How Rankings.io Hired an A-Player SEO and Future Leader in 3 Weeks
Looking to hire SEO talent?
Finding elite SEOs who can blend technical skill with team leadership is a universal challenge for fast-growing agencies.
For Chris Dreyer at Rankings.io, the search for a senior A-player was critical.
This is the story of how we bypassed the noise and placed a cornerstone member of their team, saving them countless hours and accelerating their growth.
Where Speed Meets Quality
Time-to-Hire Average
Rankings.io were able to hire SEO talent in under a month.
From Client Call to Candidate Interviews
SEO for Hire began delivering vetted candidates to client interviews within a week.
Role Hired For
SEO for Hire hired an A-Player Tech SEO for Rankings.io.
Rankings.io is an Inc. 5000 digital marketing agency specializing in SEO for law firms.
Located in Illinois, U.S. and with a team size of 130+ employees, Rankings.io looked to SEO For Hire for assistance with their next specialised Tech SEO hire to join their team.
“Helped us find the top 1% of talent.
SEO for Hire checks all of our boxes for finding talent:
– Great communication throughout the hiring process
– Radical transparency in all phases
– Thorough vetting of candidates”
Chris Dreyer
Founder of Rankings.io
What are the Challenges of Hiring a Tech SEO?
SEO talent acquisition is notoriously hard.
Finding SEOs who fit the culture of a leading agency like Rankings.io and possess the potential for leadership is even harder.
Their team was facing a common but critical bottleneck:
They needed a senior Tech SEO specialist with law firm experience who could manage a demanding client portfolio.
How did our Team Help Rankings.io Hire SEO Talent?
Instead of sifting through hundreds of applications, Rankings.io partnered with SEO for Hire, speed-tracking their ability to hire SEO specialists for the legal niche.
We focused on our core process:
Deep Dive
We first understood their specific technical needs and the soft skills required to thrive in their high-performance culture.
Curated Shortlist
We presented a small, highly-vetted list of candidates, not a database.
Seamless Process
We managed the logistics, allowing the Rankings.io team to focus only on the final, highest-value interviews.
“They have transformed our SEO hiring process, allowing us to find and recruit the top 1% of talent in the space, accelerating our company’s growth and allowing us to scale without slowing down.”
Chris Dreyer
Founder of Rankings.io
How did Rankings.io Benefit from Our Services?
A successful placement isn’t just about filling a seat. It’s about ROI and long-term impact.
Our team helped hire SEO talent that allowed the Rankings.io team to benefit from:
1. Role Filled in Under 1 Month
From initial brief to signed offer in just 3 weeks.
2. Immediate Impact
The candidate took ownership of a key client pod from day one.
3. Future-Proofed Talent
This hire has since been promoted and now leads a team of four, directly contributing to a 30% increase in client retention for their group.
Results Summary
Rankings.io were able to scale their business without needing to slow down.
With Rankings.io as a valued partner of SEO for Hire, Rankings.io were able to achieve:
Time-to-Hire
25 days vs. 45-day industry average.
Speed with Specialised Headhunting
Rankings.io were able to fill their new Tech SEO role within under 1 month, due to efficient hiring processes and elite SEO Talent networkds from SEO For Hire.
Scaling without Slowing Down
Founder, Chris Dreyer, adds that the Rankings.io team were able to continue focusing their efforts on scaling the business without slowing down, thanks to the specialised efforts, alignment and expertise by our team.
Candidates Put Forward
From 48 available prospects, our team were able to determine 29 suitable leads and submit 5 outstanding candidates forward.
Candidates Interviewed
27 candidates were vetted within two weeks by our team, narrowing the best select few to put forward.
This process involves thorough vetting against our candidate scorecards, tests and screenings.
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.
How to find SEO talent for legal industry?
SEO for Hire have experience in working with niches such as SEO agencies in the legal niche. We have a great pipeline of vetted talent that is consistently being nurtured and kept warm for new opportunities.