For the full list of winners and more information about the ranking, visit HRO Today.
