When discussing an employer’s involvement in pre-employment activity, it is important to ensure that the expectations of everyone involved are clearly understood by all parties.

The employer, your organisation and your clients all need to be clear about what the process and expected end result is going to be.

• Understand what the employer is offering – don’t make an assumption that this will automatically lead to recruitment and don’t push them to increase their involvement before they are ready.
• Be clear about what you are asking for – don’t try to hide an approach for recruitment in a request for a work placement.
• Think about the support that you will need to provide to the employer and ensure that this is in place from the start of their involvement.
• Make sure that clients understand the processes involved and what the expected outcomes will be – don’t raise their expectations that this will always lead to a job.