Privacy & cookies.
Updated 5 October 2026. Skills Database operates skillsdatabase.co.uk. Contact the operator through our private privacy support form.
What we collect and why
Account name, email, password hash and verification status provide secure access. Candidates choose to add skills, examples, work history, education, qualifications, city, postcode, work preferences and a CV to use recruitment services. Employers provide company information, adverts and recruitment notes. We also hold applications, saved searches, introductions, messages and support requests.
We use account and recruitment data to provide the service you request (contract). Candidate discovery and email alerts follow your optional choices, which you can withdraw. Security, moderation, limited activity records and abuse prevention support our legitimate interests in operating a safe recruitment service. Legal obligations may require retaining certain records.
Who sees your information
Profiles are private by default. If you enable discovery, approved employers can see your professional headline, city, skills, evidence, experience, qualifications, salary preference, availability and activity. Your name, email and CV are shared after you accept an introduction. Applying shares your profile snapshot, answers, application statement and CV with that employer. Information you put into free-text profile fields may reveal your identity: check it carefully.
Employers receiving your application or accepted introduction are responsible for their own recruitment use of that information. Hiding or blocking future access cannot retract previously downloaded files. The site owner can access information needed to moderate and support the service.
Hosting and other services
The application and private CVs are hosted in your UK cPanel server account. Email is sent through the hosting mail system. Optional postcode coordinates are resolved using Postcodes.io; the postcode is sent to that service without your account name or CV. Partner job sources receive your visit when you follow an external application link. Their own privacy notices apply there.
CV files are security-scanned on this server. No CVs are sent to a third-party AI provider. Skill matching uses an explicit dictionary and your declared skill names. It makes no automated hiring or rejection decision.
Your choices and rights
Edit your profile and discovery setting at any time. Block exact company names, decline introductions, stop alerts by removing a saved search and download your data from Account & privacy. Close your account to suspend access and request erasure. You may request access, correction, deletion, restriction or objection where applicable, or withdraw optional choices through your account or the privacy form. You can raise a concern with the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Retention
Profiles become undiscoverable after 12 months without an update. Closing an account immediately hides it and records an erasure request for owner review, normally within one month. Applications and messages are reviewed for deletion 12 months after closure or completion unless a lawful reason requires longer retention. Employers should use their own proportionate retention policies for downloaded data. Private daily backups are retained for 30 days. Replaced CVs may remain associated with earlier applications or backups until their retention period ends.
Cookies
We use essential session, security and “remember me” cookies to sign you in and protect forms. We do not currently run advertising pixels or third-party analytics cookies. Signing out ends your session; selecting “remember me” creates a longer-lived login cookie. No cookie consent banner is needed for this essential-cookie-only configuration.