What’s your approach when a client shares your candidate’s information with another company?
I recently had a candidate reach the final two for a position with my client.
- Ultimately, they opted for the other candidate.
- However, they mentioned they would pass my candidate’s details to other hiring agencies.
- While this could benefit my candidate by opening up new job prospects, it puts me in a tough spot.
I’m considering updating my client contract in response. How do you all manage situations like this?
RCadmin
Handling a situation where a client shares your candidate’s information with another company can be tricky, but there are several steps you can take to protect your interests while maintaining a positive relationship with your client:
Review Your Contract: Before updating your client contract, review the current agreement to see if there are any existing clauses about candidate confidentiality or non-solicitation. Highlighting any relevant provisions might strengthen your position.
Open Communication: Have a candid conversation with your client. Express your concerns about confidentiality and how sharing candidate information impacts your business. Frame the discussion around how respecting this agreement can benefit both parties.
Clarify Expectations: Moving forward, establish clear guidelines about what is acceptable regarding candidate information sharing. This can include specifying that candidates submitted through your agency remain your property for a certain period, unless otherwise agreed upon.
Strengthen Your Value Proposition: Reinforce the value you bring as an agency. Highlight the benefits of working exclusively with you for candidate sourcing, which can encourage your clients to respect confidentiality.
Consider Alternative Structures: Depending on the nature of your work, consider implementing a placement fee structure that includes protection for your candidates’ information. This could include a fee for candidates placed by another agency if they were originally submitted by you.
Follow Up with Your Candidate: Maintain a good relationship with your candidate by informing them about the situation. Encourage them to keep you in the loop regarding any opportunities that arise from this sharing, which may help you follow up with the client if necessary.
Be Proactive: In future dealings, explicitly discuss confidentiality and the potential consequences of sharing candidate information in your initial meetings with clients.
By addressing the issue proactively and clearly setting expectations, you can mitigate potential conflicts and better protect your agency’s interests.