Discuss a candidate portfolio that includes confidential work
Help a candidate show relevant experience without asking them to share protected materials.
Candidates in design, engineering, and product roles often have useful work they cannot freely share. A recruiter can still help them present their experience. Begin by asking what the candidate is permitted to discuss, what they want excluded, and which skills can be described without exposing a former employer’s materials. The client needs a clear view of capability, while the candidate retains control over confidential information.
Invite the candidate to describe the problem, their role, tools used, and decision they influenced in general terms. Ask whether a sanitized example exists and whether they want to review any summary before it is submitted. Avoid requesting screenshots, customer names, source files, or documents the candidate does not have permission to disclose.
Recruiter Sonia said, “The hiring manager wants to see examples of your launch work.” Candidate Mark replied, “The dashboards contain customer data, so I cannot send them.” Sonia answered, “That makes sense. Could we describe the audience, your contribution, and the measurement problem without identifying the company or users?” Mark said he built reporting for a regional operations team and could share a public presentation about the methods. Sonia said, “I will ask whether that evidence fits the review and send you the proposed summary first.”
For practice, choose a fictional portfolio with one restricted project. Draft three job related statements that explain the candidate’s contribution without revealing protected details. Roleplay a manager requesting the original file. Practice responding with a respectful boundary and an alternative question about the evidence they need. Review the notes for candidate approval before any material moves to the client.
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