Pet trade recruitment specialist Lynda Ward admits she is astounded by an increasing number of incidents in which a sales person's confidentiality is put at risk when applying for a new job.

“Confidentiality is key for candidates as well as clients,” says Lynda, owner of Pet Trade Solutions.

Lynda adds that a lack of confidentiality is high on the list of complaints she hears from people applying for jobs through ‘general’ recruitment agencies.

 "At Pet Trade Solutions we always fully brief potential candidates about the role, the employer and the benefits package and then obtain their agreement before sending their CV to our client," she says.

"It makes simple professional sense to me but I have been told many times that this is not the standard system used by general agencies, who frequently put CVs forward without telling the candidate even the name of the prospective employer.”

Another general recruitment practice which Lynda heartily disapproves of and says causes problems is that of sending CVs out ‘on spec’. 

“Knowing the pet industry as I do I am well aware how easily CV sent ‘on spec’ can come to the attention of a person’s current employer.”

Lynda adds: “I must say I’m particularly sorry for those people who tell me that they have been left ‘in limbo’ by unprofessional recruiters who submit them for jobs and then never contact them again – amazing! 

"Surely these people can imagine themselves in the place of the candidate and understand the frustration and disappointment of not knowing the outcome or why they’ve perhaps been rejected?  It’s a story that I’m being increasingly told and one, along with confidentiality problems, which I’m proud to say can never be told about Pet Trade Solutions.”

 Lynda is always happy to personally advise on any aspects of recruitment and marketing strategy and can be contacted on 07946 743784 or at lyndaward@pettradesolutions.com