What is the Code of Conduct for job seekers using Wellfound? and how do I report violations?
1. No spam
Do not spam introduction requests to candidates or applications to companies. There isn't a hard limit here; we track multiple variables when making this determination. So long as you're only reaching out to others you feel are a good match, you will not be affected by this. Please take the time to reach out to qualified candidates and companies thoughtfully.
Why?
We want outreach to feel personal and relevant. When users send mass, low-quality messages or applications indiscriminately, it overwhelms the community and erodes trust. We monitor for volume and patterns to ensure connections on Wellfound remain meaningful and thoughtful.
2. No advertising or solicitation
You will be restricted from using Wellfound if you use the site for advertising or soliciting goods or services instead of seeking jobs or hiring candidates.
Do not use job listings or applications for advertising:
- commercial products or services
- "entrepreneurial opportunities" to start your own business
- advertise multi-level, affiliate, or referral marketing links
- training programs - even if they end in a position
- investment opportunities
- incubator or accelerator programs
- external applications or links not to an ATS (e.g., Google Forms, Telegram, WhatsApp) that completely bypass Wellfound’s platform
- any other activity that isn't specifically job-related
Why?
Wellfound is a platform for real job seekers and hiring teams—not for marketing services, training programs, or business opportunities. Off-topic posts and pitches distract from the job search process and reduce the quality of experience for everyone.
3. No intermediaries
We do not permit contingency posts, 3rd party recruiters, or other companies that build recruiting platforms. Do not post jobs, apply to jobs, or contact candidates on behalf of companies.
- We do not permit companies who offer 3rd party recruiting services to post in house roles at this time.
Why?
Wellfound is built for direct hiring between companies and candidates. Third-party recruiters, staffing agencies, or platforms posting on behalf of others often introduce confusion, dilute accountability, and harm trust on both sides of the hiring experience. That’s why we require all users to represent themselves or their company directly.
4. Be fair and accurate
Jobs should list real compensation for currently open positions at active companies - nothing contingent on future funding. All users must accurately represent themselves - we may remove profiles or suspend access pending verification if necessary.
Not allowed:
- Concealing company information
- Charging application fees or soliciting any kind of 3rd party site signups
- Exploitative hiring processes, including:
- Unpaid internships that don’t meet legal or ethical guidelines
- Excessive take-home assignments that resemble real work without compensation or clear hiring relevance
- Misrepresenting your geographic location or impersonating someone else when applying to jobs
Why?
Candidates and companies need transparent, accurate information to make informed decisions. Misrepresenting roles, hiding company details, or listing compensation that depends on future funding misleads users and wastes their time. We aim to maintain a high-integrity job marketplace where expectations are clear.
5. Be professional
- Treat candidates, companies, and the Wellfound team with respect.
- Don't try to get around these rules or our terms of service.
- Violators may be permanently banned, potentially without warning.
Why?
Respectful, professional behavior keeps the community safe and welcoming for everyone. Harassment, manipulation, or attempts to bypass our rules harm other users and undermine the integrity of the platform. We take violations seriously to protect our users.
Reporting violations
To report bad actors please view this article or email talent@wellfound.com directly.
Why?
User reports are a vital part of keeping the platform safe. Our team reviews every report carefully and takes appropriate action, whether that’s educating a user, removing harmful content, or banning a bad actor. While we can’t always share details, your feedback helps us make Wellfound better for everyone.
Please respect our code of conduct. Violators may be permanently banned, potentially without warning.