Recruitment is not Paywave

Two things happened today:

1. I fueled up the company car and unknowingly paid for company fuel via paywave on a card that was in my suit pocket. (I didn't even want paywave on a card).
2. We were asked by skilled job-seeker whether we had referred their details to an employer without their consent. (We don't do this so the answer is no!)

Examples of unsolicited and poor service

The Paywave Card

This unwanted feature will be quickly resolved by getting my bank to reissue the card without the unwanted paywave feature and any fees charged for the unwanted service. Work have already arranged to reimburse me but I don't want to pay for goods without knowing.

Paywave Recruiting is much much worse and it has to stop

• professional recruiters will never send a resume/profile without first getting the express permission of the individual (apart for the fact this is disrespectful there is a little piece of legislation in NZ called the Privacy Act designed to protect people against this appalling practise).
• expert recruiters will discuss any possible opportunities with individuals and carefully match individual's goals, abilities and skills with the employers needs, wants and culture including scope for development, team fit, company ethics etc.
• experienced recruiters will maintain an open and professional relationship with the employer transparently sharing any fees, expenses and services delivered in managing a role or in one-off talent scouting services.
• ethical recruiters will never charge a fee for talent scouting without prior agreement by the client - it's unprofessional if not dishonest

Talent Scouting

This needs a little definition.In the world of professional recruitment - recruiters forge close relationships with employers and manager who share commercially sensitive information such as future growth plans, and talent demands.

This partnership approach allows recruitment partners to communicate with this client when they identify, personally interview and professionally qualify an amazing person who has just the skills the business needs - and requests that the recruiter explores opportunities with that employer for them.

This is a valuable Talent Scouting service and is one employers will pay a fee for when they employ that exceptional person. This helps explain why not all jobs are advertised, and why many individuals do not apply to advertised jobs.

Talent Scouting is NOT:

1. running an unsolicited advert for a role you are not engaged to recruit for (yes this seen this recently)
2. sending summaries of individuals to employers without the individual's knowledge or consent (yes seen this before)
3. engaging with individuals by representing you are an authorised recruiter for the client when you are not - (sorry this happen far too often)
4. charging a fee to an employer for doing any of 1, 2 or 3 above
5. charging a fee to an employer without making them aware of the fee and what it is for - after you have "represented" the job-seeker 

Points 1-5 are what I consider to be PAYWAVE RECRUITING - low quality, low engagement and unsolicited.

Avoid paywave recruiters by using RCSA members

Employers should:

• always ask for and see professional terms of trade before accepting CV's or engaging on dedicated recruitment round
• expect to agree on any recruitment activity when a recruiter is representing your organisation - consider advertising content, your branding, salary ranges, benefits discussed and communication channels
• be openly communicated on any pre-employment discussions that may affect your future employment relationships
• check to see the recruiter is a member of the RCSA

Job-seekers should:

• always ask for job descriptions on the company stationery
• ask the recruiter if the employer has authorised the recruiter to act for the employer
• expect to be consulted on and give permission before your private information is given to any employer - EVER!
• be able to trust the recruiter is acting in good faith for both the individual and the employer - allowing open negotiation on any issues as they happen - this also means job-seeker need to be open, honest and be able to trust their consultant

Recruitment is a professional partnership between employers, recruiters and job-seeker it is not PAYWAVE

Note: RCSA is the professional body for Professional Recruiters in New Zealand. Palmerston North Personnel are proud members of the RCSA, and we have the logo on our website and the membership certificate in our office confirms we joined the RCSA in August 1994.

 https://www.rcsa.com.au/