Proof, not promises · for recruitment & search firms
Every result we have produced for a recruitment firm since 2022. Video testimonials, screenshots straight from client inboxes, and 48 word-for-word replies from hiring managers. Names are redacted where they should be. The numbers are not.
The results
Clients who went on record are named. Everyone else is described by niche and city, because their market is small and their reputation is the business. Every figure comes from the client or from campaign data.
Doyo Recruiting · engineering, IT & accounting
From about $60K a month to $110–115K. Active clients went from 2–3 to 5.
“Revenue was about $60,000… now it's at $110–115. It's almost doubled in that time.”Preston Doyle, Owner & MD
CZ Recruit · multi-sector, Ohio
A controlled test in an adjacent market (HVAC) became 14 open job orders and a retained client.
“Six or seven positions with potential to blow up into 25–30 as they grow.”Chris Zaccaria, Founder
ParkerBeth · exec search, construction & engineering
First lead in 10 days. 3 contracts in 6 weeks. One job alone paid a $55K fee.
“We spent $40,000 to get nothing. With Acuired I made a 10× ROI in 60 days.”Jennifer, Founder
Gateway Staffing · 20+ years, North America
A $16K California role accepted, orders for about six more at the same company, and an RPO conversation.
“We have never been so busy, thanks to Acuired.”Gateway Staffing
Gareth Callaway · independent recruiter
3 placements with one client, after we rebuilt his sending infrastructure from scratch.
“As far as return on investment goes, threefold, fourfold, maybe more. The results are there.”Gareth Callaway
Melissa · agency owner, Gold Coast, Australia
A hiring manager with a live job order on the calendar inside 2 weeks. A new client in month two.
“This is our third lead generation partner and we've seen the best results.”Melissa, Agency Owner
A cannabis & CPG exec search firm · had never sent outbound
8,141 emails, 46 executive replies, 17 positive, 0.77% bounce. Then the Slack message.
“Just landed the first assignment as a result of the marketing efforts.”Founder, in the client Slack
A recruitment firm · candidate-led (MPC) outreach
The CEO of a fast-growing logistics business replied to one marketed candidate. A two-minute call ran twenty, and he needs 25 salespeople before 2028.
“He said, sure, give me a call.”The recruiter, on our next call
A Chicago manufacturing recruiter
A local “grab a coffee” play. 27% acceptance, positives up 6× week on week, in-person CFO meetings and a signed contingent search.
“Building relationships over a coffee rather than jumping straight into business conversations is refreshing.”Operations Director, industrial firm
A Toronto CFO search boutique
A first-90-days trigger. 118 sent, 9 interested, calls booked within the week.
“This is timely, as I'm planning to kick off a confidential search.”CFO, fintech scale-up
An Ohio engineering search firm
A hiring-signal play to 1,047 managers with open roles. First signed contract: 3 project manager roles.
“Yes, it is.”Eight different executives, word for word
A construction-tech recruiter
The campaign went live on 6 October. A VP accepted the connection note two days later and replied within a minute. A week after launch, the client emailed us this.
“He's about ready to sign a search agreement. Optimistic that we will get something done. Great result.”The client, by email
An offshore talent firm for CPG brands
A “new doors” play to founders whose brands had just landed in new retailers. It was scaled to 79 brands the same week.
A recruitment firm we coached 1-to-1
5 positive replies and $50K of opportunities on the dashboard the next morning, then a $13.25K fee in sight. The same firm booked 6 meetings in its first month on email alone.
“MPC has gone nuts, I think I will get a vacancy from this.”Founder, in our Slack
Acuired's own campaign · a recruiting franchise network
132 firm owners contacted, 12 positive replies, 2 signed as clients. We run the same machine on ourselves.
On camera
Five clients, unscripted, talking about what changed. Press play and judge for yourself.
The screenshots
Unedited apart from the black bars. We cover names, faces and companies because these firms compete in small markets. Tap any screenshot to enlarge it.
Older screenshots say “HJL”. That was our name before we became Acuired.
In writing
“We launched the campaign a week ago and got zero positive replies. I then had a call with Harry, who pointed out the emails were too long… we now get 1–2 positive replies per day for every 500 emails sent… So big thanks, Harry!”
“Harry, James and their team have done a great job in setting up a robust technical environment to support a high volume approach that gets delivered. We have a 3X ROI to date but one of those new clients offers a massive upside.”
“It would take the average person YEARS to put out the kind of results Harry and HJL are putting up in a single month.”
“They have produced more leads than most of the other services we've tried, thanks to their exclusive focus on recruiting companies and creative use of technology.”
“Within 2 weeks of starting campaigns we had a call book with an interested hiring manager who had a job order! In month two, we secured another new client and so far have had 3 candidates go on interviews.”
“The partnership has increased, the trust has increased, and the results have increased. If you're looking for a lead generation company, I recommend Acuired.”
“Knowledgeable, professional and responsive, I would have no hesitation in recommending Harry and the team.”
“For those that don't have the time and/or knowledge/skills, then this has got to be a great way to generate leads for your consultancy.”
What hiring managers actually said
These are replies our clients' outreach got from buyers: people with a role to fill, wanting to see a candidate, or booking time. Each one was read by a person and checked against the full thread. Job seekers and auto-replies were thrown out. The recruiter's name is swapped for [recruiter].
“Hi [recruiter], I'm ready to meet for a discovery call. We in a position to hire a firm for a confidential search.”
“Sounds good, I just booked Thursday at 1pm. Speak then.”
“We are in the middle of a hiring frenzy for CNC machinists. Can you help?”
“Can we pls see the resume?”
“This is timely, as I'm planning to kick off a confidential search. Looking for someone at the VP level who could become my CAO over time.”
“Yes, I'd love to learn more about this profile. It is very intriguing indeed.”
“I really appreciate your transparency, and I have to say I like your approach.”
“Let's chat - have some time tomorrow? I'm flexible from 10-1 and 1:30 to 3:00 Central.”
“Indeed. We are on the hunt for up to 2 ME positions. Two of our high skill MEs are retiring soon.”
“Can you send more info on this potential candidate?”
“Absolutely. My schedule is a little more open Thursday/Friday after 2pm PST. Do either of those days work for you?”
“Your timing may be right. Our Director of Finance and Administration is leaving at the end of June so we will need to search for a replacement.”
“Happy to check out what you've got!”
“That works out well. See you next Wednesday at 10am… I appreciate the location and how close it is to me.”
“Yes, we have spots open in our Krakow Poland office for similar positions. I could be available for a call early next week.”
“Sure, please share a brief profile. Also, what would the cost impact be to hire someone of this caliber?”
“Sure, I have setup time for a quick chat on Tuesday at 3pm EST.”
“Apologies as I've been out of town… yes please… let's talk.”
“I'd be open to seeing info on the candidate, and seeing if they are a fit for one of our current openings.”
“I know the team and I congratulate you for contributing to this success story. I'd love to learn more about your services.”
“One last question. Do you have a network that captures tool and die makers? That is what I need right now.”
“Yes, I would.”
“Absolutely. Getting ready for quarter end close right now, but once I'm through that, I could grab coffee sometime.”
“They are. All positions on our website are currently open and active.”
“Yes please.”
“Thank you for the chat and following up… Let me know some dates and times that work for you in September.”
“We are still actively hiring for Account Executives in Omaha.”
“If you have a résumé to share, I'd be happy to review it. There is a possibility. Something may be opening up.”
“BTW I listened to your podcast while making dinner tonight. Great episode. Congratulations on your success.”
“We are still looking for a senior stamping engineer.”
“Thanks for reaching out and for the introduction. Yes, we would be happy to meet and learn more.”
“Connect next week?”
“Yes, our Engineering Manager role is open.”
“If u can provide salary requirements that would be great. We need client facing/PM experience, if possible some AI experience.”
“Definitely open to connecting.”
“We do have the Project Manager role still open. Please reach out if you have any candidates you would like me to review.”
“Yes I would be interested.”
“I'll send open calendar times tomorrow. Can you send me an email so I can send a zoom invite.”
“If yes, please email [colleague] and [colleague] as both are assigned to help me in this task.”
“Do you have experience placing sales leaders in wine and spirits? Feel free to send over a brief overview.”
“Let's plan to have an introductory call in a couple of weeks. How about Friday at 12 pm?”
“Yes we are looking.”
“I'm not looking to hire anyone right now but would be interested in reviewing his resume.”
“Sure can… I'm free tomorrow from 9-11 and 1-4.”
“We are, specifically for an adaptive expert.”
“Yes sure, we can meet up for a coffee.”
“Yes. Here in California as well.”
“Sounds great. I have booked a time at 12 noon Vancouver time on Monday.”
How we count
You have probably been shown a lead gen dashboard full of “interested” tags. So were we. Here is what we do instead.
01 · Read, not tagged
Sending tools mark a lot of replies “interested”. When we read all 3,405 client reply threads by hand, only about one in four was a real buyer. That is why this page says 143, not 760.
02 · Every channel
Most of our verified buyer replies now come from LinkedIn, so every campaign runs both. Email still carries volume and the candidate-led plays. We go where the replies are, not where it is cheapest to send.
03 · What we promise
Deliverability, volume, targeting and the quality bar are ours, and we report on them weekly. Your market and your close are not, so we will never guarantee you a number of placements.
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