May 14, 2024

What is Sourcing in recruitment?

John Kim

Co-founder @ Paraform

In this blog

Sourcing vs RecruitingThe benefits of a strong sourcing strategyBecoming a Sourcing Pro

Within recruitment, there are many nuanced differences between recruiters' job roles and responsibilities.

Here we’ll take a closer look at Sourcing:

Sourcing is the foundation of any successful recruitment strategy. It's the proactive process of finding, engaging, and attracting qualified candidates for open positions, even if they aren't actively searching for a new job.

Here's what sourcers do:

• Targeting: Instead of waiting for resumes to hit your inbox, sourcers actively seek out individuals with the specific skills and experience your company needs.
• Building relationships: Sourcing is about more than just filling a vacancy. It's about nurturing relationships with potential candidates, and creating a talent pipeline for future needs.
• Thinking outside the box: Sourcers utilize various channels like professional networking sites, online communities, and industry events to reach top talent, not just job boards.

Sourcing vs Recruiting

Finding the right talent is a two-step process: sourcing and recruiting. While often used interchangeably, they each play distinct but crucial roles.

• Sourcing is the proactive foundation, identifying and attracting top talent, even if they aren't actively looking. Sourcers target the right candidates, build relationships, and utilize various channels beyond job boards.
• Recruiting takes over once a specific opening exists. Recruiters evaluate the talent pool built by sourcers, screen applicants, conduct interviews, and ultimately select the best fit for the position.

Think of it this way: Sourcing creates a rich talent pool, while recruiting selects the perfect match from that pool. Both functions work together to ensure a successful talent acquisition strategy.

The benefits of a strong sourcing strategy

A well-defined sourcing strategy offers a multitude of benefits for businesses:

• Reduced Time-to-Hire: By proactively engaging with potential candidates, companies can fill positions faster and avoid costly delays.
• Improved candidate quality: With a wider pool of talent to choose from, companies can attract higher-caliber candidates who might not be actively searching for new opportunities.
• Enhanced Employer Branding: Building relationships with potential candidates strengthens your employer brand, making your company a more attractive place to work.
• Reduced Cost-per-Hire: By focusing on targeted outreach, sourcing can be a more cost-effective way to attract talent compared to traditional advertising methods.

Becoming a Sourcing Pro

Ready to embrace the power of sourcing? Here are some tips to get you started:

• Master the Art of Boolean Search: Learn how to use advanced search techniques to find the best candidates on online platforms.
• Embrace LinkedIn: Leverage professional networking sites like LinkedIn and industry-specific online communities to connect with potential candidates.
• Build Relationships with Passive Candidates: Engage with passive candidates by providing valuable content and establishing yourself as a thought leader in your industry.
• Invest in Sourcing Tools: Consider using sourcing automation tools to streamline your search process and manage your talent pipeline efficiently.

By proactively seeking out top talent, you can build a strong talent pool, reduce hiring times, and ultimately find the perfect fit for your company.