The Challenge

Riley Consultants approached HainesAttract with a tough brief: fill a critical engineering role they had been struggling to recruit for. Initially, the role was scoped for Christchurch, but the client mentioned – almost in passing – that if we “happened to find someone in Auckland,” they’d be open, though they had essentially given up hope of finding the right talent there.

The challenge was clear: source a highly skilled candidate in a location the client believed was tapped out.

Our Approach

We began by partnering closely with Riley Consultants to understand the role, the team, and the environment the candidate would be stepping into. Through a detailed briefing session, we gathered insights into the technical requirements and cultural fit, and provided market intelligence to help reframe the opportunity.

From there, we mapped the market and proactively sourced candidates – going beyond job ads to tap into our engineering networks and industry connections. We spoke to 47 potential candidates, held 6 in-depth conversations, and presented one standout individual who matched the brief and brought fresh perspective to the role.

We also held a shortlisting session with Riley Consultants to share market insights, candidate feedback, and recommendations on how to position the role more competitively.

The outcome

From briefing to placement, the process moved quickly:

  • Briefed: 8 April
  • First Interview: 15 May
  • Offer Accepted: 26 May
  • Start Date: 30 June

The result? A successful hire in Auckland for a role the client had nearly written off. The candidate is now thriving in their new position and contributing meaningfully to the team.

Client Feedback

“We had a great experience working with Carly at HainesAttract for a critical one-off engineering placement. Throughout the process we felt well supported, and communication was clear, timely, and proactive.

Carly demonstrated a strong understanding of our organisation, the role, and what we were looking for.  Her honest and collaborative approach, along with a thoughtful awareness of the environment we are operating in, meant the process felt well aligned with our needs.

We appreciated the work that was put in to promote the opportunity while ensuring a good fit on both sides. As a result, we have welcomed a great addition to our team. We value the relationship that’s been built and look forward to staying connected..”