Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Illuminate Talent ("we," "us," or "our") is a strategic recruiting firm specializing in direct hire placements, temp-to-hire roles, contracting, and payroll services for the defense, technology, and corporate sectors. We are committed to protecting the privacy of all individuals who interact with our website at www.illuminate-talent.com (the "Site").

This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, with whom we share it, and what rights you have with respect to your personal information. Please read this policy carefully. By using our Site or submitting information to us, you agree to the practices described herein.

2. Who This Policy Covers

This Privacy Policy applies to two primary groups of individuals who provide personal information to Illuminate Talent:

Employer Clients and Business Representatives

Professionals who contact us to discuss hiring needs, schedule consultations, or engage our recruiting services. If you submit the contact form, send an email, or call us to inquire about talent solutions, this policy applies to you.

Job Candidates and Applicants

Individuals who submit resumes, express interest in employment opportunities, or otherwise share their professional background with us for the purpose of job placement. This includes candidates placed in direct hire, temp-to-hire, contract, and payroll service roles across defense, technology, and corporate functions.

Note: Candidates applying for defense or government-related roles may share information regarding security clearances, government identifiers, or other sensitive employment credentials. We treat such information with heightened care as described in Section 4 below.

3. Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

We collect personal information that you voluntarily submit to us, including through the following channels:

Contact Form (all visitors)

When you complete the "Get in Touch" form on our Site, we collect:

• Full name
• Email address
• Company name (optional)
• Message content

Resume and Candidate Submissions

When you submit your resume or professional background for placement consideration, we may collect:

• Full name, address, phone number, and email address
• Employment history, job titles, and professional experience
• Educational background and credentials
• Professional licenses and certifications
• Security clearance level and clearance-related identifiers (for defense and government-sector positions)
• References and reference contact information
• Any other information you choose to include in your resume or cover materials

Consultation Requests (employer clients)

When you reach out to schedule a consultation or discuss hiring needs, we collect the contact information you provide and the details of your staffing requirements.

Information We Collect Automatically

When you visit our Site, we may automatically collect certain technical and usage data, including:

• IP address and approximate geographic location
• Browser type and version
• Pages viewed and time spent on the Site
• Referring URL (where you came from)
• Device type and operating system

This information is collected through standard web server logs and, if applicable, analytics tools. It is used to maintain and improve the performance and security of our Site.

4. How We Use Your Information

For Employer Clients

• To respond to consultation requests and inquiries
• To identify and present qualified candidates for your hiring needs
• To manage our business relationship and service engagements with your organization
• To communicate updates relevant to active or pending placements

For Job Candidates

• To evaluate your background and qualifications for current and future job opportunities
• To submit your profile to prospective employer clients for consideration (with your consent where required)
• To communicate with you about relevant openings, interview scheduling, and placement status
• To maintain records of your candidacy for future opportunities
• To facilitate onboarding, contracting, or payroll services where applicable

For All Users

• To operate, maintain, and improve our Site
• To respond to your messages and inquiries submitted through the contact form
• To comply with applicable legal obligations
• To protect the security and integrity of our business operations

Sensitive Clearance Information: Information related to security clearances is used solely to match candidates with appropriately cleared positions and is not disclosed to any party without a demonstrated need-to-know in connection with a legitimate placement opportunity.

5. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:

With Prospective Employers

For candidates, we may share your resume and professional background with employer clients who have a legitimate hiring need aligned with your qualifications. We will not submit your profile to an employer without your knowledge and agreement.

With Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party vendors who assist us in operating our business (e.g., email platforms, website hosting, applicant tracking tools). These providers are authorized to use your data only as necessary to provide services to us.

For Legal Compliance

We may disclose information if required to do so by law, court order, regulatory authority, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Illuminate Talent, our clients, candidates, or others.

6. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, to maintain an active business relationship with you, or as required by law. Candidate resumes and professional profiles are retained to support future placement opportunities unless you request deletion. Employer client contact information is retained for the duration of our business relationship and a reasonable period thereafter.

If you would like us to delete your information, please contact us as described in Section 10.

7. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but are committed to protecting your data with industry-appropriate measures.

Given the sensitive nature of defense and government-sector candidate information, we take additional care in handling materials that may contain security clearance details or government identifiers.

8. Third-Party Links

Our Site may contain links to third-party websites, including our LinkedIn company page. This Privacy Policy applies only to our Site. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites and encourage you to review their policies independently.

9. Children's Privacy

Our Site and services are directed to adults in a professional employment context. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of 16. If we become aware that we have inadvertently received information from a minor, we will delete it promptly.

10. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have certain rights with respect to your personal information, including the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal retention requirements
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
• Opt out of future communications from us

California residents may have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know, delete, and opt out of the sale of personal information. We do not sell personal information.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information in Section 11 below.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

12. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. When we make material changes, we will update the Effective Date at the top of this document and, where appropriate, provide notice on our Site. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.