Sourcing

Fill hard-to-fill roles: rediscover, search and reach out

A sourcing routine for roles that do not get enough applicants: start with people you already know, search for new ones, reach out in a short sequence and send replies into a journey.

7 min read · Updated · For recruiters and owners hiring for roles with too few qualified applicants

The short version

Source in rings: your own database first, then a targeted search, then a search that keeps running. Every reply takes the same journey as your applicants.

Source in rings, closest first

The cheapest candidate is one you already know. Start close to home and widen the search only when you need to. Scout, the sourcing add-on, covers all three rings.

The three rings

  • Ring 1: past applicants and talent pools.
  • Ring 2: a targeted search for people who fit the role.
  • Ring 3: a standing search that keeps looking while you work.

Ring 1: Rediscover your own database

  1. 1

    Search people you already met

    Past applicants and talent pools are searched too, so good people you met before resurface.

    In Scout

Runners-up from last time already know your company and have journey results on file. Reach out to them first.

Ring 3: Keep a standing search

  1. 1

    Saved searches with digests

    Save a search and get a digest when new people match it.

    In Scout
  2. 2

    Daily sourcing per role

    Turn it on for an open role and fresh matches arrive every day.

    In Scout

Reach out in a short sequence

  1. 1

    Mix channels

    Email, SMS, phone calls and tasks in one sequence, on the timing you set.

    In Scout
  2. 2

    "Write it for me"

    Draft each step from the role and the person, then edit it before it goes out.

    In Scout
  3. 3

    Watch what works

    See how each sequence performs, with a timeline for every person in it.

    In Scout

Outreach that gets replies

  • Open with the role, the pay range and the location.
  • Keep texts short and personal.
  • Stop after three or four touches.
  • Make the next step one tap: a link to the journey.

Send replies into a journey

  1. 1

    One step into a journey

    Send an interested person into a journey from their Scout profile.

    In Scout
  2. 2

    One ranked queue

    Sourced people and applicants finish in the same ranked review queue, scored on the same criteria.

    In Applicant tracking

Questions, answered

Where does Scout find people?

Scout searches your own past applicants and talent pools, plus licensed data providers connected to your account.

Do sourced candidates skip the journey?

No. They take the same journey as applicants and are scored on the same criteria, so your review stays fair.

Is Scout included in every plan?

Scout is an add-on. Your account team can turn it on for your organization.

Put this playbook to work.

Bring one real role and we'll set it up with you in InsightHire.