Recruitment consultants have one of the top five worst jobs in Britain, if we are to believe the findings of a new book.

The Idler Book of Crap Jobs lists recruitment consultant at number five in its list of 100 nightmare roles. Other undesirable jobs to make the list included pea-checkers, maggot farmers and kebab-shop assistants.

Readers were asked to submit nominations for the list which were judged against five criteria: whether they were dangerous, futile, soul-destroying, immoral or disgusting.

Recruitment qualified because it was “soul-destroying” and “immoral”, according to the former call centre staffing consultant who submitted the nomination. He said his job had been “mind-numbingly repetitive and badly-paid”.

Dan Kieran, who compiled the list, said the results reflected the nature of work in general, rather than the pitfalls of any profession in particular. “Even the jobs we aspire to turn out to be mundane and trivial. We need to re-assess the impact that work has on our lives.”

A spokeswoman for industry trade body the Recruitment and Employment Confederation said: “There are lots of recruiters who love their jobs and do very well.”