Sourcing methods in recruitment! Recruitment isn’t just about filling roles — it’s about finding the right people for the job. And that all starts with sourcing.
But here’s the thing… sourcing is a skill.
If you’re still relying on job ads and hoping great candidates will come to you, you’re likely missing out on a massive talent pool. The best candidates? They’re not always actively looking — which means it’s on you to go out and find them.
Maybe not the most relevant picture for this blog; however, in this blog, we’ll break down the best sourcing methods in recruitment and how you can use them to consistently find quality candidates.
Here’s what I am covering:
- Recruitment Sourcing 101: What It Is & Why It Matters
- Active vs. Passive Candidates
- 7 Powerful Sourcing Strategies Every Recruiter Should Know
- Top Tools to Supercharge Your Sourcing Efforts
- How to improve your sourcing strategy
- Common Sourcing Mistakes to Avoid
What is Sourcing in Recruitment?
Sourcing is all about taking a proactive approach to hiring. Instead of sitting back and waiting for candidates to apply, recruiters go out and find the right talent themselves. It’s about identifying, engaging, and building relationships with potential hires — sometimes before they’re even thinking about a job change.
Think of it like fishing…
You could sit on the shore and hope the fish come to you (posting job ads). Or, you could take a boat out, cast your net, and go after the best catch (that’s sourcing!).
Why Sourcing Matters:
It’s important to understand why sourcing methods in recruitment matter. Here are a few reasons:
- Faster Hiring — Engaging candidates early helps you avoid last-minute hiring scrambles.
- Better Talent Access — You’re reaching skilled professionals, not just those actively job hunting.
- Stronger Talent Pipelines — You stay connected with great candidates for future roles.
Active vs. Passive Candidates
Before we dive into sourcing strategies, let’s break down the two main types of candidates:
- Active Candidates — These folks are actively searching for a new job. They’re applying, networking, and browsing job boards.
- Passive Candidates — They’re not job hunting, but the right opportunity could pique their interest.
A great sourcing strategy targets both groups — especially passive candidates, since they make up around 70% of the workforce!
7 Powerful Sourcing Strategies Every Recruiter Should Know
1. Job Boards & CV Databases
- Sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and CV Library are goldmines for finding active candidates.
- Many job boards also allow recruiters to search through a database of pre-uploaded CVs.
- Pro tip: Use Boolean search techniques to refine your searches and find the best matches.
2. Social Media Recruiting
- LinkedIn is the obvious one here, but don’t ignore Facebook, Twitter, and even TikTok (yes, really!).
- Facebook groups and Reddit forums are great places to source niche talent.
- Engaging with potential candidates through content, comments, and direct messages can make all the difference.
3. Employee Referrals
- Your best hires often come from your existing employees.
- Offer referral bonuses to incentivise your team to recommend top talent.
- Referred candidates tend to stay longer and perform better!
4. Direct Outreach (Headhunting)
- Sometimes, the best candidates aren’t looking, so you need to reach out.
- LinkedIn InMails, emails, or even phone calls can be highly effective.
- Just make sure your outreach is personalised — a generic “Hey, I have a job for you” message won’t cut it.
5. Networking & Events
- Attending industry events, meetups, and career fairs helps you connect with top professionals.
- Speaking at events or hosting workshops can also position you as a go-to recruiter in your niche.
6. Talent Pooling & Internal Databases
- Keep a database of strong candidates you’ve sourced in the past — even if they weren’t a fit at the time.
- When a new role opens, you’ve already got a warm talent pool to dip into.
7. AI & Automation Tools
- Recruitment tech is getting smarter, and AI tools like Chatbots, ATS systems, and resume screeners can help you find candidates faster.
- Tools like Hiretual, AmazingHiring, and LinkedIn Recruiter can automate part of the sourcing process, saving you tons of time.
Top Tools to Supercharge Your Sourcing Effort
Here are some game-changing tools you should consider using:
- LinkedIn Recruiter — Best for headhunting passive candidates
- MarketMapr— Gain a competitive advantage with talent analytics & market mapping
- Giig Hire (bias) — Great intuitive CRM/ATS for small agencies and solo recruiters
- Entelo — Predictive analytics for finding top talent
- AngelList — A hidden gem for finding startup and tech candidates
- X-ray Search — A Boolean search trick to find hidden profiles
How to Improve Your Sourcing Strategy
Even with all these methods, sourcing isn’t just about volume — it’s about quality. Here are a few ways to level up your approach:
- Write Better Outreach Messages — Ditch the generic templates. A personalised message has a 3x higher response rate.
- Use Boolean Search Effectively — Mastering Boolean strings can help you uncover hidden candidates.
- Follow Up! — Just because someone didn’t reply the first time doesn’t mean they’re not interested. A polite follow-up can work wonders.
- Build Long-Term Relationships — Even if someone isn’t looking now, they might be later. Stay connected!
Common Sourcing Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced recruiters can fall into common sourcing traps. Avoid these mistakes to improve your hiring success:
- Relying Too Much on Job Boards — While job boards are useful, they only capture active candidates. Expand your reach with direct outreach and networking.
- Sending Generic Outreach Messages — Candidates can spot a copy-paste message a mile away. Personalise your approach to increase response rates.
- Ignoring Branding — If your company has a weak online presence or poor reviews, candidates might ignore your outreach. Build a strong employer brand to attract top talent.
- Not Following Up — Many recruiters send one message and give up. A well-timed follow-up can be the difference between a missed opportunity and a great hire.
Final Thoughts
Sourcing is one of the most powerful skills in recruitment, and if you do it right, you’ll never struggle to find top talent.
It’s not just about filling roles — it’s about building relationships and creating a pipeline of incredible candidates.
So, whether you’re using social media, referrals, direct outreach, or AI tools, the key is to be proactive. Go out there and find the best people — before your competitors do!
Need help optimising your sourcing strategy?
