Posted by Laura Schmieder on Jun 24, 2021

NPAworldwide splits will improve with BETTER COMMUNICATION. Treat your NPA partner like they are your BEST client.

First, a word on candidate ownership –

Just because you have the resume in your database, importer, does not mean when an exporter presents them to you it is not a split placement IF you did not consider the candidate BEFORE the exporter presented them to you. "Having" the candidate does not equal "considering" the candidate.

It will be a split. The BUT FOR rule applies. The email or call from the exporter prompted your activity – you did not consider the candidate BEFORE that communication, you looked up the candidate AFTER the exporter presented you the candidate.

Think of yourself in the reverse. How would you expect to be treated if you were the exporter? OR when you send a candidate to your employer client and THEY responded that they had the candidate somewhere in their database, what activity prompted the interest in the candidate? Did they consider the candidate BEFORE you made your presentation?

What is important is to consider the TIMING of when that information is shared. That determines when it is ACTED UPON and that ACTIVITY results in a placement. A split placement has been made if the IMPORTER acts on the EXPORTER’s presentation, if it PROMPTS the IMPORTER to want to work the candidate regardless of whether the importer had the candidate in their database or in their email or even from another affiliate.

Exporters – If you see a job posted, it is important to contact the importer BEFORE you work the search to get valuable insights and frankly, permission from the importer to work the search properly.

Be aware that candidates who quickly respond to postings, respond to ALL postings and may already be known by the importer or their client. What you can learn from the importer is why the candidate is or is not a fit, to optimize your search. We are paid huge fees to find the “purple squirrel,” the candidate the employer cannot find on their own.

Importers – be sure to COMMUNICATE fully with exporters about where you are in the search process. Use the Notes to Members section to give MORE details. Explain if you AND the client already reviewed candidates, specifics about the ideal candidate, WHY this role is important to the client and WHY a candidate should WANT to work for your employer.

The key to a split placement is the exchange of information—information of such a nature and timeliness that when it is acted upon, results in a placement. Therefore it is important importers give enough detail to help the exporter find and attract the best candidates. Then neither will waste time on poor fits.

The NPAworldwide mission statement emphasizes that we value professionalism, honesty and integrity, knowledge, and teamwork. Ethics are important to our membership.