Why choose Dixon Appointments?

Premium recruitment services and expert track record

Dixon has built our reputation as quality recruiters over a period of decades. Established in Melbourne in 1998, Dixon has stood the test of time and remains committed to providing a positive and quality recruitment experience for all. Our recruitment consultants are experienced professionals, and our in-house training is second to none. Core to our sustained success is our  industry-leading recruitment methodology which incorporates evidence-based assessment and selection techniques to best predict performance and guarantee better placement outcomes. Today, we continue to partner with Melbourne's best employers and connect them with the best local talent.

A personal approach to building lasting relationships

People are the heart of our business and our industry. We treat all stakeholders with genuine care and thought, and form lasting partnerships built on mutual respect. 

We believe human connection is essential to effective and lasting recruitment. We connect with key stakeholders in your business to best understand communication and behavioural expectations, resulting in improved understanding of cultural fit.  We are not transactional recruiters; we believe taking the time and effort to match complementary needs and skills to your business is how we stand out from the crowd.

Extensive networks of talented active and passive candidates 

As a leading recruitment company for more than two decades, we have interacted with tens of thousands of quality candidates and maintain an extensive database. Our active presence on sites including LinkedIn means we reach people actively looking for work together with those not currently seeking work, but who may be attracted to a particular opportunity. 

Dixon does not seek to cover all industries and markets. By focusing on our chosen areas, we have cultivated networks of the most experienced and capable professionals in each field. 

Industry-leading applicant assessment process

Dixon harnesses evidence-based assessments that are the best predictors of future performance in the selection process. This includes structured, behavioural interviewing and General Mental Ability assessments to ensure our recommended candidates are more likely to perform and excel. We apply a comprehensive methodology to assessing and short-listing candidates that we believe are best suited to the relevant opportunity.

Our approach includes: 

  • Candidate specification and job briefing: A position description is only the beginning. Where possible we arrange a 60-90 minute on-site consultation to:

    • determine preferred and mandatory skills 

    • identify and define desired behavioural competencies

    • understand cultural fit factors and organisation values

    • assess physical working environment.

  • Designing an evidence-based, bespoke recruitment process: Our expert recruiters design a Recruitment Matrix as a roadmap for the entire recruitment process, to ensure the recruitment is targeted specifically for your unique needs. This includes:

    • Targeted advertising: on mainstream job platforms and on targeted, industry or discipline-specific sites

    • Passive candidate search: We tap into our own network of professionals and undertake proactive search on sites like LinkedIn and Facebook to approach candidates that may not be actively looking for work

    • Structured, behavioural screening: we execute position-specific applicant screening using a verbal, behavioural screening process that is evidence-based

    • General Mental Ability assessment: Evidence suggests that one of the best predictors of performance in selection processes is GMA. Dixon uses verbal, numeric and abstract reasoning assessments that are psychologically validated. 

    • Professional Reference and integrity checks: Two references from direct supervisors covering at least three years to verify that our assessment of each candidate is accurate, and to identify any unseen risks.

    • Execution of a performance feedback program post placement: to support both hiring manager and candidate in the new position. Scheduled performance review points are undertaken and documented, allowing us to address and resolve misunderstandings, expectations, potential risks or performance concerns early.

A Victorian business supporting Victorians

Dixon is 100% Victorian-owned and operated. Our success supports local jobs and local communities. We are proud to partner with the best local businesses to provide them with the best candidates for their situation. A key advantage to locally-owned and operated businesses is the accessibility and immediacy of key decision-makers. 

Support during and after the recruitment process

Our clients rely on us to understand their needs and deliver on their objectives, efficiently and effectively. Energy, empathy and constant communication – before, during and after the process – are the key ingredients to making sure clients and candidates feel as comfortable and confident as possible. The benefit of this is that we get to see the best of everyone, leading to superior connections. 

We recognise that periods of change create peaks in additional pressure and tension, so we provide an onboarding performance support program to provide feedback and performance counselling to new employees and their managers throughout the first 90 days of their new role. This gives your organisation expert objective assistance as new employees transition in, become proficient and excel in their new teams. 

Any challenges or unexpected situations are managed by your recruiter to provide you with the support you need with our respectful, human-driven approach.

Comprehensive placement guarantee

We understand the significance of the time and financial commitment when undertaking recruitment. When you work with us on a recruitment assignment, your investment is protected by Dixon’s placement guarantee. There is a range of guarantees depending on the type of recruitment undertaken, as follows:

Standard placement guarantee 

When you work with Dixon Appointments we protect your investment with a comprehensive guarantee which includes: 
 
Replacement cover: Full coverage for terminations for any reason excluding retrenchment/redundancy for 60 days from date of commencement. A new recruitment process will be undertaken and a suitable candidate placed without additional cost. 
 

Exclusive placement guarantee 

When you work with Dixon Appointments on an exclusive basis, you enjoy the protection of our comprehensive guarantees which include: 
 
Replacement cover: Full coverage for terminations for any reason excluding retrenchment/redundancy for 90 days from date of commencement. A new recruitment process will be undertaken and a suitable candidate placed without additional cost. 
 

Retained engagement guarantee

Each retained engagement is backed by our comprehensive guarantees, as follows:  

Replacement cover: Full coverage for terminations for any reason excluding retrenchment/redundancy for 4 months from the date of commencement. An additional search and recruitment assignment will be undertaken and a suitable replacement sourced placed without additional cost. 

 
Fee recovery credit: If the client and Dixon Appointments are unable to agree on a suitable replacement in a reasonable timeframe, the client is entitled to a 50% credit of all fees paid to date.  
 
Repeat assignments: Sometimes circumstances change. If Dixon Appointments is re-engaged to undertake the same recruitment assignment within a 24-month period, the Engagement component of our professional fee is waived.  

A female-led business committed to sustainability

Dixon was founded by Hilary Dixon in 1998 and became a respected and successful recruitment agency under her guidance. Hilary subsequently transferred the business to several key staff as part of her succession plan and Dixon remains a proudly female-led business to this day. 

Dixon Appointments is a business committed to sustainability. We strongly believe that for businesses and people to thrive, we need a healthy society, environment and economy. Dixon holds ISO 14001 environmental certification, has maintained carbon neutral certification since 2010-11, and has a 6-star NABERS rating. We work with a range of organisations in support of social causes including STREAT and the Melbourne Indigenous Transition School (MITS).

Dixon also partners with specialised agencies working to improve employment opportunities for under-represented groups including indigenous Australians, neurodiverse and those living with disability.