DANGER ALERT! RECRUITERS WHO SEND YOUR PROFILE TO CLIENTS, WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT.....

"Members (Recruiters) may not submit details of any Candidate to any Client without first: a. Disclosing to the Candidate the name of Client, specific position, key performance areas, and all other relevant information, and b. Obtaining the Candidate’s express permission to represent them at that specific Client for that specific vacancy " from the APSO CODE OF ETHICS. Whats the danger you ask?

Here's a scary story... Candidate X is approached by a Recruiter. Recruiter found X's CV or X applied for a particular role with the Recruiter when he/she was looking. You had a brief conversation with the Recruiter, the role didn't work out for whichever reason. Maybe you decided to stay or maybe you found other work. Suddenly you find that your CV was submitted to a client by 2-3 different agencies to a client without your consent. Now that may sound ideal as it may increase your chances of getting placed. The problem comes in when:

• The Hiring Manager of the new company, was an ex-colleague who is still either doing work with, or has good relationships with your current employer. Even worse when they were not part of your fan club.
• You found other work during that time and your new manager has found out from a friend that he will be interviewing this hot developer(you)!
• 2 or 3 agencies are phoning the same line manager for a reference! Do you think by the third time your ex-manager is completing the reference, he is sounding as perky as he sounded on round 1 of the reference.
• You are on the verge of landing an offer. You've indicated you would say yes if they offered you and it just happens to be that the unsolicited send was to the sister company, one database or one HR department handling recruitment for both businesses. The offer to you suddenly becomes very questionable.
• Your situation has changed at work, they are now paying for studies or equipping you with the skills you want but would consider moving to the new company in a year or so from now. Your retraction from the new company could be seen as a negative. When you do apply, they remember your CV and you could be branded as a time waster who can't make up his/her mind.
• You turn up at the interview, go through a myriad of assessments and psychometric tests only to discover that they have the wrong version of the CV. The old version of the CV does not contain your new skills or the skills you wish to acquire, your salary has not been updated & actually, the potential new employer can't afford your desired salary . Actually, you've just spent a good few hours wasting both your own and the employers time.

HOW DO YOU PREVENT THIS?

Deal with only APSO Certified Agencies (Federation of African Professional Staffing Organisations) . Even better, deal with Recruiters who are registered with APSO as they would have taken an intensive membership entry examination that includes abiding by the following ethical standard:

Report Recruiters that disobey your privacy to APSO and the Agency leadership. and cancel your membership with them in writing. Willy-nilly sending of CV's for roles you are not interested in, nor qualify for, is a gross violation of your privacy. Why should everyone have access to your private salary information or reasons for leaving!

While it is difficult to work through only a handful of agencies, work with a limited amount of Recruiters that you have a built relationship with, who understand both your pocket and development needs. If you see a role that you particularly want, get the recruiter to market you to the client. A good recruiter who knows you well, will know hot to market you.

Work with agencies & recruiters who have depth of understanding in your particular field. Test their knowledge in your sector of work if you must. Make sure you are not wasting your time with fly by night agencies and recruiters who don't even understand the job spec, let alone know how your skills match to the role.

After your interview with the Recruiter, ensure that you send an email stating that they may only send your CV off for new roles with your written permission

Read your agency contract. Is there a blanket statement giving the agency permission to send the CV as they deem fit?. If so, consider the consequences and amend the contract accordingly.

" There are some wonderful professional Recruiters out there who insist on operating ethically and with integrity. You will find that those Recruiters have long lasting client & candidate relationships, balance client & candidate needs and as a result, they are top performers not only in meeting their sales targets but in the customer and candidate service quality categories. Nothing eats at the Recruitment Industry more than those rogue recruiters, who disregard one's private information & operate unethically. They give our wonderful industry a bad name and cause clients and candidates to mistrust us. ".

- Adele Abrahams, HOD: Specialist Recruitment, Career Coach, Scarce-Skills Specialist

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