Passive Candidate
A passive candidate is a person who is not actively looking for a new job but is open to professional opportunities if approached. These candidates are already employed and not actively browsing job boards or submitting applications.
How to identify passive candidates?
Unlike active candidates who apply for job offers, passive candidates usually do not reach out to recruiters on their own. However, they can be identified and approached through:
- Professional social media such as LinkedIn;
- The employer’s internal employee database;
- Employee referrals;
- Networking events.
To effectively reach these candidates, recruiters must adopt a direct and personalized approach. It is essential to highlight the benefits of the position, such as professional challenges, work environment, or career development.
To recap:
| Passive Candidate | Active Candidate |
|---|---|
| Not actively seeking a new job | Actively searching for job opportunities |
| Often contacted by recruiters | Contacts companies directly |
| Already employed | May be unemployed or looking for a change |
| Must be convinced to consider a new opportunity | Already interested in job offers |
| Recruitment process may take longer | Usually more responsive |
Why target passive candidates?
The goal of a recruitment strategy targeting passive candidates is to attract the best talents even if they are not actively job hunting. This approach is particularly relevant when filling key or strategic positions within the company.
It is estimated that 70% of professionals worldwide are passive candidates. They thus represent an important pool of qualified talents, often already experienced and trained, which can accelerate the hiring and onboarding process.