Talent X

Talent X is a recruitment agency based in Sydney that presents itself as an alternative to commission-based recruiters. It was founded by Marnie Jones, and Maddie Jones is a director. It works with owner-led businesses in Australia and says it needs access to the owner, because its way of hiring differs from usual practice.

Talent X charges a fixed fee per role rather than a commission, and the client pays only when the role is filled. Each candidate goes through an eight-step hiring process that includes interviews, personality profiling, reference checks, knowledge testing and cultural assessment. If the placed candidate is not right, it re-runs the process at no cost. It reports a 92% success rate, counting a hire as a success only if the person stays 12 months or more, meets performance expectations and fits the culture.

Beyond full recruitment, it offers internal team audits, screening and reference checking as a separate service, and job ad writing. Its client examples come from technology, construction and engineering, and it says it has worked across more than 56 industries.