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What is sourcing in recruitment? In the world of HR and recruiting, you’ll hear this term a lot. But what is it exactly? Let’s break it down to understand this crucial aspect of the hiring process. 

What is Sourcing in Recruitment? 

Sourcing in recruitment is the process of finding and identifying potential candidates for job openings within a company. It’s like a talent hunt where employers seek out qualified candidates to build a talent pipeline. Sourcing helps ensure that the hiring process is efficient, and the employer can find the ideal candidates for their open positions. 

Why is Sourcing in Recruitment Important? 

When you have open positions, you can’t just sit back and wait for applicants to come to you. Sourcing in recruitment allows you to take a proactive approach. It helps you locate both active job seekers and passive candidates who might not be actively looking for a new job but are open to new opportunities. 

Additionally, sourcing frees up time for recruiters to focus on building relationships! Recruiters can spend hours and hours every week simply finding candidates. That leaves precious little time for actually talking to candidates so that they’ll stay engaged through the process and ultimately accept an offer.

That’s why our sourcing services focus on providing a pipeline of candidates with confirmed qualifications and interest in your open roles.

What is Sourcing in Recruitment and How Does it Work? 

Sourcing in recruitment involves several strategies and methods. Here are some common ways employers find the right candidates in addition to job boards:

Job Boards

Job boards are online platforms where employers can post job listings, and job seekers can search for open positions. They are an essential tool in the sourcing process, as they attract active job seekers.

Social Networking

Beyond social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook, building strong professional networks is key to sourcing success. Whether it’s joining professional associations, attending meetups, or going to conferences, sourcers should always be looking for new ways to meet people and build relationships in their field.

Employee Referrals

Current employees can be your best sourcing agents. Encourage your staff to refer qualified candidates for open positions. Employee referrals often result in successful hires because your team knows your company culture and can recommend candidates who are a good fit.

Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

An ATS is software that helps manage the recruitment process. It allows employers to track and organize candidate applications, making it easier to identify potential candidates quickly.

What is Sourcing in Recruitment’s Role in the Hiring Process? 

Sourcing in recruitment plays a crucial role in the initial stages of hiring. It’s the phase where employers cast a wide net to identify potential candidates. Once candidates are identified, the next steps in the recruitment process, such as pre-screening and interviews, can take place. 

Identifying Potential Candidates  

The primary goal of sourcing is to identify potential candidates who meet the qualifications for open positions. This initial step helps employers narrow down their options and focus their efforts on the most promising candidates.

Building a Talent Pipeline  

Sourcing doesn’t always result in immediate hires. Sometimes, candidates identified through sourcing might not be the right fit for the current openings but could be ideal for future positions. Building a talent pipeline ensures that you have a pool of qualified candidates to tap into when needed. 

Qualifying Potential Candidates 

It’s not just about finding the right candidates, a great sourcer also has to qualify candidates based on their skills, experience, and more. Sourcing is about making sure a candidate is worth the recruiter’s time for more in-depth interviews. 

Sourcing Strategies for Success 

To be effective at sourcing in recruitment, you need to have a well-defined strategy. Here are some tips for success:  

  1. Define Your Ideal Candidates: Before you start sourcing, clearly define the qualities and qualifications you’re looking for in candidates.

  2. Use Multiple Channels: Don’t rely on just one method of sourcing. Use job boards, social networking, employee referrals, and other channels to reach a diverse pool of candidates.

  3. Leverage Your Employer Brand: Your company’s reputation matters. A strong employer brand can attract top talent even before you actively source for candidates.

  4. Build Relationships: In today’s day and age, the best candidates can pick and choose where they work. The most in-demand candidates get hundreds of messages a day – but if you’re able to build and maintain a strong relationship, your candidates will always pick up the phone.

  5. Involve Hiring Managers: Collaboration with hiring managers is essential in sourcing. You can’t make a great hire unless you know exactly what the hiring manager is looking for. Additionally, their feedback is key for adjusting your approach and zeroing in on the candidates they truly want to hire.

What Most Companies MISS When It Comes To Sourcing in Recruitment! 

One of the biggest problems in recruiting is that companies base hiring decisions off resumes and interviews. These are a great place to start, but there’s a reason why low engagement and turnover are such big problems in the workplace today. 

We don’t take the time to make sure we’re hiring the right person for the right role for the right reasons. Even worse, we use the wrong information to pick our hires! 

It’s time we started leveraging science and data to pick people that will truly mesh with the role, team, culture, and more. Tools like the Predictive Index and Perception Predict are scientifically validated to improve quality of hire. It’s like a superpower for screening quality candidates. 

Recruiting Success Starts with Sourcing 

In conclusion, sourcing in recruitment is a vital component of the talent acquisition process. It’s the proactive effort to find the right candidates for open positions, ensuring a steady stream of qualified individuals who can contribute to your company’s success.