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NRRA seal The NRRA
Reverse Recruiters Assn.
⇄ About the association

We set the standard for the candidate's advocate.

The NRRA is an independent professional body for reverse recruiters — the people hired by job seekers to run and win their search.

Our mission

Make "reverse recruiter" mean something.

When anyone can call themselves a reverse recruiter, clients have no way to tell skill from marketing. The NRRA exists to change that — to define the competencies of the profession, certify the people who have them, and give the public a mark they can trust.

We are modeled on the mature standards bodies of adjacent professions — resume writing, career coaching, and recruiting — and adapted to the specific work of representing a candidate end to end.

What we believe

  • The client comes first. A reverse recruiter's loyalty is to the job seeker, always.
  • Results are verifiable. Claims about outcomes should be backed by evidence.
  • Ethics are non-negotiable. Transparency on fees, methods, and expectations.
  • The craft can be taught. Certification is a ladder anyone can climb.

Code of ethics

The NRRA member commitment.

Every member agrees to uphold these principles. Certified members can be reviewed for adherence, and serious violations can result in loss of credential.

I. Loyalty

I represent my client's interests above my own and above any employer, and I disclose any conflict of interest.

II. Honesty

I describe my services, fees, and likely outcomes truthfully, and I never guarantee results I cannot control.

III. Confidentiality

I protect my client's personal information and never share it without clear, informed consent.

IV. Competence

I practice within my skill, keep my knowledge current, and refer work I am not equipped to handle.

V. Fair dealing

I treat employers, peers, and the profession with respect, and I never misrepresent a client to a hiring party.

VI. Accountability

I submit verifiable evidence when claiming outcomes, and I accept review by the association.

Governance

How the NRRA is run.

The association is directed by a founding board and independent committees. The people who set standards are kept separate from the people who compete for honors.

Board of Directors

Sets the association's mission, approves the certification framework, and appoints committee chairs. Founding board seated 2026 — chaired by Founding President Arno Markus.

Certification Committee

Owns the competency model, exams, and portfolio review. Independent of any single member firm.

Awards & Integrity Panel

Runs the Championship and annual awards using blind judging and a published rubric, insulated from board and sponsor influence.

A note on integrity. To protect the credibility of every credential and award, the NRRA separates governance from competition. No board member, sponsor, or staffer may influence the scoring of any entry, and entries are judged blind. This is what makes an NRRA honor worth winning.