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From frontline hiring to executive pipelining, organizations are being forced to rethink, reshape, and rebalance how they find the right talent at the right time. What we heard in our recent Recruiting Rewired panel is clear: sourcing strategies are evolving fast - but not in a straight line.

Recently we facilitated a 5-week CXR (CareerXroads) research panel co-facilitated by @Maky Sugita, HR Technology Researcher with Indeed Recruit Partners Co., Ltd.. While IRP sponsored the administrative costs of conducting this research, all findings reflect a broad range of expert perspectives, ensuring a balanced and unbiased exploration of this topic.

The New Normal: Flexible, Fragmented, and Focused

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to sourcing anymore. Teams are adapting based on volume, complexity, and market urgency. For some, that means doubling down on AI and automation. For others, it’s about bringing sourcing responsibilities back into recruiters’ hands or splitting efforts across specialty teams.

“We've built out a "talent flywheel" strategy that encompasses how we manage our sourcing channels, engage with passive/active talent, and nurture relationships with top talent. This is key as there is no "one size fits all" approach when it comes to channel optimization.”
—  @Jim Turbek, Head of Global Recruiting, Box

From Jim’s flywheel model at Box to KPMG’s practice-specific sourcing org chart to Generac’s bifurcated “planned vs. unplanned” approach, leaders are architecting smarter, more nuanced systems. The common denominator? Intentional segmentation: it’s no longer just about filling roles, it’s about building pipelines and aligning with future workforce planning.

Tech Is a Multiplier, Not a Magic Wand

CRMs, campaign tools, and AI-powered platforms are helping teams work faster and smarter, but the human layer still matters. Avature, Beamery, Phenom, Eightfold, Findem, SeekOut: the tools are out there, but success depends on how teams use them to connect with candidates meaningfully.

High-volume hiring operations are leaning on automation and campaign optimization, while more specialized roles require a white-glove touch. What’s working best? Tech that delivers the right message at the right time, paired with recruiters who know how to follow through.

Lessons Learned: What’s Working and What Needs Work

Sourcing teams are evolving, but they’re also still solving. Some of the biggest takeaways from the panel included:

• Moving from bulk outreach to targeted, personalized nurturing

• Rediscovering qualified talent already in the CRM/ATS

• Clarifying the line between recruiting marketing and true sourcing

• Building centralized models that support specialization without creating silos

As one leader shared, “Sourcing is interpreted differently across our teams. We’re focused on education and alignment; it’s essential.”

Looking Ahead: The Future of Sourcing Is Modular

The future of sourcing is modular. Leaders are building strategies that can flex by role type, location, or hiring urgency. They’re using data to prioritize work, segment pipelines, and engage the right talent with the right message, without overwhelming the team or the tech stack.

And while AI and automation are helping recruiters do more with less, the endgame is still distinctly human: build trust, earn attention, and convert interest into impact.

More to Come

Stay tuned for our next piece in the Recruiting Rewired series, where we’ll dig into Candidate Engagement and why timing, transparency, and tech are reshaping what it means to “nurture” talent.

This article is the first in our Recruiting Rewired insights series where upon completion, we’ll offer a broader publication that brings together the knowledge shared by these seasoned professionals, ensuring you have the tools and strategies needed to stay ahead in the ever-changing landscape of talent acquisition.

It’s worth noting that the full CXR Community - over 6,000 leaders, practitioners, and experts in the recruiting industry - are also weighing in on these topics during the course of the research panel. This is just one example of the conversations happening regularly in our Community.

You’re invited to participate, follow along, and express your interest in future panels at https://cxr.works/research, where you can also download previous research publications for free.