Candidate T&Cs

NextStep — Terms and Conditions for Candidates

Last updated: 24/11/25

All use of our website and mobile app for the NextStep service (together, the "Platform") including all services, media and data available on it, is governed by these Terms and Conditions ("Terms") and our Privacy Policy (which sets out how we process personal data). By using the Platform, you consent to that processing and you warrant that all data provided by you is accurate.

To make this easier to navigate, we've set the Terms out in three sections:

  • PART A: INTRODUCTION
  • PART B: PROVISIONS SPECIFIC FOR CANDIDATES
  • PART C: GENERAL

PART A: INTRODUCTION

1. Information about us

Registered company name: Affinity Labs Ltd (operating the NextStep Platform)

Company number: 16564102

Registered office: 2nd Floor College House, 17 King Edwards Road, Ruislip, London, United Kingdom, HA4 7AE

Email: support@affinitylabs.ai (general support) | legal@affinitylabs.ai (legal notices)

What is NextStep?

NextStep provides an online Platform that helps individual users who are seeking employment opportunities ("Candidate(s)", "you", "your") discover roles and connect with companies and recruitment teams ("Employer(s)"). Interactions on the Platform occur between Candidates and Employers. NextStep is not a party to, agent of, or responsible for, any eventual employment contract between a Candidate and an Employer.

2. Acceptance of Terms

By visiting or using the Platform as a Candidate, whether or not you register an account, you accept these Terms and agree to comply with them. If you do not agree, stop using the Platform immediately. We may change these Terms by posting a new version on this page and, where appropriate, notifying you by email or in-app notice. Please check back regularly.

3. Accessing the Platform

Subject to these Terms, we grant you a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use the Platform. We may update or change the Platform to reflect our users' needs and business priorities. We do not guarantee the Platform will always be available, uninterrupted, secure or error-free, and we may suspend or withdraw access for business or operational reasons. We'll try to give reasonable notice.

The Platform is currently made available to Candidates free of charge, but we may introduce paid features in future (we'll notify you first).

4. Security and acceptable use

If you choose or are provided with a password or any other credential as part of our security procedures, you must keep it confidential and not share it. We may disable credentials if you fail to comply with these Terms. You are responsible for configuring your own IT and using your own virus protection. Do not misuse the Platform (e.g., introducing malware, attempting unauthorised access, or attacking the Platform).

Certain conduct — including attempting to gain unauthorised access, introducing malicious code, or interfering with the operation of the Platform — may constitute a criminal offence under the Computer Misuse Act 1990. We may report such conduct to law enforcement and will cooperate by disclosing relevant information, including your identity.

You may link to our home page, provided this is done in a fair and lawful manner and does not damage our reputation or imply any association, approval or endorsement where none exists.

You must not:

  • establish a link from a website you do not own;
  • frame the Platform within another site;
  • create a link to any part of the Platform other than the home page;
  • use our branding or trademarks without permission.

We may withdraw linking permission at any time and without notice.

PART B: PROVISIONS SPECIFIC FOR CANDIDATES

5. Eligibility, registration and your account

  • Minimum age: You must be 18 or over.
  • Registration: You may create an account ("Account"). We may accept or reject registrations at our discretion, and may suspend or terminate Accounts at any time for breach, risk, or misuse.
  • Accuracy: You agree to provide true, accurate, current and complete information and keep it updated. You're responsible for all activities on your Account. You agree not to create an Account using a false identity or on behalf of someone else, and not to have more than one Account.
  • External profiles: You may provide links to profiles (e.g., LinkedIn, portfolio sites). Where lawful, we may enrich your candidate profile using information from those sources or other legitimate data sources.
  • Single Account Requirement: You may only create and maintain one Account. Creating multiple Accounts, or creating an Account on behalf of another person, is strictly prohibited and may result in suspension or termination.

6. Onboarding with AI

To complete onboarding, you may be asked to speak with our AI assistant(s) long enough for it to understand your experience, preferences and goals. Calls or chats may be recorded and transcribed to improve matching quality and the candidate experience. If you don't complete onboarding, your Account may remain in a limited status.

  • Special Category Data: During AI interactions, you might voluntarily share information that could be sensitive (e.g., health, ethnicity). You'll be asked to explicitly consent (via a checkbox) before any such data is processed. You can withdraw consent at any time (your prior processing remains lawful).
  • No binding commitments via AI: Interactions with our AI do not create legal or contractual obligations of any kind. Any employment agreement is strictly between you and the Employer, and any legal commitment with NextStep must be in a written agreement signed by an authorised signatory of Affinity Labs Ltd.

Employment Agreements Not Formed Through the Platform

For clarity, any discussions, assessments or recommendations you receive through the Platform — including via our AI — do not constitute an offer of employment, a contract, or a legally binding commitment of any kind.

All employment agreements, offer letters, contracts for services, or negotiations relating to compensation, duties, or terms of work must be made directly between you and the Employer, in writing.

Any legal or commercial agreement with NextStep or Affinity Labs Ltd must be made in a written contract signed by an authorised representative of Affinity Labs Ltd.

7. AI accuracy statement

Our matching uses generative AI and other algorithms. AI can be wrong and may occasionally produce inaccurate, speculative or outdated information. Treat AI outputs as assistive suggestions only, not definitive professional advice. Always use your judgement and verify details (e.g., role requirements, compensation, location, visa eligibility) with the Employer.

We take reasonable steps to improve AI quality (e.g., testing, monitoring, data checks) but we cannot guarantee accuracy or completeness and disclaim liability arising from reliance on AI outputs, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

We take reasonable steps, including model evaluation, testing, data quality checks and ongoing monitoring, to improve the accuracy, reliability and relevance of AI-generated outputs. However, due to the inherent limitations of AI systems, we cannot guarantee perfect accuracy or error-free results.

8. Scope of service; no promise of outcome

NextStep helps Candidates discover roles and facilitates introductions. We do not guarantee interviews, offers or employment, and we're not responsible for Employers' conduct, screening questions, response times, policies, or decisions.

9. Introductions and data sharing with Employers

  • Automatic Introductions as Default Setting: By creating an Account and completing onboarding, you acknowledge and agree that NextStep's default setting is to automatically introduce you to Employers that we reasonably believe match your experience, skills, preferences and stated career goals. This includes sharing elements of your candidate profile such as your CV, work history, skills, preferences, location and other relevant information. If you do not wish for automatic introductions to occur, you must change your privacy or introduction preferences in your Account settings before we initiate any introductions. You may update these settings at any time.
  • Opt-out controls: You can change your settings at any time to require explicit consent before we introduce you to an Employer, or to stop further sharing entirely. You can also email support@affinitylabs.ai to adjust preferences.
  • External applications: Some roles may require you to apply on third-party sites. We are not responsible for those sites, their content, their processing of your data, or any conditions they impose.

10. Candidate conduct

You agree not to: (i) submit false or misleading information; (ii) harass, discriminate, or use hateful speech; (iii) attempt to disrupt the Platform or violate its security; (iv) scrape, copy or misuse data you access via the Platform; (v) use the Platform for any unlawful purpose. We may investigate, warn, suspend or terminate Accounts at our discretion.

11. Candidate content

You may upload CVs and other materials ("Candidate Content"). You represent that you have the right to share such content. You retain ownership of Candidate Content, but you grant NextStep a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, transferable and sub-licensable licence to host, use, reproduce, process, adapt, translate, modify, publish, display and share Candidate Content for operating and improving the Platform and facilitating recruitment (including sharing with relevant Employers). We may retain copies while your Account is active and as required for legal, audit and security purposes.

12. Messaging and notifications

You may receive Platform messages, emails or notifications related to your activity (e.g., introductions, employer messages, reminders). We do not guarantee delivery times or availability of such communications. You can adjust notification preferences in your settings.

Messages, alerts or notifications you receive through the Platform (including email notifications) are provided as a courtesy. We do not guarantee their delivery, timing, accuracy or continued availability. We disclaim all liability arising from any delay, failure, or error in sending, receiving or storing such communications.

13. Fees

The Platform is currently free for Candidates. If that changes, we'll notify you and provide updated terms.

14. Complaints and support

If you have a complaint about the Platform, contact support@affinitylabs.ai. We aim to respond promptly, but we do not guarantee any specific resolution time.

15. Termination

We may suspend or terminate your Account at any time if you breach these Terms, create risk, cause potential harm, or where required by law. You may close your Account at any time in settings or by contacting support. Sections that by their nature should survive termination (e.g., intellectual property, liability, governing law) will continue to apply.

PART C: GENERAL

16. Intellectual property and acceptable use

We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in and to the Platform and its content (including text, graphics, images, audio, video, software, data compilations, page layout, underlying code, job adverts, company profiles and blog posts) ("Content"). Except as expressly permitted, you must not copy, reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works, or use Content for commercial purposes without our prior written consent or that of our licensors.

You may print one copy or download extracts of pages for personal use. Do not alter copies or use images, videos or graphics separately from accompanying text. Our status (and that of identified contributors) as authors must always be acknowledged.

17. Links and third-party services

Third-party websites or services linked from the Platform are provided solely for convenience. Unless expressly stated, we do not endorse, control or assume responsibility for:

  • the content of third-party sites;
  • the accuracy, completeness or legality of information on those sites;
  • the privacy or security practices of those sites;
  • any loss or damage arising from your use of them.

Accessing any third-party site is entirely at your own risk.

18. Privacy

Our processing of personal data is set out in our Privacy Policy. Among other things, it explains profiling, sharing with Employers, retention, your rights, and contact details for privacy queries.

19. Liability

We do not exclude or limit liability where it would be unlawful—e.g., death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or fraud. Subject to that:

  • We're responsible for foreseeable loss or damage caused by our breach of these Terms or failure to use reasonable care and skill. We're not responsible for loss or damage that is not foreseeable.
  • The Platform is provided to Candidates for domestic and private use. You agree not to use it for commercial or business purposes, and we have no liability for loss of profit, loss of business, business interruption, or loss of business opportunity.
  • Without limiting the AI accuracy clause above, we disclaim responsibility for the content, accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability or availability of job listings, employer information, salary data, screening questions, assessments or other materials provided by Employers or third parties.
  • To the fullest extent permitted by law, and except as set out above, our total aggregate liability to you arising out of or in connection with these Terms or the Platform shall not exceed £100 (one hundred pounds).

20. No agency; no employment promise

We are not an employment agency or employment business in respect of your specific engagement with an Employer, and we do not promise any interview, job offer, or outcome. Any employment or contract for services is strictly between you and the Employer.

21. Force majeure

Neither party is liable for delay or failure to perform due to events beyond its reasonable control (for example, internet failures, hosting outages, strikes, epidemics, natural disasters, acts of government or war).

22. Assignment and audit

You may not transfer your rights under these Terms. We may transfer our rights where we reasonably believe your rights will not be affected. We may access your Account to audit compliance with these Terms (for example, to investigate abuse, spam or scraping).

23. Entire agreement; severability; waiver; third-party rights

These Terms (plus our Privacy Policy and any in-app notices) constitute the entire agreement between you and us. If any provision is found invalid, the remainder remains in force. No delay or omission in enforcing rights is a waiver. The Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 does not apply: no third party has enforcement rights.

24. International access

The Platform is directed to people residing in the United Kingdom, United States, Europe and Canada. We do not represent that Content is appropriate or available in other locations. If you access the Platform from elsewhere, you do so at your own risk and must comply with local laws.

25. Governing law and jurisdiction

These Terms, their subject matter and formation are governed by the law of England and Wales. You and we both agree that the courts of England and Wales will have exclusive jurisdiction, except that if you are resident in Northern Ireland you may also bring proceedings there, and if resident in Scotland, you may also bring proceedings there.

26. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. We'll notify you of material changes by email or prominent notice on the Platform. Your continued use after notice indicates acceptance of the updated Terms.

27. Contact us