The recruitment industry has long been criticised by both clients and candidates for a lack of ethics. It is a burden that we carry and often have to justify. The reputation that you build as a recruitment consultant will stay with you for years to come.

Make sure that your reputation is one of the highest integrity and one you can be proud of.

Be proud of the companies that have grown because of the people you have placed; be proud of the candidates who have made outstanding careers within the companies that you recommended they join.

The role of a recruitment consultant is not one to be taken lightly. Although it many not seem immediately obvious, the recruitment consultant has enormous privilege. The privilege to delve into the background of candidates, to ask confronting questions, to speak about their candidates to others (both clients and referees) and the privilege to make judgment on their suitability to progress within the industry.

This privilege extends to being privy to confidential commercial information about their clients. A thorough recruitment consultant has to understand the financial viability of their clients, know what their future vision entails and be aware of the client's environments including any idiosyncrasies that could impact on potentially successful candidates.

With this privilege comes responsibility. Recruitment consultants have the ability to influence people's lives and businesses. A consultant can encourage, cajole and motivate candidates to accept offers and in fact motivate clients to make those offers in the first place.

Do you ask yourself when making these recommendations:

·    Is this role going to provide the career path that the candidate is looking for?

·    Will the candidate flourish in the environment provided by the client?

·    Will the client be able to positively manage this candidate?

·    Will this placement positively effect the client's bottom line?

If you are not, it is worth considering the moral principles that are involved in the profession of providing service to both businesses and individuals.

Some of the names of these principles are a mouthful, but their essence is imperative to providing the highest level of professional and ethical service.

Veracity

Veracity means truthfulness. Consultants have an obligation to be honest in all dealings with both clients and candidates. This not only means dealing truthfully on all levels, but also not failing to disclose all relevant information. This honesty or truthfulness must extend to:

·    All client and candidate interviews and meetings

·    All advertising, electronic or print

·    All negotiations of terms of business, charges and services

Justice

Justice or fairness, means providing equal treatment to all people. Everyone, regardless of age, sex, race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation is entitled to equal treatment in pursuit of employment.

Justice also extends to interfering or prohibiting clients searching for candidates through additional means and candidates seeking further employment sources.

Recruitment consultants must have a good understanding of all the legal, statutory and government requirements governing the employment sector they represent and must not recommend assignments that could fall outside these regulations.

Nonmaleficence

Nonmaleficence (a real mouthful) means safety which of course translates to ensuring that as a consultant you do not knowing allow a candidate to engage in an unsafe environment. It also means that as a consultant you must consciously assess the risk of any environment that you are likely to put a candidate in.

Beneficence

Beneficence means promoting good for others. As discussed before, the recommendation of a candidate to a client and a role to a candidate has to based on the understanding of the needs of both the client and candidate and that the resulting placement will promote a positive step forward for all involved.

Fidelity

Fidelity means that professional recruitment consultants make honest promises and honour their commitments to those that have sought their service. Very simply put this means doing what you say you will do. If you are not going to do it - don't say you will!

Confidentiality and Privacy

Confidentiality and Privacy means just what it says. As a consultant you may be aware of some very confidential information that must not be disclosed without explicit permission, and it is up to you to ensure that you have made every endeavour to protect that information.

Without a doubt the Recruitment industry is a vital contributor to the economy and genuinely provides a service to both business and individuals. Its privileges are high and the associated responsibilities are enormous. Do not take this role lightly.

Provide quality and ethical service to all your candidates and clients and you will be sought after time and again. Start building your reputation on a solid and ethical foundation.

Your bottom line at all times should be "The Reality of The Situation".

For objective career information for recruitment consultants or to progress your recruitment career; contact John Sharpe of Human Capital Management Ltd. on 01 6619505 or 086 8130676, email john@humancapital.ie or log on to www.humancapital.ie