06 January 2025
When we launched Kaplunk, it was a leap into the unknown—a daring experiment that came with its fair share of challenges. Truthfully, we weren’t sure it would work. Starting an employment platform is one of the toughest business ventures imaginable. The industry is dominated by established players with deep marketing budgets and extensive networks. But we decided to take the plunge anyway.
Kaplunk wasn’t built on certainty; it was built on possibility, a belief that the employment landscape could—and should—change. Over time, our LinkedIn journey has become a cornerstone of our growth story, proving that even small voices can be heard in a noisy industry.
Testing the Waters: The Early Days of Kaplunk
When Kaplunk began, it was like throwing a stone into a vast ocean. The employment world is crowded with giants who dominate every corner of the space, from mainstream employment boards to search engines like Bing and Yahoo. These players often post hundreds of ads weekly, leaving little room for newcomers like us. Yet, their aggressive activity signals something important—they’re taking notice.
The overwhelming presence of the “big boys” reinforced one thing: Kaplunk was doing something different. We’re not just another employment platform—we stand firmly against the traditional recruitment agency model. In fact, we don’t even like the word “recruitment.” It’s a system we believe is outdated, overly complex, and often exploitative. Kaplunk is an ethical employment board, created exclusively for use by company HR teams and job applicants. Recruitment agencies are prohibited on our platform, ensuring a fair and transparent hiring process for all.
LinkedIn: A Beacon of Hope and Connection
One of the biggest surprises on our journey has been LinkedIn. What started as a place to test ideas and connect with like-minded professionals has turned into a vibrant community of supporters. Today, over 100 industry leaders follow Kaplunk on our personal and company profiles. Their engagement, insights, and encouragement have fuelled our drive to push forward.
LinkedIn has become more than a platform for us—it’s a source of inspiration. Seeing top professionals take notice of Kaplunk validates our vision. It reminds us why we started in the first place: to disrupt a broken employment model and create something meaningful for both employers and job seekers.
Why Kaplunk Matters: Challenging the Status Quo
Kaplunk’s mission is straightforward: to provide a better alternative to traditional models and create an ethical employment platform. The benefits we offer are compelling:
Significant Cost Savings for Employers
Employment fees and commissions are a substantial burden for companies. With Kaplunk, businesses can bypass these costs entirely, offering a fixed-price solution for finding top talent.
Empowering Applicants
Our platform allows applicants to present themselves directly to employers without intermediaries. This creates a more personal and impactful connection.
Data Privacy
Unlike traditional systems, we don’t require applicants to share their personal data with third parties. Information is only shared directly with employers when necessary.
Exclusivity for HR Teams and Applicants
Kaplunk is the only UK platform exclusively for HR teams and applicants. Recruitment agencies are prohibited, ensuring a direct and transparent hiring process.
A Fresh Approach: The Purple Bricks of Employment
To explain Kaplunk in simple terms, we often compare it to Purple Bricks. Just as Purple Bricks revolutionised real estate by allowing homeowners to sell their properties without estate agents, Kaplunk empowers businesses to hire talent without paying fees to agencies.
But our value goes beyond cost savings. We’ve also introduced tools like a screening questionnaire to streamline the hiring process further. Kaplunk simplifies employment, making it more accessible and efficient for everyone involved.
Why the Industry Needs Kaplunk
Despite the rise of direct employer postings on mainstream boards, traditional agencies still dominate these platforms, accounting for over 60% of listings. These platforms often serve as data-collection tools for agencies, eventually leading to costly fees.
Kaplunk flips the script. We’re not here to serve agencies—we’re here to serve businesses and job seekers. By removing the middleman, we’re not just saving money; we’re creating a fairer, more transparent system.
What’s in a Name? The Game Behind Kaplunk
There’s a playful metaphor behind our name, one that speaks volumes about our mission. If you’ve ever played the game “Kaplunk,” you’ll remember the thrill of pulling sticks away to watch the marbles tumble. In our version, those marbles represent traditional agencies. By removing the barriers they create, it’s “Kaplunk time”—a moment of liberation for employers and applicants alike.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Success
While we’ve faced challenges, the support we’ve found—especially on LinkedIn—has kept us moving forward. Every follower, comment, and connection is a reminder that change is possible. We know the journey isn’t easy, but seeing industry leaders engage with our vision gives us the motivation to persevere.
Kaplunk’s future is unwritten, but one thing is certain: we’re here to stay. Whether it’s through continued growth on LinkedIn, innovative platform features, or simply staying true to our mission, we’ll keep pushing boundaries. After all, the employment industry needs a shake-up, and Kaplunk is ready to deliver.
To everyone who has supported us on this journey—thank you. Your belief in Kaplunk means the world. Together, we’re proving that even small voices can make a big impact. Here’s to a future where hiring is simpler, fairer, and better for all.
