I don’t understand this. An experienced Talent Sourcer doesn’t pass 1st assignment, a sourcing task, during interviews.
Sometimes I feel like shaking with those candidates: “Where have you been in the last five years? How could you have survived in the job market?”
Can you imagine a dentist who doesn’t pass their first round? Can it even happen? ??
Anyway, here’s how you can stand out and GET HIRED as a professional, well-paid Talent Sourcer in 2025, at times when AI can create candidate short-lists for free in no-time:
1. Map the market before sourcing
Few sourcers think about how many suitable candidates there are on the market. I recall a talent sourcer who couldn’t guess how many Java devs are in Munich. That was a red flag ??
2. Prepare sourcing strategy
If you just open LinkedIn and start sourcing right away, it’s a red flag for me. ?? I want to see you can prepare your strategy like any other business professional would: a lawyer, surgeon, dentist. They don’t start cutting the meat before they have a clear plan of action outlined, right?
3. Geek about new tools
You need to be the one experimenting with new tools. What’s the latest and greatest out there? How can you get the most out of AI? YOU SHOULD KNOW. If you don’t, it’s a major red flag ?? Write a name of a new tool in the comments.
4. Apply analytical thinking
80% of success in sourcing comes from thorough analytical talent segmenting and identifying which cohort of prospects to start with. I conducted 100+ Live webinars on this topic and if you’re interested in replays, let me know in the comments.
Since 2017, I interviewed hundreds of sourcers and recruiters. Most of my best insights are captured in my online courses at the Tech Recruitment Academy, go check it out — there’s NO EXCUSE but laziness to fail your 1st assignment.