by Olga Kravets, Talent Sourcer at InspHire
As the sun-kissed days of summer roll in, we find inspiration in more than just the balmy weather. Imagine the world of talent sourcing poured into a chilled glass. What would be the result? Sourcing Strategies on the Rocks!
From the slim notes of passive sourcing to the cockiness of active strategies, let’s uncover the “what,” “when,” and “why” behind each sip.
Grab your glass and let’s explore sourcing strategies that pack a punch – all on the ice of a sun-soaked summer.
Every company has its own lifecycle, and during different stages, it is crucial to choose the right sourcing strategies to align with the company’s needs, growth trajectory, and, undoubtedly, budgets. Just like in cocktails, it always needs to fit the mood.
Startups and Early Stage Companies
Mood: Small team of creative minds, focused on product development, mixing passion with limited funding.
Cocktail: Garage Mojito
Ingredients: Direct Sourcing, Networking & Events, Employee Referrals, and of course Rum
It is an unpopular opinion that small startups can’t/shouldn’t or don’t want to use direct sourcing to serve the company’s talent attraction strategy. Passive sourcing can be crucial at this stage; it can not only bring you unlocked skilled candidates but can also be a good marketing tool. Using personalized messages with unique descriptions will motivate passive candidates to make a move.
Networking, Events, and meetups are strong tools to make connections but also to share the technical insides with potential candidates. Just be sure to polish your pitch, and don’t forget to write contacts down.
At this stage, Employee Referrals are one of the cheapest and most trustworthy tactics, as the candidates see their friends being excited, and who doesn’t want to have a work bestie?
💡Airbnb’s early team leveraged their own networks to identify hosts who were also talented engineers, helping build their early engineering team.
Growth Phase Companies
Mood: Showing product-market fit and experiencing rapid growth, expanding team and entering new markets, focused on scaling operations while staying agile.
Cocktail: Get Rich or Die Trying Margarita
Ingredients: Active Sourcing, Recruitment Agencies, Networking and Events, Talent Pools, Employee Referrals, Data Analytics
Regularly post job openings on industry-specific job boards. Partner with recruitment agencies to quickly fill specialized roles. Create a database of candidates who expressed interest in future roles. Implement an employee referral program and promote it internally.
💡HubSpot used targeted content marketing and online engagement to attract talent aligned with their inbound marketing philosophy, aiding their growth.
Established Companies
Mood: Established market presence and stable growth. Diverse range of products and services, with well-defined roles and hierarchies.
Cocktail: Old Fashioned is On My To-Do list
Ingredients: Direct Sourcing, Employer Branding, Data Analytics, Internal Mobility, University Partnerships, Employee Referrals
At this stage companies usually have an established Employer brand, which can help with EVP. Showcase company culture through blog posts and social media.
In-house sourcing: Promote internal job postings to encourage employees to explore new opportunities. Forge partnerships with universities for internships and co-op programs. This is the best time to arrange Pizza sourcing parties at the office, and you’ll be fine.
💡Google at this stage was known for its “Googlegeist” survey that gathers employee feedback, enhancing its employer brand and attracting top talent.
Mature and Large Enterprises
Mood: Industry leader with extensive market presence and global operations, plus diverse business units while focusing on innovation and maintaining competitiveness
Cocktail: Legacy Bloody Mary
Ingredients: Diversity and Inclusion Sourcing, Data Analytics, Networking and Events, Boomerang Hires, Freelance and Contract Platforms
At this stage, it is important to attend diversity-focused job fairs and collaborate with organizations promoting inclusivity. Use freelancing platforms to hire specialized skills for short-term projects if needed. Host industry events to showcase thought leadership and attract talent. Analyze recruitment data to refine sourcing strategies.
💡Be inspired by Microsoft’s “Autism Hiring Program” which focuses on hiring candidates with autism, leading to increased innovation and a more inclusive work culture.
There are a lot more ingredients that you can stir and mix into your sourcing strategy. It is crucial to follow common principles of resource optimization, speed, and scalability, succession planning, candidate perception, market trends, retention, and engagement, and define the best fit.
What is your sourcing cocktail right now?
InspHire is a 360° HR company taking a unique approach of specializing in building and improving HR processes and recruiting for global internet companies. Our approach and industry experience equipped us with deep knowledge and understanding in the world you work in. We cover every aspect of HR services that your company needs, from direct hire placements to trainings, employer branding, and welfare programs.
