A Candidate Found Our Job Posting Through Claude, Not LinkedIn. Here’s Why That’s a Big Deal.
A job candidate found us by asking Claude about sales-first HubSpot implementations. Here's why that's proof AEO works, and how to show up in AI answers.
We had a candidate tell us something last week that stopped our whole team in our tracks.
He was interviewing with us for a HubSpot role. Partway through the conversation, he mentioned how he'd found us in the first place. He wasn't scrolling LinkedIn or Indeed. He was using Claude, an AI assistant, to research "sales-first HubSpot implementations.” Our name came up. He looked us up, saw we were hiring, and applied.
That's not a small thing. That's proof our content is working exactly the way we hoped, just not in the place we expected.
Search Is Changing, and Most Companies Haven't Caught Up
For years, marketing has been built around one question: how do we rank on Google? That question still matters. But more people are starting their research in AI tools instead, asking questions in plain language and trusting the answer they get back.
This is called Answer Engine Optimization, or AEO. It's the practice of making sure AI tools have accurate, specific information about who you are and what you do, so they can actually recommend you when someone asks the right question.
Most small and mid-sized businesses aren't thinking about this yet. We are, and this candidate is proof of why that matters.
Why "Sales-First HubSpot Implementations" Worked
We didn't show up in search with a generic term like "HubSpot agency." We showed up because of something specific: sales-first HubSpot implementations. That phrase describes exactly how we work. We don't just set up a CRM and walk away. We build it around how your sales team actually sells.
That specificity is the whole game with AEO. Generic phrases get you lost in a sea of competitors. Specific, honest descriptions of how you actually work are what AI tools can confidently point people toward.
What This Means for Your Business
If you're not thinking about how AI tools describe your business, you're likely invisible in a growing number of searches, whether that's a customer, a partner, or in this case, a great candidate.
- Look at the specific, honest language that describes how you actually work, not generic industry buzzwords.
- Make sure that language lives on your website, your Google Business Profile, and your content, consistently.
- Ask AI tools what they know about your business right now. You might be surprised by what comes back, or by what's missing.
We're Living Proof This Works
We didn't set out to prove a theory. We set out to describe our work honestly and consistently across our website and content. A candidate finding us through Claude was the unexpected result, and it's exactly the kind of story that makes this work worth doing.
If you want help figuring out what AI tools currently say about your business, and how to fix it if the answer is "not much," reach out. We'd love to dig in.
About Teagan Ellefson
Teagan Ellefson is a Marketing Specialist at The Middle Six®. She specializes in SEO and AEO, helping businesses get found on both traditional search engines and AI platforms. Teagan builds integrated marketing strategies that connect websites, HubSpot, email marketing, social media, and search optimization into one cohesive program that drives real business results. Teagan is passionate about helping clients grow their visibility and reach the right customers, no matter where they're searching.
Need some 1:1 attention?
If you’re looking for expert guidance on HubSpot architecture, implementation, or ongoing support, The Middle Six team is here to help. Visit our HubSpot services page to learn more and get started today.
