Sourcing

Sourcing is the proactive recruitment strategy of seeking out, identifying and contacting qualified talent who have not previously applied for a job (passive candidates).

How It Works

Unlike more traditional recruitment methods, which involve analyzing and selecting applications received in response to a job advertisement, sourcing takes a proactive approach by anticipating hiring needs. The aim is to identify and contact “passive” candidates who would bring added value to the organization in the short, medium or long term.

Sourcing is particularly strategic for industries facing labor shortages, or for positions where the labor market is highly competitive.

Types of sourcing

There are several sourcing methods, the most widespread being :

• Headhunting, which involves a regular search on various recruitment platforms and social media according to more or less established criteria;
• Event-based sourcing, fueled by participation in recruitment events during which exceptional talent can be spotted and contacted;
• Sourcing via recruitment tools such as ATS, which enables keyword filtering on social media such as LinkedIn, or searching among a pool of past applications;
• Co-optation sourcing, which consists of a recommendation by a trusted employee of a profile that would bring added value to the company;
• Internal sourcing, which is akin to internal mobility, making it possible to identify and fill needs and positions by leveraging existing skills within the company.

Pros and Cons of Sourcing

As with any recruitment strategy, there are advantages and disadvantages to be aware of, so you can weigh up the pros and cons according to your organizational reality:

Pros

• Proactive rather than reactive approach;
• Reduced risk of missing out on top talent;
• Better visibility and management of workforce needs;
• Good way of dealing with competitiveness in the labor market;
• More time to negotiate salary and total compensation packages;
• Hiring unsuspected talent with real added value for the company.

Cons

• Less chance of eventually hiring the right fit;
• Higher recruitment costs which can negatively impact some organizations;
• Important strategic and budgetary forecasting work;
• ROI plays a huge part in sourcing in order to avoid wasting too many resources.