Sourcing

Sourcing is the process of identifying, attracting, and reaching out to potential job candidates—often before they even apply for a role.

Homebase Team

Min Read

What is sourcing?

Sourcing is the process of identifying, attracting, and reaching out to potential job candidates—often before they even apply for a role. It’s a proactive part of the hiring process that helps businesses build a pipeline of qualified talent.

For small business owners, sourcing can be a game changer. Instead of waiting for the perfect candidate to apply, you go out and find them. Whether you’re browsing job boards, using employee referrals, or networking in your community, effective sourcing helps you hire faster and smarter.

How is sourcing different from recruiting?

Sourcing is often considered the first step in recruiting, but they’re not quite the same thing:

Sourcing is about finding and connecting with potential candidates
Recruiting involves screening, interviewing, and hiring those candidates

In larger companies, sourcing and recruiting may be handled by different people. In smaller teams, it’s often one person wearing multiple hats.

Why sourcing matters for small businesses

If you’ve ever posted a job and heard crickets, you already know why sourcing is important. It helps you:

Reach passive candidates who aren’t actively applying but are open to new roles
Save time by building a ready-to-go list of potential hires
Improve candidate quality by being intentional about who you reach out to
Fill roles faster, especially in competitive industries like hospitality and retail

Even a little sourcing can make a big difference when you’re trying to grow your team without delays.

Common sourcing methods

You don’t need a corporate-sized recruiting budget to start sourcing. Here are a few ways small businesses find great talent:

Job board databases – Sites like Indeed or ZipRecruiter often let you browse resumes
Social media – Platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook Groups, or even Instagram for local or niche outreach
Employee referrals – Ask current team members to recommend people they know
Community boards – Post in local cafes, libraries, or community centers
Past applicants – Revisit strong candidates who previously applied for similar roles

Pro tip: Be sure to follow fair hiring practices and get consent before contacting candidates directly.

How to get started with sourcing

Define your ideal candidate – Skills, experience, availability, and cultural fit
Choose your sourcing channels – Pick a few platforms or networks where your candidates are likely to be
Create a message template – Write a friendly, personalized outreach message
Track your outreach – Keep notes on who you’ve contacted and their responses

If you’re short on time, tools like Homebase can simplify your hiring process so you can focus more on connecting with people—and less on paperwork.

Try Homebase Hiring & Onboarding to post jobs, manage applicants, and streamline hiring all in one place.

Sourcing tips for small business owners

Keep it personal – Candidates are more likely to respond to a thoughtful message than a generic one
Focus on timing – Reach out early in the week or mid-morning for better response rates
Highlight your strengths – Emphasize your business culture, flexibility, or growth opportunities
Be persistent but respectful – Follow up if needed, but don’t flood someone’s inbox

Sourcing isn’t just about filling roles—it’s about building a reputation as a great place to work.

How Homebase helps with sourcing and hiring

While Homebase doesn’t source candidates for you, it helps streamline everything once you start the hiring process. With Homebase, you can:

Post jobs to top job boards automatically
Track applicants and resumes in one dashboard
Communicate with candidates directly through the platform
Onboard new hires with digital paperwork and checklists

Sign up for Homebase to make hiring easier, faster, and more organized—from your first candidate outreach to their first day on the job.

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