Posted by Pam Robison on Sep 12, 2024

Recently, a candidate-side recruiter in one country shared a potential candidate with a Job-side recruiter in another. This type of collaboration is strongly encouraged within our network, as cross-border placements are a vital part of what makes our split placement network so successful. After all, we are a global network of independently owned recruiting firms, working together to make cooperative placements.

However, in this case, there was an issue. While screening the candidate, the candidate-side recruiter asked questions that were illegal to ask in the job-side recruiter's country, putting that recruiter in potential legal jeopardy.

Certain countries have strict laws regarding what can be asked during the screening and interviews, which also extend to third-party recruiters. These laws include questions about age, gender, current salary, and more. Violating these laws can have serious consequences. In some countries, candidate resumes may include a picture of the candidate. In other countries, a picture should NOT be included on the resume to prevent the hiring authority from being (potentially) liable for breaking strict anti-discrimination laws.

If you’re a candidate-side recruiter wishing to work with a job-side recruiter located in another country, it's important to not only learn about the job but also to ask if there are any local recruiting laws you need to be aware of while screening candidates. This will help you avoid legal issues and ensure smooth collaboration across borders. You can also do your homework and make sure you understand laws in the countries you are recruiting in. Let's face it, Google can find anything!!