Prepare for your Sourcer interview. Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.
This question can help the interviewer determine if you are comfortable making calls to people you don’t know. Cold-calling can be a challenging skill to master, but it’s important to show that you can do it when necessary. In your answer, explain how you would approach cold-calling and what steps you would take to make the process easier.
Answer Example: “Yes, I am comfortable cold-calling potential candidates to source them for a hiring manager. I have experience doing this in my previous role as a sourcer, and I found that it was most effective when I started by reaching out to people I knew who might know someone who would be a good fit for the position. From there, I would reach out to those individuals and ask them if they knew anyone else who might be interested in the job.”
This question can help the interviewer assess your cold calling skills and how you can improve them. Use examples from previous experience where you made cold calls more effective, such as using a script or having a specific goal in mind when making calls.
Answer Example: “I find that using a script helps me stay organized when making cold calls. I also try to call at different times of day so that I reach different people in the company. This helps me reach more people and increases my chances of connecting with someone who can help me fill open positions. Another strategy I use is to ask questions about the company and its goals when making calls. This helps me understand who I’m talking to and what they’re looking for in an employee.”
Sourcers often need to find candidates who aren’t actively looking for a new job. This question is your opportunity to show your ability to find candidates who may not be actively searching for a new role but could be interested in the one you’re recruiting for.
Answer Example: “I would start by looking at the company’s current employees, as well as those who have left in the last year. I would then search through social media platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook to find people who might be interested in the position. I would also reach out to professional networks like networking groups and associations to see if anyone knows someone who would be a good fit.”
This question can help the interviewer understand how you use your skills and experience to find candidates who are qualified for a position. Use examples from past experiences where you used your research skills, networking abilities or other talents to find qualified candidates for a job opening.
Answer Example: “I start by looking at the job description to get an idea of what the company is looking for in a candidate. Then I use databases like LinkedIn and Indeed to search for people who meet the basic qualifications listed in the ad. If the position requires specific skills or experience, I search for people who have those qualifications on their profiles. I also use social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to find people who may be a good fit for the position.”
This question can help the interviewer understand your skills as a sourcer and how you contribute to the company’s success. Use examples from previous roles that highlight your ability to find qualified candidates, develop relationships with them and convince them to join the company.
Answer Example: “In my last role as a sourcer, I was tasked with finding candidates for two open positions within the company. After researching different recruitment agencies, I decided to work with one agency in particular because of their track record of finding quality employees. I contacted the agency and explained our needs, then worked with them to create a list of qualified candidates. Out of the 10 candidates they provided, we hired three who are still with us today.”
This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach challenges and determine your next steps. Your answer should show that you are willing to take action and make changes when necessary.
Answer Example: “If I were unable to find any qualified candidates for a role, my next step would be to evaluate the job description and determine if there is anything I can do to make it more appealing to potential candidates. If not, I would then look into other ways to reach out to potential candidates who may not be actively looking for employment but may be interested in the position. This could include reaching out to former employees or reaching out through social media channels.”
This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle difficult situations and whether you have strategies for overcoming them. Use examples from past experiences to explain what you would do in this situation, along with any strategies that have helped you succeed in the past.
Answer Example: “If I reached out to a candidate who was hesitant to share information about their career or experience, I would first try to build rapport with them by being friendly and respectful. If they still seemed hesitant, I would ask them why they were hesitant and if there was anything I could do to make them more comfortable sharing information. If they still didn’t want to share, I would respect their decision and move on to other potential candidates.”
This question can help the interviewer determine your knowledge of the different types of recruiters and how they fit into a company’s hiring process. Use examples from past experiences where you worked with multiple types of recruiters or discussed the different types with your manager or other colleagues.
Answer Example: “In my last role, I worked with both internal and external sourcers. Internal sourcers are responsible for finding qualified candidates within the company, while external sourcers find candidates outside the company. I learned that both types of recruiters have different responsibilities and goals when it comes to finding candidates. Internal sourcers want to find the best fit for the position, while external sourcers want to find candidates who are willing to work at the company.”
Cold-calling can be a part of the sourcer’s job, and employers want to know that you’re comfortable with this type of communication. They also want to know how you handle anxiety in general, as this can be a common challenge for many professionals. When answering this question, try to show that you are willing to do what’s necessary for success and that you have strategies for managing uncomfortable situations.
Answer Example: “I understand that cold-calling can be uncomfortable for some people, but I don’t find it too difficult. I usually start by sending a friendly email or making a short phone call to introduce myself and explain why I’m reaching out. This helps me break the ice and makes the conversation feel more natural when we speak. If I still feel nervous, I remind myself that the person on the other end probably isn’t expecting my call and is probably happy to hear from someone new.”
This question can help the interviewer understand your process for deciding who to contact first when you’re sourcing candidates. Your answer should show that you have a system for organizing your work and prioritizing tasks.
Answer Example: “I start by looking at the job description and determining which skills and experience are most important for the role. Then, I create a list of potential candidates based on their LinkedIn profiles. I start by reaching out to people who have the most relevant experience, followed by those who have slightly less relevant experience but who may be interested in learning more about the opportunity.”
This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you can use them to benefit the company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some specific strategies you used in the past to help companies retain employees.
Answer Example: “I would start by looking at the types of candidates who leave the company most often and then find ways to attract more people like them. For example, if I noticed engineers were leaving the company at a higher rate than other professionals, I would start searching for more engineering positions on job boards. This strategy helped me find qualified engineers who were looking for new opportunities.”
This question can help the interviewer understand how you organize your work and manage your time. Your answer should include steps that show you have a system in place for tracking important information about the hiring process.
Answer Example: “I use a calendar to keep track of all my appointments with candidates, including interviews and final hiring decisions. I also have a spreadsheet where I record all the information about each candidate, including their contact information, resume and cover letter. This helps me stay organized and ensures that I don’t forget any details about a candidate.”
This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are qualified for this role. You can answer this question by highlighting your relevant experience and skills, such as your ability to work independently or communicate effectively with others.
Answer Example: “I am a good fit for this role as a sourcer because of my extensive experience in recruiting. I have been working as a sourcer for the past five years, during which time I have developed a deep understanding of how to find the best candidates for open positions. In fact, I have helped many companies find qualified employees who have gone on to be highly successful at their new jobs. My knowledge of recruitment processes and technologies has also helped me develop effective strategies for finding quality candidates.”
This question can help the interviewer understand your sourcing strategy and how you use different job boards. You can answer this question by listing the job boards you prefer to use, along with the reasons why.
Answer Example: “I find that LinkedIn is an excellent resource for finding qualified candidates because it allows me to search by specific skills and experience. I also like to use Indeed because it has a wide range of listings that can help me find people who are looking for new jobs. Finally, I like to browse through Reddit because there are often many discussions about careers and job searching there.”
This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you understand what’s important in your role and how you plan to accomplish those goals. Your answer should include two or three aspects of sourcer work that are most important to you, along with why they are important.
Answer Example: “I think the most important aspect of my role as a sourcer is finding candidates who are qualified for the position they’re applying for. I always make sure to thoroughly research each company I’m searching for candidates for so I can find people who are truly interested in the position and would be a good fit for the company. Another important part of my job is ensuring that all candidates have an equal opportunity to apply for the position.”
This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your work and manage time. Your answer should show that you have a plan for completing tasks on time, but it’s also important to be flexible when necessary.
Answer Example: “I understand that each search is different, but I typically update my candidate pool every two weeks. This allows me to stay organized and ensures that I am not wasting time on candidates who are no longer interested in the position or do not meet the requirements. However, if there is an urgent need for candidates, I am willing to work extra hours to find suitable applicants.”
This question is a great way to test your persuasive skills and ability to work with others. It also shows the interviewer that you are passionate about finding qualified candidates for their company and are willing to go above and beyond to do so. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the specific qualifications that make you excited about recruiting this person.
Answer Example: “I understand that my hiring manager may not be sold on this candidate yet, but I am confident that they would be an excellent fit for this position. I have worked with many professionals who have similar backgrounds and experiences, and I know that they would be able to contribute a lot to our company. I would encourage my hiring manager to interview the candidate so they can get to know them better and decide if they are right for the job.”
This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle challenging situations. Your answer should show that you are willing to take initiative and solve problems on your own, but it’s also important to show that you respect the hiring manager’s authority.
Answer Example: “When I encounter unresponsive or difficult-to-contact candidates, I first try to reach out to them via email or phone. If they still don’t respond after several attempts, I will contact my supervisor for advice on how to proceed. In some cases, it may be appropriate to remove them from consideration if they are not responding after several weeks.”
Employers ask this question to see how you would handle a challenging situation. They want to know that you can handle conflict and remain professional at all times. In your answer, explain what steps you took to resolve the issue. Show that you are willing to work with all types of people and personalities.
Answer Example: “I recently had a candidate who gave me negative feedback about their previous employer. They said they did not enjoy working there because the culture was too competitive. I tried to understand where they were coming from and explained that our company is not like that. I also told them about some of the other benefits we offer here. In the end, they decided to apply for our position.”
Employers want to know that you are aware of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. They also want to see that you have strategies for ensuring that all candidates have an equal opportunity to apply for their open positions. Use examples from past experiences where you helped create a more diverse candidate pool or recruited more diverse candidates for a position.
Answer Example: “I’ve found that one of the best ways to ensure a diverse candidate pool is to use targeted recruitment strategies. For example, when I was recruiting for a marketing position, I knew that the best candidates would likely come from an advertising background. So, I reached out to local universities with advertising programs and offered to speak at their career fairs about the position. This allowed me to reach a new audience of potential candidates and gave the university students an opportunity to network.”
