I sent a resume with my candidates permission to a client that I have worked with for the past couple of years. I sent the resume on a (maybe there is a fit) without an actual job order from my client.. My client has given me permission to do this. My contact in HR replied " thanks for thinking of us. I am always willing to see good candidates. Nothing available now."

Anyway, I received an email a couple of day's later from the candidate asking me who I sent the resume to at the company that he had a good friend that would like to know so he could give me a reference. I had no problem giving the name since I am honest and run my business with integrity. The next day I receive another email from the candidate to please be aggressive with this company.

I called the candidate three months later to tell him that another company he had interviewed with was ready to make him an offer. Guess what? He was working at the company that I sent his resume to as a maybe there would be a fit.

I called the company right away and they stated that since there was not a job at the time and he was referred to another person that worked there I had not done anything to deserve the fee. They did admit that I sent the resume to them in 5 months earlier but there was not an actual job then. It was created after they met him. I have only a verbal agreement with the company and have not had any issues yet. Any advise?? Are there any laws or regulations that protect us?