Resume Sourcing Made Easy: 4 Expert Tips for Success

Are you having trouble finding the right resumes for those tough-to-fill positions? Sometimes, posting a job and waiting for resumes to roll in isn’t enough, especially when you’re dealing with specialized roles. That’s where the power of effective sourcing comes into play.

Sourcing is the art of finding and engaging qualified talent who possess the precise skills, qualifications, and experience necessary for your open role. Luckily, there are an array of tools at your disposal to help you in identifying potential candidates.

If you’re ready to up your game and learn how to get the best resumes, check out these valuable tips on sourcing candidates the right way.

Harness the Power of Social Media

When it comes to expanding your recruiting efforts and sourcing candidates, social media is a game-changer. Take platforms like LinkedIn, for example. They offer recruiters a world of possibilities by reaching out to both active and passive job seekers.

Active candidates are actively searching for job opportunities. They’re on the lookout for new postings and are more likely to respond to your outreach efforts.
Passive candidates are already employed or not actively seeking new roles. Still, that doesn’t mean they’re closed off to new opportunities. If the right one comes along, they could be swayed to make a move.

By leveraging social media, you not only tap into a wider pool of potential candidates but also have the chance to attract top talent right to your doorstep. How? Social media platforms enable organizations to showcase their company culture, values, and employer brand to a broad audience.

So, when recruiters actively participate in discussions, share relevant content, and engage with potential candidates on a daily basis, they enhance their organization’s reputation and become a magnet for top talent.

“The best hiring managers are active on LinkedIn, because they’re taking it upon themselves to be a brand ambassador in addition to their hiring responsibilities. Not only are they sharing about the company in a way that’s authentic and valuable, but they’re establishing credibility for themselves as a knowledgeable hiring partner.” – Charlotte Pinckney, Social Media Manager, Insight Global

Ask for Referrals

If you’re a hiring manager or recruiter, you understand the importance of establishing a strong talent pipeline to access qualified candidates at a moment’s notice. However, having decades of experience in the industry, we’ve observed that hiring experts sometimes overlook a readily available network right within their reach: employee referrals!

When sourcing candidates, employee referrals are valuable for a few reasons:

Semi-vetted candidates—When an employee refers someone for a position, it demonstrates their belief in the person’s suitability for the role. While it’s still necessary to adhere to all your standard screening protocols, having an employee endorse a person provides an additional level of assurance. It’s like receiving a small confidence boost, knowing that someone on your team has faith in their capabilities.
Enhanced team dynamics—Your employees probably won’t recommend people they think are difficult to work with or can’t collaborate effectively. They’re more likely to suggest someone they know is qualified and clicks with them on a professional level.
Faster time-to-hire—Employee referrals can significantly reduce the time-to-hire for a role. According to Zippia’s research, hiring managers can save an average of 31 percent of time by using referrals instead of candidates sourced from job boards or career sites. This means that if you need to fill a position quickly, employee referrals may be the way to go.

Plus, candidates sourced through referrals have higher retention rates, too! If you want qualified candidates hired fast, and sticking around for the long run, ask your team for referrals or get started on building a solid employee referral program. It’s a win-win situation.

Embrace DEI Initiatives

Embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in your strategy for sourcing candidates is a sure way to expand your talent pool and promote a positive, inclusive employer brand. The importance of DEI to job seekers is increasingly evident, with nearly 80 percent of respondents in one survey stating that diversity was a crucial factor in their job offer decision-making process.

Here’s a few ways to source with DEI in mind:

Craft job descriptions that avoid biased words, using inclusive language
Adopt a skills-based hiring approach, taking a holistic view of a candidate’s skills and background—not just whether they have a formal college degree.
Look beyond traditional job boards and engage professional organizations, diversity-focused community groups, career fairs, and conferences.

Also, research suggests that diverse teams bring remarkable benefits to the table. They tend to be more productive, make better decisions, and unleash higher rates of innovation. By embracing DEI in your sourcing strategy, you’re not only expanding your talent pool but also setting the stage for a more successful and dynamic work environment.

Partner With an Experienced Staffing Agency

Lastly, if you want to enjoy all the benefits mentioned earlier in this article while allowing dedicated hiring experts to take the lead, consider partnering with an experienced staffing agency like Insight Global.

Here’s how you’ll benefit:

Access to a vast network—Gain access to our extensive network of tens of thousands of pre-vetted, skilled candidates.
Customized candidate matching—Our team specializes in tailoring our candidate matches to your specific requirements. We take the time to understand your organization’s unique needs, ensuring that the candidates we present align with your expectations.
Comprehensive support—We go beyond the initial candidate search. We handle the entire process, including interviews, onboarding, and even payroll. With our end-to-end support, you can focus on your core business while we take care of hiring.

Sourcing Candidates Doesn’t Have to Be Hard

When it comes to finding your perfect hires, a strong sourcing strategy is your greatest ally. Luckily, there are so many powerful tools out there to help you source candidates for any position you need to fill. But leveraging our vast pipeline of vetted professionals and skilled recruiters can be faster, easier, and more efficient. No matter what position you need to fill, we can help.

Need to Hire?

Let us know what your organization needs, and we can line up interviews with quality talent in as little as one week. Questions? Call us toll-free: 855-485-8853