Profits at Manpower, the world’s second largest recruitment firm, rose by 82% in the second quarter.

Profits totalled $53.1m (£28.9m), or 56 cents per share, higher than the 52 cents per share that had been predicted by analysts.

In the same period last year, the company announced profits of $29.1m (£15.8m), or 37 cents per share. Revenue rose 20% to $3.62bn (£2bn) and sales grew by 14.3%.

Meanwhile, the UK branch of Manpower’s high street recruitment rival Kelly Services has reported a strong performance in the first half of this year, indicating that the country’s job market is booming.

Kelly’s professional, technical and staffing alternatives divisions have performed particularly well, reporting sales up by 50%.

The number of Kelly temps on assignment has increased week-on-week. The number has increased by 14% since June.