You send your CV
A few minutes. Your CV, a few key details and a quick online POPIA consent form to complete.
Specialist recruitment
Your career. My specialist network.
I specialise in recruitment across Public Relations, Communications, Marketing and Advertising, working with agencies, consultancies and in-house teams.
With over 30 years of industry experience, I understand the demands of these professions, the skills employers look for and the importance of finding the right fit for both candidate and company.
- Personally managedFrom initial brief to placement.
- Total confidentialityYour search stays private, always.
- Honest, straight adviceOn your CV, the market and your worth.
- Roles you will not see advertisedI hear about them first.
- A true specialistPR, Communications, Marketing and Advertising.
- Never a cost to youCandidates are never charged. Ever.
How it works
Simple, personal, and built around you
I review it against client briefs
If your experience aligns with my specialisation, I keep your details on file for relevant client requirements.
We talk when there is a match
When your experience matches a client brief, I will be in touch to discuss the role properly.
I support you to placement
From the first conversation about a role to the offer, you deal with me directly.
Where I place people
My areas of specialisation
My recruitment work covers a range of professional, specialist and leadership appointments, including:
- Public Relations and Corporate Communications
- Strategic Communications and Reputation Management
- Agency Client Service and Account Management
- Marketing, Brand and Campaign Management
- Advertising and Integrated Communications
- Digital Marketing, Content and Social MediaWhere aligned with client requirements.
- Internal Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
- Senior Agency Leadership and Business Unit Management
- Selected Executive, Operational and Fractional Leadership appointments
I also undertake selected specialist searches outside these core disciplines where I have been specifically engaged by a client.
Who I am best placed to assist
My clients generally seek candidates with relevant, hands-on industry experience, particularly within established PR, communications, marketing and advertising environments.
Although I occasionally handle junior appointments, the majority of my recruitment work involves experienced professionals, specialists, managers and senior leaders.
I do not generally recruit for internships, graduate programmes or entry-level positions.
My recruitment network is also not focused on unrelated specialist fields such as IT, engineering, supply chain, procurement, logistics, healthcare, education or general administration. Candidates working in these fields are encouraged to approach recruiters who specialise in their industries.
Location and working arrangements
Most of my recruitment assignments are based in South Africa, particularly Johannesburg and Cape Town, although other locations may be considered depending on the client brief.
Opportunities may be office-based, hybrid, remote, permanent, contract or fractional.
Fully remote opportunities are limited and depend entirely on the employer's requirements. International appointments are undertaken selectively and do not necessarily mean that candidates can work remotely from any country.
No suitable vacancy right now?
If your experience aligns with my recruitment specialisation, you are welcome to submit your CV for consideration.
I cannot guarantee that a suitable opportunity will become available or that every application will receive an individual response, but I will make contact should your experience match a relevant client requirement.
I would also encourage candidates to continue applying directly to suitable employers and exploring opportunities through their own professional networks.
Why work with me
Recruitment that treats you like a person
You are a person, not a number
Every assignment is personally managed, with a focus on quality and suitability rather than volume.
Total discretion
Your job search is confidential. Your current employer will never hear it from me, and your CV only goes where you agree it should.
Honest guidance
Straight advice on your CV, your market value and whether a role is right for you, even when the honest answer is to wait.
Career Services
Need a stronger CV, or interview-ready?
I offer optional professional CV writing and interview preparation, charged separately at published rates. Recruitment and consideration for opportunities are always free for candidates.
Explore Career ServicesSubmit Your CV
Joanne Barrett Consulting is a specialist recruitment consultancy. Please submit your details if your experience aligns with the industries and positions outlined above. Submission of a CV does not guarantee representation, an interview or placement. Please use this form or email joanne@jb-consulting.co.za rather than sending CVs via WhatsApp.
Candidate questions
The things job seekers usually want to know. Anything else, just ask me directly.
Does it cost me anything?
No. There is never a fee for recruitment or for being considered for a position. My fee is paid by the employer. Optional CV writing and interview coaching are separate paid services.
Will my search stay confidential?
Always. Your details and the fact that you are looking stay strictly between us, and your CV only ever goes to an employer once you have agreed to it.
Can I send my CV if there are no advertised vacancies?
Yes, provided your background is relevant to my recruitment specialisation. I receive a considerable number of applications and cannot guarantee that a suitable opportunity will arise or that I will be able to respond individually to every enquiry. If your experience matches a relevant brief, I will be in touch.
What kinds of roles do you recruit?
My core specialisation is Public Relations, Communications, Marketing and Advertising, across agencies, consultancies and in-house teams. I am not a generalist recruitment agency and do not routinely recruit across unrelated professional disciplines.
Can you help me find a remote job with an international company?
Possibly, depending on the opportunities available. Some international employers recruit South African professionals for remote or hybrid positions, but these are specific to individual client requirements. I do not operate as a worldwide remote-job placement service, and I cannot guarantee opportunities for candidates based outside South Africa.
Will I deal with you directly?
Always. From the first conversation about a role to your first day, you deal with me, Joanne. Never a junior and never a call centre.
Ready when you are
If your experience aligns with my specialisation, submit your CV. It costs you nothing and stays completely confidential.