How to hire guide for employers

	A. Application Forms
	B. Confidentiality of applications received
	C. Letter on receipt
	D. Setting times and places for the interview
	E. Deciding what type of interview is best
	F. Deciding the information you need
	G. Understanding the information that the applicant may need
	H. Assessment tasks
	I. Contacting referees and making independent inquiries
	J. Employment Agreements
	All sections on one page

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B. Confidentiality of applications received

Make arrangements to protect the security and privacy of applicants, as they can be placed in a very difficult position if confidentiality is not maintained. Disclosing details of an application without consent, even by accident, is likely to breach the Privacy Act and may ruin the relationship with a potential employee.

Be careful to maintain this confidentiality. It is usually inappropriate to leave a message with a manager or workmate at an applicant’s current workplace. If you have decided to use an application form, it can be useful to ask how and when the applicants prefer to be contacted.

There are also legal requirements regarding the handling of material provided by applicants that is covered in the section on dealing with unsuccessful applicants. More detailed information is available on the Privacy Commissioner’s website: www.privacy.org.nz [external link].

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This page was last updated on: 19-Feb-2009 and is current.