Getting started in sourcing... where exactly is the starting line?

[Arron Z. Daniels]

From this humble beginner sourcer's opinion,  "Sourcing" is a whole universe that can monopolize your time without peer guidance.  If you are fortunate to have outstanding co-workers to guide you in the right direction (thank goodness for my team) you are ahead of the learning curve.  If you are not as fortunate to have multiple sources of knowledge and experience, it can be a bit overwhelming.  That being said, I pose this question to the community:

 

If you were sitting in front of a new sourcer, where would you have them start?

 

My Answer:

1. Start from the basics.  A simple google/bing search can get you in front of many helpful websites, communities, and information.  

 

2. Practice, practice, practice those boolean strings. "Perfect practice makes perfect."  

 

3. Understand that you are "consciously incompetent" and strive keep learning, researching and networking.

 

4. Network.  Use your social media to your advantage as a personal growth tool to keep you on point with where the industry is going, best practices, and your specific niche of the recruiting/staffing community.

 

To all those veteran sourcers out there, feel free to critique my answer and let me know what you think!

 

 

 

 

 

[Megan Calimbas]

I think you've got it down Arron- You're certainly doing a great where you're at! :)

[Megan Calimbas]

In thinking about it, the only other thing I would add is Research. The better your research is of the position, the better your strings and results will be.

[Arron Z. Daniels]

Indeed!  That is definitely "something that can make or break a search!"  Does that sound familiar?  It should since you gave me that advice!  I didn't forget it!

Megan Moore said:

In thinking about it, the only other thing I would add is Research. The better your research is of the position, the better your strings and results will be.

[Sarang Brahme]

Good points Arron,

 

First thing I would tell to my new sourcer is - "Sourcing is not a secondary OR Assistant kind of a job. It is a very specialized function." I'll try to get him into a Sourcing mind set which requires lot of research, patience, creativity and scientific approach. Try to get him away from post and pray approach OR being an inbox recruiter.

 

Secondly - I'll get his boolean basics strong. If you get this one right, rest everything follows very smoothly.

 

Thirdly - get him to think on various passive searching techniques, tools etc. Most importantly make him / her understand why it is important. Also introduce them to social media.

 

Lastly, as you rightly pointed out - practice, practice and practice!! This will help them to innovate and make better usage of all above mentioned tools.

[Arron Z. Daniels]

Thank you for the input Sarang! Great thought on passive searching strings.  I personally want to become more engaged with these.

Sarang Brahme said:

Good points Arron,

 

First thing I would tell to my new sourcer is - "Sourcing is not a secondary OR Assistant kind of a job. It is a very specialized function." I'll try to get him into a Sourcing mind set which requires lot of research, patience, creativity and scientific approach. Try to get him away from post and pray approach OR being an inbox recruiter.

 

Secondly - I'll get his boolean basics strong. If you get this one right, rest everything follows very smoothly.

 

Thirdly - get him to think on various passive searching techniques, tools etc. Most importantly make him / her understand why it is important. Also introduce them to social media.

 

Lastly, as you rightly pointed out - practice, practice and practice!! This will help them to innovate and make better usage of all above mentioned tools.

[Manick Paul]

Hi Arron,

 

As Sarang said sourcer job is not a startup job as it require innovative thinking & extensive hands on multiple tools & techniques in a same time. I like to suggest a few points like..

 

1. According to the domain of recruitment he/she should start with the basic concepts of the particular domain. As if its an IT Sourcer position, its mandatory that the sourcer/recruiter must have a technical knowledge of the tools & technologiesn into IT.

 

2. Share market knowledge of that particular domain.

 

3. Make him/her aware of multiple ways of sourcing & make a list a few innovative ways.

a. Hands on multiple job boards

b. Hands on multiple web engines

c. Commands on ATS or Database search

d. Socialize over the web into several web communities etc.

e. Above all extensive practice, reserach, trial & correction technique

        Here it goes like this, now before start with these steps one by one he/she must understand the core concept, like when its come to sourcing over job boards first things the person should understand how the engine works & what are the features & syntexes maximum effective.

        In similar way when you start with Web Engines first of all before start with the searching, the person should start with a basic study of the engine about the syntaxes & logics how the engine operates, as every engine acts in own featues.

 

Regards

Manick

[Gaurang Patadia]

Hello,

 

Its really useful tips. I am new to sourcing and learning slowly and I pesonally have found this group very useful.

Thank you

Gaurang

[Arron Z. Daniels]

Great!  I am a relatively new sourcer as well.  I have learned a TON of information and good practices.  Tune in to the Boolean String chat as well.  Irina usually sends a reminder email.  Good luck and keep learning!  Feel free to connect!  

 

http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?trk=hb_tab_pro_top

@Arron_Daniels 

Gaurang Patadia said:

Hello,

 

Its really useful tips. I am new to sourcing and learning slowly and I pesonally have found this group very useful.

Thank you

Gaurang

[Dave Galley]

Psst -- http://www.linkedin.com/in/arrondaniels :)

 

[Arron Z. Daniels]

Ha!  Thanks Dave!  What was I thinking???  Thank you very much!