Terms of Service

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the Hootly platform at https://hootly.org ("Platform"), operated by Hootly ("Hootly", "we", "us") of 25 Wilton Rd, London, SW1V 1LW, United Kingdom. By using the Platform, you agree to these Terms.

1. Overview

Hootly is a private jobs platform that connects job-seekers ("Candidates") with pseudonymous industry insiders ("Scouts") who may offer internal referrals to roles listed by participating companies ("Employers").

Hootly is not a recruiter, employment agency, or party to any referral agreement. We provide the infrastructure to facilitate introductions.

2. For Employers

2.1 Subscription Benefits

Employers who subscribe to Hootly on an annual basis can:

• List unlimited jobs to a curated audience of experienced candidates
• Tap into private referral networks via pseudonymous scouts
• Encourage faster, higher-quality applications through warm introductions
• Receive priority email support from the Hootly team

Many employers find that scout referrals help surface motivated applicants and reduce hiring friction - particularly for hard-to-fill roles. Results may vary.

2.2 No Guarantees

Hootly does not guarantee referral activity, candidate quality, or platform availability. Listings are provided on an "as-is" basis.

3. For Scouts

3.1 Pseudonymous Referrals

Scouts may browse job listings and choose to accept referral requests. All activity is done under an automatically generated pseudonym.

3.2 Voluntary Participation

Scouts are not vetted, employed, or managed by Hootly. We do not monitor their conduct or validate their referrals.

4. For Candidates

4.1 Referral Requests

Candidates can request referrals by submitting short pitches to Scouts. We do not vet candidates or verify submissions.

4.2 No Guarantees

We cannot promise Scout responses, interview opportunities, or outcomes. The process is user-led and voluntary.

5. Platform Conduct

Users agree not to:

• Misrepresent identity or intent
• Harass, spam, or abuse others
• Circumvent platform controls

Hootly may suspend or remove accounts that violate these terms but does not actively moderate user interactions.

6. Data and Privacy

We store only essential data, including:

• Email addresses
• Job and referral submissions
• Pseudonymous identifiers

Scout identities are kept private. For more details, see our Privacy Policy.

7. Disclaimers and Limitations

7.1 No Warranties

Hootly is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. Use is at your own risk.

7.2 No Liability for Outcomes

We accept no responsibility for:

• Missed or failed referrals
• Hiring decisions
• Candidate or scout behaviour
• Platform downtime

7.3 Liability Cap

Where permitted by law, our liability is capped at the total fees paid by you in the past 12 months.

8. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

9. Updates to Terms

We may update these Terms occasionally. Continued use of the Platform means you accept any changes.