What is active sourcing and what does it mean for applicants?

Active sourcing means: Recruiters actively search for candidates instead of waiting for incoming applications. LinkedIn Economic Graph 2025: Over 75% of all recruiters regularly use LinkedIn for candidate searches. BA employment statistics: Active sourcing has increased significantly in Germany, particularly in skills shortage occupations. For you as an applicant: An optimised LinkedIn profile with the right keywords can lead to recruiters approaching you — without an application. What recruiters search for: Current job title, skills, industry experience, geographic location. GDPR: Recruiters may only use publicly available information for active sourcing. Limitation: Active sourcing predominantly reaches LinkedIn-active professional groups — not all professions equally.