In the recruiting industry, success is built on relationships—and relationships are built on trust. At The Clark Agency, we believe that trust begins with integrity.
Integrity isn’t just a value we talk about, it’s the standard we live by. It means being honest with our clients, transparent with our candidates, and ethical in every decision we make. It also means taking responsibility when we make mistakes and doing everything we can to make it right. Above all, this means treating everyone with fairness, respect, and professionalism throughout the hiring process. At The Clark Agency, integrity isn’t optional—it’s who we are.
- For clients, integrity ensures they’re getting accurate, honest representations of candidates—individuals who truly align with their company’s needs and culture.
- For candidates, it means their goals, values, and potential are being represented truthfully—not oversold or manipulated for the sake of a placement.
Here are some common—and unfortunately all too real—examples of unethical behavior that recruiters might make. At best, these choices show a lack of integrity. At worst, they can seriously harm careers, damage reputations, and erode trust in entire organizations.
1. Misrepresenting Job Details
- What it looks like: Intentionally lying about salary, benefits, responsibilities, job security, or company culture to get a candidate to accept an offer.
- Why it’s unethical: It sets the candidate up for disappointment or failure and damages trust in the employer and recruiter alike.
2. Resume Padding or Altering Candidate Info
- What it looks like: Tweaking a candidate’s resume without their permission to make them seem more qualified.
- Why it’s unethical: It misleads the client, and the candidate may be held accountable for experience or skills they don’t actually possess.
3. Ghosting Candidates
- What it looks like: Cutting off communication after interviews or not providing updates, even when the candidate invested time and effort.
- Why it’s unethical: It’s disrespectful, unprofessional, and damages the candidate experience and the agency’s brand.
4. Pushing Candidates Into Roles for Commission
- What it looks like: Pressuring candidates to accept roles they’re unsure about because the recruiter wants to close the deal.
- Why it’s unethical: It prioritizes the recruiter’s gain over the candidate’s long-term fit or satisfaction.
5. Favoritism or Bias
- What it looks like: Promoting certain candidates based on personal preferences, biases, or relationships rather than merit.
- Why it’s unethical: It undermines equal opportunity and can lead to discrimination claims.
6. Sending a Candidate’s Resume Without Consent
- What it looks like: Forwarding resumes to clients without the candidate’s knowledge or approval.
- Why it’s unethical: It breaches trust and confidentiality, and can even lead to legal issues.
7. Poaching from Existing Clients
- What it looks like: Recruiting employees from a company that’s already a paying client.
- Why it’s unethical: It creates a conflict of interest and violates professional agreements.
8. Falsifying References or Background Info
- What it looks like: Ignoring red flags or even creating fake references to help a candidate get hired.
- Why it’s unethical: It puts the hiring company at risk and can damage the recruiter’s credibility long-term.
When integrity is present, we create lasting partnerships. We earn genuine trust and create outcomes where everyone wins. Most importantly, we contribute to stronger workplaces and healthier, more respectful company cultures.
But when integrity is missing, the impact can be deeply damaging—broken relationships, legal risks, and reputational harm that can take years to repair.
At The Clark Agency, we see ourselves as more than recruiters—we’re stewards of opportunity and advocates for career growth. That responsibility includes being unwavering pillars of honesty, transparency, and ethics. Because at the end of the day, people may not remember every detail of a conversation—but they always remember how we made them feel. And integrity leaves the best impression possible.
If you’re interested in learning more about our strategy and honest approach to recruiting, please reach out to our Founder, Ryan Clark (ryan.clark@theclarkagency-us.com).
