Question 1

Is it really free for candidates?

Accepted Answer

Yes - completely and permanently free. Restart Talent charges employers, not candidates. You will never be asked to pay anything to create a profile, be discovered, or get hired through the platform. If you are ever asked to pay money by anyone claiming to be from Restart Talent, do not pay and report it immediately to legal@restarttalent.co.uk.

Question 2

Is there a minimum age to use Restart Talent?

Accepted Answer

Yes - you must be at least 18 years old to register on Restart Talent, whether as a candidate or an employer. By registering, you confirm that you are 18 or over. If we become aware that someone under 18 has created an account, we will remove it immediately along with all associated data.

Question 3

How do I sign up?

Accepted Answer

Register directly on the website or through the app. You will need to create an account, build your profile, and upload a valid proof of identity and your CV. Our admin team will then review and verify everything before your profile goes live.

Question 4

What do I need to get verified and go live?

Accepted Answer

Two things are required before your profile can go live: a valid proof of identity (such as a passport, driving licence, or national identity card) and your CV. Everything else - proof of address, DBS certificate, references, qualifications, introduction video, photographs, and portfolio work - is entirely optional. The more you upload, the stronger your profile, but only your proof of identity and CV are mandatory.

Question 5

How long does verification take?

Accepted Answer

Our admin team reviews every profile manually before it goes live. Once all your content and documents are submitted and in order, verification typically takes up to 2 working days. If anything does not meet our standards, we will notify you with the specific reason and what needs to change. You will receive a notification once your profile has been approved and is live.

Question 6

What happens if my profile is rejected?

Accepted Answer

If your profile or any document does not meet our standards - for example, your ID is unclear, expired, or the name does not match your profile - we will notify you with the specific reason and tell you exactly what needs to change. You can then resubmit, and the 2 working day review window starts again from the point we receive your updated submission.

Question 7

Can I have more than one account?

Accepted Answer

No. Each candidate may only hold one account on the platform. Creating multiple accounts is a breach of our Terms of Business and may result in permanent removal.

Question 8

What can I put on my profile?

Accepted Answer

You can upload almost anything that helps you showcase your professional self - your CV, work history, education, skills, references, languages, certifications, portfolio pieces, project work, case studies, an introduction video, and professional photographs. There is no upper limit on what you can add. The more complete and compelling your profile, the more likely you are to be discovered by the right employers.

Question 9

What can employers see before they unlock my profile?

Accepted Answer

Before an employer spends a credit to unlock your profile, they can see your initials (not your full name), your professional headline, job title, work history, education, skills, languages, certificates, CV, and any portfolio or project work you have uploaded. Your CV is visible before unlock but your name is automatically redacted on it so you cannot be identified from it alone. Employers cannot see your full name, email address, phone number, LinkedIn URL, photographs, or introduction video until they unlock your profile.

Question 10

What do employers see after they unlock my profile?

Accepted Answer

After an employer pays one credit to unlock your profile, they gain access to your full name, email address, telephone number, LinkedIn URL (if provided), photographs, introduction video (if uploaded), and your professional references. Your supporting documents - such as your passport, DBS certificate, or proof of address - remain locked and are only shared if you individually choose to release them.

Question 11

Can I upload an introduction video?

Accepted Answer

Yes - and we strongly recommend it. An introduction video is one of the most powerful ways to stand out. It is hidden from employers until they unlock your profile, so only employers who are genuinely interested in you will see it.

Question 12

How do I make my profile stand out?

Accepted Answer

Go beyond the CV. Upload a clear introduction video, add portfolio pieces and project work, include professional references, list your languages and certifications, and write a compelling skills summary. Employers are browsing for people who can demonstrate what they can do - not just list where they have worked.

Question 13

Can I remove content I have uploaded?

Accepted Answer

Yes - you can update or remove content at any time via your account settings. Photographs and introduction videos must be removed manually by you. Please be aware that once an employer has already viewed your photos or video after unlocking your profile, removing the content from the platform does not affect what they have already seen.

Question 14

Who can see my profile?

Accepted Answer

All verified employers on the platform can see your professional profile - including your initials, work history, skills, CV (with your name redacted), and portfolio. Your references, full name, and contact details are only revealed after an employer pays to unlock your profile. Your full name, contact details, photographs, and introduction video are only revealed to an employer who pays to unlock your profile. Your supporting documents are visible to no one unless you individually choose to release them.

Question 15

Will I know when someone views my profile?

Accepted Answer

Yes - you receive a real-time notification whenever an employer views your profile, showing you the employer's company name. You will also receive an instant notification when an employer unlocks your profile, so you always know who has access to your full name and contact details.

Question 16

Can I hide my profile temporarily?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you find a job, are no longer actively looking, or simply want a break, you can set your profile to inactive at any time from your account settings. This immediately removes your profile from employer search results. All your data is kept safe and your profile can be reactivated whenever you are ready.

Question 17

What happens to my profile when I am hired?

Accepted Answer

Once you have accepted a role, you should set your profile to inactive so employers know you are no longer available. You will also need to confirm your hire by uploading your signed contract or offer letter via the prompt on your dashboard - this is the only thing we ask of you when you are successfully hired, and it has no cost or consequence for you.

Question 18

Can employers contact me after I set my profile to inactive?

Accepted Answer

Employers who have already unlocked your profile will still have your contact details and can reach out. Setting your profile to inactive prevents new employers from discovering you and stops new unlocks - but it does not affect existing connections.

Question 19

Do I have to share my documents with every employer?

Accepted Answer

No - never. All supporting documents are locked by default. You decide which document to share, with which employer, and when. Releasing a document to one employer has absolutely no effect on any other employer. Every release is a separate, individual act that only you can initiate.

Question 20

When should I share my documents?

Accepted Answer

We recommend only releasing sensitive documents - such as your passport, proof of address, or DBS certificate - when you are confident you are at an advanced stage of a hiring process with that employer. A good rule of thumb: only share documents once you have had an interview or phone call and been told you are moving forward toward an offer.

Question 21

Is my DBS certificate safe on the platform?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your DBS certificate is stored securely and is locked to all employers by default. It can only be seen by an employer you specifically choose to release it to, one employer at a time. We do not share it with anyone else, and you can remove it from the platform at any time.

Question 22

Can I remove documents I have already uploaded?

Accepted Answer

Yes - you can delete any document from your profile at any time via your account settings. Once deleted, documents are permanently removed from our systems within 90 days. Note that any documents you have already released to a specific employer will still be held by that employer under their own data retention obligations.

Question 23

How will employers contact me?

Accepted Answer

Once an employer has unlocked your profile, they can contact you through the platform's in-app messaging system, by email, or by phone using the details revealed at unlock. All employers go through our verification process before being granted access to candidate profiles. While we take reasonable steps to confirm employers are legitimate registered businesses, we encourage you to exercise your own judgement when engaging with any employer outside the platform.

Question 24

Do I have to respond to every employer who contacts me?

Accepted Answer

No - you are under no obligation to respond to any employer message. You are in complete control of which employers you engage with.

Question 25

What if an employer sends inappropriate messages?

Accepted Answer

Report it to us immediately at legal@restarttalent.co.uk. Include the employer's name, a description of what happened, and any screenshots. We treat all reports as a matter of urgency, investigate thoroughly, and will take action up to and including permanent removal of the employer from the platform. We will keep you informed of the outcome.

Question 26

What if an employer asks me to pay money or commit fraud?

Accepted Answer

Do not comply with any such request. If an employer asks you to pay money as a condition of employment, asks you to falsify documents, or asks you to do anything that feels dishonest or illegal, report it to us immediately at legal@restarttalent.co.uk. We take this extremely seriously.

Question 27

What if an employer asks me not to tell Restart Talent about my hire?

Accepted Answer

Report it to us immediately. Asking you to conceal a hire is a serious breach of the employer's obligations and may constitute fraud. You can report this confidentially to legal@restarttalent.co.uk.

Question 28

What happens when I accept a job offer?

Accepted Answer

Once you have accepted an offer, set your profile to inactive and upload your signed contract or offer letter via the prompt on your dashboard. That is all we need from you. The hire confirmation is used to verify the hire so the employer's success fee can be processed - it costs you nothing and takes under a minute.

Question 29

Why do I need to confirm my hire?

Accepted Answer

Restart Talent charges employers a success fee when a hire is made - this is how the platform is funded and kept completely free for candidates. Your confirmation allows us to verify the hire and process that fee. It is also your protection: independently confirming your hire means no employer can later deny it happened.

Question 30

Does getting hired through Restart Talent cost me anything?

Accepted Answer

No - never. The success fee is paid entirely by the employer. You will never be charged anything, at any stage, for using the platform or for being successfully hired through it.

Question 31

What are my data protection rights?

Accepted Answer

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to access the data we hold about you, correct inaccurate data, request deletion of your data, restrict processing, receive your data in a portable format, and object to processing. To exercise any of these rights, contact privacy@restarttalent.co.uk. We will respond within one calendar month.

Question 32

How do I delete my account?

Accepted Answer

You can delete your account via your account settings or by contacting legal@restarttalent.co.uk. Before deletion is completed, you will be shown a clear warning that your profile, all uploaded content, and your full messaging history will be permanently and irreversibly deleted. Account deletion cannot be undone.

Question 33

What happens to my data when I delete my account?

Accepted Answer

Your personal data and uploaded documents will be permanently deleted or anonymised within 90 days of account closure. This 90-day window exists to allow recovery in case of accidental deletion. Messaging history is also permanently deleted. Note that documents you have already released to specific employers will be held by those employers under their own data policies.

Candidate FAQ

Getting Started

Your Profile

Privacy & Visibility

Documents

Employers & Safety

Getting Hired

Account & Data