From “We Can’t Find the Right Person” to Role Filled: A Recruitment Case Study

It’s a conversation we hear more often than you might expect:

“We’ve been trying to fill this role for months, but we just can’t find the right person.”

For many engineering employers, particularly those recruiting for specialist technical roles, this situation can quickly become frustrating. Time passes, projects stall, and the pressure to find the right candidate continues to build.

Recently, our Recruitment Consultant Joanne Foster supported a company facing exactly this challenge.

A Difficult Brief — On Paper

The client was looking to recruit a Communications Engineer in the South of the UK.

At first glance, it wasn’t an easy role to fill. The requirements included:

  • Specialist RF knowledge

  • Experience across multiple communication systems

  • Confidence working at height

  • Willingness to travel

Individually, these requirements are achievable. Combined, they significantly narrow the available talent pool — particularly when relying solely on traditional recruitment channels.

Where Ex-Military Talent Stands Out

This is exactly where ex-military candidates consistently demonstrate their value.

Rather than searching for a perfect CV match in the open market, Joanne focused on identifying individuals whose training, experience, and mindset aligned with the role.

We introduced a candidate who had spent 13 years in the Royal Signals, bringing with them:

  • Hands-on experience across HF, VHF, UHF, and SHF systems

  • Installation and maintenance of VSAT and ground station communications

  • Strong capability in GPS systems and IT networking

  • Experience conducting RF propagation and site surveys

  • A proven ability to operate in demanding and high-pressure environments

This wasn’t just a technical match — it was a cultural and operational fit.

The Outcome

The result?

Role filled.

No prolonged delays.
No compromise on quality.
No need to “settle” for a near match.

Just the right person, placed into the right role.

What This Means for Employers

Situations like this highlight an important point:

When employers struggle to find the right candidate, it’s often not because the talent doesn’t exist — it’s because they’re not looking in the right place.

Ex-military engineers bring:

  • Broad technical exposure across complex systems

  • Strong problem-solving capabilities

  • Experience working in challenging environments

  • A disciplined and adaptable approach to work

In many cases, they are not just suitable — they are ideal.

Thinking About Your Next Hire?

If your organisation is struggling to fill a specialist engineering role, it may be time to consider a different approach.

At Demob Job, we specialise in connecting employers with highly skilled ex-military professionals who can deliver from day one.

Share your vacancy with our team to discover the profile of your ideal ex-military engineer

👉 https://www.demobjob.co.uk/employer/submit-a-vacancy/

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