Prepare for your Technical Sourcer interview. Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.
Machine learning is a type of artificial intelligence that allows computers to learn without being programmed. It’s a growing field, and many companies are looking for people who have experience with it. If you have experience with machine learning, share how you’ve used it in your past roles. If you don’t, explain that you’re interested in learning more about it.
Answer Example: "I’ve been interested in machine learning for awhile now, so I’ve been taking online courses to learn more about the subject. I recently finished a course on Udemy where I learned how to create a neural network from scratch. I think this skill would be valuable in my new role as a technical sourcer because I could use it to find candidates who best fit the company’s needs."
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to find candidates who are qualified for their open positions. Use your answer to highlight any specific technical skills you have, as well as how you use them in your sourcering work.
Answer Example: "I look for candidates who have experience with Java, JavaScript and HTML coding. These are three of the most important technical skills I look for in a candidate because they show that they have an understanding of basic programming languages. I also look for candidates who have experience with CSS and SQL coding because they show an understanding of how to use these languages to create webpages and databases."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach a challenge and whether you have any strategies for overcoming it. Your answer should show that you are willing to take initiative, are willing to research and learn new things and are willing to go above and beyond to find the right candidate for a role.
Answer Example: "I would start by looking at the skills listed in the job description and researching whether there are any training programs or resources available that could help candidates learn those skills. If not, I would look into whether there are any online courses or resources that could help candidates develop those skills. If all else fails, I would reach out to my network to see if anyone knows someone who might be able to fill the role."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you use your skills and experience to identify whether a candidate has the right technical skills for the job. Your answer should include an example of how you conducted this process in the past, as well as what factors influenced your decision.
Answer Example: "I start by reviewing the job description and ensuring that the candidate’s resume matches up with the requirements. Then, I conduct an initial phone interview where I ask questions about the candidate’s experience with similar projects or tasks. This helps me get an idea of their level of knowledge and how they approach work. After the initial interview, I may ask them to complete a coding challenge or solve a problem using code."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you use your communication skills and influence to help others. Use examples from previous roles where you helped a candidate get hired, or describe a time when you advocated for a colleague’s hiring.
Answer Example: "I recently helped a candidate get hired at my current role. The hiring manager was looking for someone with experience in coding in Python, and this candidate had only worked with Java. However, I knew that this candidate had an interest in learning new languages and had the motivation to do so. I spoke with the hiring manager and explained why I thought this candidate would be a good fit for the position. After some consideration, they decided to give the candidate an interview."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you would handle a situation in which a candidate was lacking a necessary skill for a role. Your answer should show that you are willing to help someone develop their skills or learn new ones, if necessary.
Answer Example: "I would first assess whether or not the candidate had the potential to learn the skill. If I felt they did, I would discuss with them the importance of acquiring this skill and how they could go about doing so. If they were interested in learning more about the skill, I would offer to provide them with resources or even mentor them myself."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you make decisions and what your values are. It’s important to be honest about your answer, but also show that you value the candidate’s skills and abilities.
Answer Example: "If I found a candidate who met all of the requirements for a role but I knew they would struggle with the day-to-day responsibilities of the job, I would first try to find ways to make the job easier for them. For example, if they were unable to travel often for meetings, I would look for ways to teleconference or use video conferencing so they could participate remotely."
Employers ask this question to make sure you’re a good fit for their company. They want to know that you understand their values and how they apply to the role you’re applying for. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few of the company’s values and how they relate to your own.
Answer Example: "I am familiar with the company culture at XYZ Company and understand that it is based on a set of values. I believe that collaboration, innovation, and excellence are all important aspects of any successful organization. I also believe that it is important to treat others with respect and kindness, which is why I always try to be kind and helpful to others."
This question can help the interviewer determine your experience level with sourcing tools. If you have previous experience using sourcing tools, share what type of tool it was and how you used it to find candidates for your previous role. If you don’t have any experience using sourcing tools, explain what type of tool you would like to learn more about and why.
Answer Example: "I have extensive experience using sourcing tools to find candidates. In my current role as a Technical Sourcer, I use a variety of tools to find qualified candidates for open positions. My favorite tool is LinkedIn because it allows me to search for professionals based on their education and experience. I also use Google Search to find relevant websites where I can find potential candidates."
This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the hiring process and when it’s appropriate to contact candidates. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the steps of the hiring process and when each one takes place.
Answer Example: "I believe the best time to contact a candidate about a job offer is after they’ve had an opportunity to review their interview feedback. This allows them to see what areas they excelled in during the interview process and how they can improve in the future. It also gives them time to think about whether they want to accept the position or not."
This question is a great way to show your ability to work with a team and improve an organization’s culture. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you understand the importance of diversity in the workplace and have ideas on how to achieve it.
Answer Example: "I believe that diversity is an important factor in any company, so I would start by looking for candidates who represent different backgrounds and cultures. I would also make sure to include women in my searches because I know that many companies are looking for more female developers. Finally, I would make sure to reach out to organizations like Code Like a Girl to find qualified candidates who may not be actively looking for a job."
Employers ask this question to make sure you have a plan for ensuring your pool of candidates is diverse. They want to know that you understand the importance of diversity in the workplace and have strategies for achieving it. In your answer, explain how you plan to source candidates from different backgrounds and cultures. Share some of the strategies you use to find qualified individuals who may not fit the typical tech candidate profile.
Answer Example: "I understand the importance of maintaining a diverse pool of candidates and I am committed to doing so. When searching for candidates, I make sure to look beyond traditional sources like LinkedIn and job boards. I also use social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to find qualified individuals who may not be actively seeking employment. In addition, I make sure to reach out to organizations that support underrepresented groups in tech to find qualified candidates. By utilizing these strategies, I am confident that I can find qualified candidates from all backgrounds."
This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have an in-depth knowledge of their organization and its needs. Use this opportunity to highlight any research you did on the company before your interview, as well as any skills or experiences that make you an ideal candidate.
Answer Example: "I am an ideal technical sourcer for your organization because I have extensive experience in technical sourcing. I have worked with a wide range of technologies, including Java, C++, Python, Ruby on Rails, and JavaScript. I also have a strong understanding of coding best practices and can quickly identify qualified candidates based on their resumes and portfolios."
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have any experience working with the company’s technical skills. It also allows you to show off your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it to your work. When answering this question, try to focus on skills that are relevant to the job description.
Answer Example: "I find working with Java and Python the most enjoyable because I find them to be very user-friendly languages. I’ve worked on several projects where we used these languages, so I’m familiar with their ins and outs. I also find them to be very efficient when it comes to coding."
This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand what the job of a technical sourcer involves. You can answer this question by identifying one or two aspects of the job that are most important and explaining why they are important.
Answer Example: "I think the most important aspect of the job of a technical sourcer is finding candidates who meet the requirements of the job posting. It’s important to me that candidates are qualified for the position so they have an opportunity to succeed in their new role. I also value communication with hiring managers and recruiters throughout the hiring process. I want to make sure that everyone is on the same page and that the candidate selected is the best fit for the position."
This question can help the interviewer understand your process for updating the database and how often you do so. Your answer should show that you have a system in place for updating candidate information, such as when they apply for new positions or when you contact them about new opportunities.
Answer Example: "I update my candidate database every time I search for candidates or when I receive a new application. I also update it when I contact candidates about open positions or when they apply for jobs. This helps me keep track of all the information I have about each candidate so I can refer them to relevant positions as they become available."
This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and how you would approach a challenging situation. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you would take to find someone who has the necessary skills for the role.
Answer Example: "If I couldn’t find a candidate with the necessary skills, I would first look at whether there was anything I could do to improve the job description. If it’s still not attracting candidates with the right qualifications, I would look at other ways to find suitable candidates. For example, I could reach out to my network of contacts to see if anyone knows someone who might be qualified."
This question allows you to showcase your skills and abilities as a technical sourcer. You can describe a specific hire that you made or how you helped a company find the right candidate for a position.
Answer Example: "I recently helped a company find a developer who could work on their project. The company was looking for someone with specific skills, such as JavaScript and HTML coding. I used my knowledge of the tech industry to search for candidates who met the criteria. After searching through many resumes, I found someone who had all the right qualifications. The company hired the candidate and is now working with them on their project."
Employers want to know that you are committed to your career and have a passion for learning. They also want to see that you are able to adapt to new technologies as they become available. Show them that you have a variety of ways to stay up-to-date on the latest technical trends in the industry.
Answer Example: "I have several ways that I keep up-to-date with the latest technical trends. First, I subscribe to several newsletters and blogs that provide information about new technologies and developments in the field. Second, I attend conferences and seminars where experts in the field share their knowledge. Finally, I am active in online forums and communities where I can ask questions and learn from other professionals."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you use your skills and experience to ensure that each candidate meets the requirements of a job posting. Use examples from past projects to explain how you use technology or other methods to ensure that all candidates meet the necessary criteria before you forward their information to the hiring manager.
Answer Example: "I use a variety of techniques to ensure that candidates meet all of the criteria specified in a job description. First, I read through the job description thoroughly to understand what skills and experience are required. Then, I use an applicant tracking system to filter out any candidates who do not meet the requirements. This saves me time when searching through resumes because I know that all of the applicants have the necessary qualifications."
