Hiring a contract data science recruiter can help you hire for specialized data roles. But you need to find the right data science recruiter to get great talent. A proven track record, communication skills and experience are a given, but you should consider other factors specific to data science recruiters when making your decision. These factors include:

• Data Science Specializations - Not all data scientists have the same skills. Some specialize in data modeling, machine learning, or data analytics. Some are data engineers, some are business analysts – the list goes on. When hiring a data science recruiter, they should understand the differences between these data science specializations and understand how to hire candidates for these different roles. They need to be able to assess candidates' overall data science knowledge, their familiarity with programming languages like Python and SQL and their familiarity with data tools like Hadoop, Apache, etc. This can give you a more comprehensive overview of their level of expertise.

• Network and Track Record - An experienced data science recruiter should have a strong network of qualified candidates. These candidates can range from entry-level data analysts to senior or management-level data scientists. Ask about their previous placements, industries they’ve worked in and the types of roles they can fill. 

• Assess Their Knowledge of Emerging Trends - The field of data science is always changing and evolving. A good fractional data science recruiter should stay updated on trends like NLP, deep learning, artificial intelligence, big data and more. Keeping up with current trends allows them to find candidates that are up-to-date with their knowledge, helping to future-proof your team.

• Clear Communication on Contract Terms - Finally, this applies to all recruiters and not just data science recruiters, but make sure you’re clear on contract terms when you hire them. Determine how long they’ll be working with your team, their timelines for hiring and their fee structure. 

How to write an effective job post

When you put out a job post for a data science recruiter, you will likely get a lot of unqualified applicants. The key to attracting the right candidates is making a clear and well-crafted job post. Your post needs to attract professionals who understand the intricacies of data science roles and can source high-quality candidates for your team. Here are some tips for getting applications from experienced data science recruiters:

• Highlight Industry-Specific Experience - Make sure your job post emphasizes the need for data science expertise. Use keywords like “data science recruiter,” “machine learning talent recruiter," “big data hiring,” etc. Clearly outline that you need a recruiter with a proven track record hiring data scientists, data engineers or any other data science-related roles your team needs.

• Note Your Data Science Needs - In your post, outline the data science roles you want to hire. Mention if you’ll be focusing on hiring in areas like predictive analysts, business analytics, data modeling, business intelligence, artificial intelligence, etc. This helps filter candidates who understand your hiring niche.

• Emphasize the Importance of a Technical Network - Remember to say that you want a data science recruiter with a network in the data science community. This helps them start hiring faster since data science roles are already difficult to hire for as is.

• Offer Competitive Compensation and Flexibility - Recruiters specializing in data science are in high demand, so offering competitive compensation is essential. Be upfront about salary or commission structures.

With the above tips in mind, here’s an example of what your job post might include:

• Example:

  • We are looking for a recruiter with extensive experience hiring data science professionals, specifically data analysts, machine learning experts and AI specialists. We’d prefer a recruiter who understands how to source candidates skilled in Python and SQL. (This section highlights industry expertise and the types of roles you need to fill.)

  • Our company specializes in predictive analytics and advanced machine learning, and we’re seeking a recruiter who can help us hire data scientists who can help optimize AI models and work with large datasets. (This section provides additional context about your company and your data science needs.)

  • An ideal candidate for this position will have strong data science and machine learning connections. We require a minimum of five years experience successfully placing candidates in data science roles. (This section emphasizes the need for a network and proven track record.)

  • We offer a competitive commission structure with additional incentives based on successful hires, as well as the flexibility to work remotely. (This section offers competitive compensation).

By clearly outlining your expectations and emphasizing the technical and industry-specific skills required, you’ll attract data science recruiters who can fill the roles you need to fill.