How a Leading U.S. SEO Agency Secured Two Data Relevance Engineers for Enterprise
When a world-renowned SEO agency like iPullRank needed two rare hybrid Technical SEO Engineers who could code at depth and confidently lead enterprise client conversations, the margin for error was zero.
Here’s how SEO for Hire delivered two “unicorn” Data Relevance Engineers through a rigorous, technically vetted search process built for enterprise standards.
Where Speed Meets Quality
Approach
300+ targeted outreaches and 100+ candidate calls ensured only enterprise-capable technical SEOs progressed.
Assessments
Eight bespoke, stack-specific assessments filtered out surface-level talent and verified real coding depth.
Strategic
Golden Recruitment Formula-led pre-qualification aligned candidates to iPullRank’s culture and standards before interview.
iPullRank is one of the most respected SEO agencies in the United States, trusted by some of the world’s most recognizable brands, including American Express, Adidas, Etsy, Target, Nordstrom, and Coinbase.
The agency is led by Michael King, who was named AI Search Marketer of the Year by Search Engine Land in 2025, receiving this award in recognition of his leadership and innovation in SEO and AI-driven search strategy as the founder and CEO of iPullRank.
The bar for talent at iPullRank is exceptionally high: every hire must be capable of operating at an enterprise level from day one.
The Hiring Challenge iPullRank Faced
When Mike King came to SEO for Hire (referred by mutual trusted advisor Nick Eubanks) he had a very specific need.
iPullRank required two Data Relevance Engineers:
Professionals who could hard-code Python scripts for automation, demonstrate a deep and current understanding of SEO, and still hold their own in client-facing conversations.
The challenge was that these two skill sets are almost polar opposites in the talent market.
The most technically gifted engineers rarely want to be client-facing, and the most polished SEO strategists rarely have the depth of coding ability required.
Candidates who claimed to have both were often either vibe-coding with AI assistance or relying on a degree from a decade ago.
“Most technical SEOs don’t want to be client-facing. They’d rather be in the weeds with the technology, building automations and pushing AI to its limits.
To merge those two skill sets (which are almost polar opposites) was the challenge.”
Daris Benallal
Head of Recruitment at SEO for Hire
How SEO for Hire Offered iPullRank a Strategic Hiring Solution
Our team at SEO for Hire treated this as a flagship search.
We conducted over 300 outreach contacts and held more than 100 candidate calls.
To ensure no candidate made it to the client without being genuinely qualified, eight bespoke technical tasks were created, each tailored to the specific skill set of the individual candidate.
For example, a candidate proficient in Python received a Python-specific challenge, while another working in PHP received a task designed around their stack.
This prevented any candidate from reaching the interview stage under false pretences, protecting iPullRank’s time and ensuring every introduction was a genuine fit.
An Additional Differentiator
Before any candidate was introduced, they were sent a link to our Agency Growth Club podcast episode, featuring Mike King.
This gave candidates a deep understanding of iPullRank’s culture, growth plans, and expectations, adding the podcast to our signature candidate attraction approach, what we call our Golden Recruitment Formula.
How did iPullRank Benefit from Our Services?
SEO for Hire successfully placed both roles.
The two new hires are now integral members of the iPullRank team, contributing to work for some of the world’s most demanding enterprise clients.
One of the placed candidates, Patrick, has since been featured as a speaker in a live iPullRank webinar (a clear signal of the quality and impact of the placement).
Why Our Hiring Solutions Worked Well
We didn’t treat this as a volume search. We treated it as a flagship build.
By combining 300+ targeted outreach conversations, 100+ in-depth candidate calls, and eight bespoke technical assessments tailored to each candidate’s actual stack, we eliminated surface-level “AI-assisted” talent and surfaced genuinely enterprise-capable engineers.
Layering in cultural alignment through podcast-driven expectation setting meant every shortlisted candidate understood iPullRank’s standards before stepping into interview:
- Protecting time
- Raising the bar
- Accelerating decision confidence
The result: two technically elite, client-ready engineers who could operate at enterprise level from day one.
Looking to Scale Your SEO Team?
If you are an agency owner or hiring manager looking to build high-performing SEO and search marketing teams, we help you:
Design outcome-driven roles
Access passive, senior-level talent
Build layered teams (not just single hires)
Move fast without sacrificing quality
Book a call with our team to map out your next strategic hire and see how we can support your growth.
FAQs
How Does SEO For Hire Find the top 1% of SEO talent?
We’ve built the largest global network of SEOs—over 52,000 strong—curated through events, content funnels, and referrals. Our vetting process tests real-world skills, communication, and adaptability.
What Roles can SEO For Hire Help Fill?
We recruit across the SEO spectrum—from Junior SEOs to VP and even CEO, covering technical SEO, content strategy, and SEO product management.
How Fast can You Fill a Role?
95% of our roles are filled within 28 days. We often deliver pre-vetted candidates for urgent roles in under 10 days.
What Makes Your Candidates Stick Around?
We ensure long-term alignment on values, goals, and team fit—leading to a 30% boost in retention. All placements include a one-year satisfaction guarantee.
Do You Work with Startups or Large Enterprises?
Both. From nimble startup teams to global SEO operations, we tailor our approach to suit your scale and culture.