I was on a flight a few days ago that was, fortunately, half empty. As I indulgently stretched out on the row I had all to myself, I thought, "this will be a quiet, peaceful flight". That was until the gentlemen in the row in front of me decided to "talk shop" the entire flight. A few minutes into their fairly loud conversation I realised they were from an organisation within our industry and were discussing what was in store for them in 2013. The conversation then turned to the recruitment process for a position I remembered recently being advertised at the Sportspeople Jobs Market. They were discussing candidates and, recognising some of the applicant names, I was pleased for them having reached interview stage. Then it hit me... I could have been ANYBODY.

• I could have been a friend or family member of the candidate they were making fun of which, upon learning this could result in the candidate withdrawing from the process;
• I could have been from a competitor or similar organisation who could then approach or poach the candidates mentioned for my own business (as well as now being savvy to the other "insider" information discussed);
• I could have been an employee (or worse still, the employer) of a company where one of the candidates currently works, either putting their current employment at risk or providing the opportunity to make a counter-offer to stop the candidate from leaving.

So, when you are involved in any recruitment process please remember candidates have provided their application to you in the strictest confidence. Make it policy to keep the names and details of all candidates confidential and in particular, out of the public domain.

AL - Sportspeople Recruitment