We’re meeting new people all the time, and if you’re anything like me, you’ve received this question not only from those you’ve just met, but from family & friends alike.
So, as a Sourcer, what do you do?
The first, and most simple answer that comes to mind for me is, I find people for job openings at my organization. But there’s more to it than that certainly.
The more I thought about it, the deeper the answers became.
- I’m a listener & researcher – I connect with hiring leaders to understand their needs & motivations for their new job opening. Not only that, but I take that information and dive deeper, trying to best understand complex scientific concepts as best as a layman can. In my field that means anything from computational chemistry to protein engineering to health economics & outcomes research. I know I’m not an expert here, and won’t pretend to be. But I know enough to be able to weed out persons with a limited scope of experience to true expertise.
- I’m an information gatherer. Partnering with my peers, we stay on top of trends, track reorganizations, and network with industry professionals so that we can be top of mind when someone is seeking a new opportunity.
- I’m a career counselor. I help friends and colleagues with their resumes when they request it, guiding them to provide concrete examples of the impacts they have made for their organization. No, your college GPA isn’t important once you’re established. Yes, highlight the project that you led that came in under budget and completed 3 weeks early.
- I’m a small part of a big picture. Though I may not be the person discovering the next molecule that will save thousands of lives, or developing next gen AI technology, I can find that person, and help them understand the vision and purpose of our organization, and where they can fit in.
- I’m the face of an organization and a tone-setter. More often than not I’m the first person the candidate speaks to. What I share can help set their frame of reference for the organization. First impressions count; make it a good one.
In writing this article, I was challenged to take this query to my peers. I decided to poll recruitment colleagues and peers from around the globe, and asked them for their creativity in response. Here are their answers, and where they hail from:
- Cambridge, United Kingdom – I’m like a dog with a freaking bone; You give me a nigh on impossible list of requirements and I WILL find it for you, no matter how long it takes.
- Wisconsin, United States – I find the people who are not interested in being found and convince them to speak with me.
- Montpellier, France – I’m like a talent scout for a sports team, but instead of finding athletes, I look for exceptional professionals. I go through resumes, social profiles, and networks to find people who have the right skills and potential to excel in specific roles.
- Kfar Saba, Israel – I’m responsible for the most important matchmaking in your life after your husband/wife.
No matter which way you choose to answer this question, there’s always more to your role than being just a Recruiter or Sourcer. You are an entry point into an organization’s overall plan. You have the ability to impact not only the business today, but for years to come, just by starting with an introductory conversation or message.
How do you answer this question? Connect with me on LinkedIn – I’d love to hear from you.
