Active Sourcing is one of the most effective ways to increase hiring rates and reduce time-to-fill. Unlike the passive recruiting approach of posting job openings and waiting for potential candidates, Active Sourcing takes a proactive approach. In this approach, suitable candidates are approached directly and recruited for an open position. The following article explains why this method is so valuable for companies and what benefits it offers.

Active sourcing: How companies can benefit from targeted approaches

How does Active Sourcing work?

Active sourcing goes beyond traditional recruiting and focuses on a targeted approach to candidates. The focus here is on actively searching for suitable candidates and making direct contact with them. To this end, companies use various channels to identify and address potential candidates. These include, for example, social networks such as LinkedIn or Xing, career fairs, and personal contacts.

What are the benefits of active sourcing?

  1. Increasing the hiring rate

One of the biggest challenges in recruiting is finding suitable candidates and attracting them to a position. Passive recruiting approaches often fail to generate enough potential candidates. Active sourcing, on the other hand, expands the circle of potential candidates and enables a more targeted approach. This increases the probability of finding qualified applicants and hiring them successfully.

One example of this is the company SAP. The company has been using active sourcing for years and has significantly increased its hiring rate as a result. According to a study by the market research company IDC, the company has a 75 percent higher hiring rate than the industry average as a result of this method.

  1. Reduction of time-to-fill

Time-to-fill, the time it takes to fill a vacancy, can be a critical factor in the recruiting process. The longer the search for suitable candidates takes, the higher the costs and effort for the company. Active sourcing can help to reduce the time-to-fill. The process can be accelerated through a more targeted approach and faster contact with potential candidates.

One example of this is the company IBM. IBM has intensified its active sourcing activities in recent years, reducing time-to-fill by up to 40 percent. Filling open positions faster has significantly reduced costs and effort in the recruiting process.

  1. Better quality of candidates

Active sourcing enables a more targeted approach to potential candidates. This allows companies to ensure that they only approach applicants who have the necessary skills and experience for the open position. In contrast, passive recruiting approaches can often result in a large number of applications that do not meet the requirements. By targeting applicants, companies can ensure that they find applicants who are not only professionally suitable, but also fit in with the corporate culture.

One example of this is the Siemens company. The company has been using active sourcing for years and has been able to significantly improve the quality of its candidates as a result. According to a study by the market research company Aberdeen Group, Siemens has a 38 percent higher quality of applicants through this method than the industry average.

Active sourcing is an effective way to increase hiring rates, reduce time-to-fill and improve candidate quality. It allows companies to optimize their recruiting processes and successfully attract new employees. To benefit from this method, companies should specifically search for potential candidates and approach them directly. In doing so, they should pay attention to a personal approach and a good candidate experience in order to arouse the candidates' interest and win them over for the company.