This article is for administrators.
After completing job profile calibration, you must choose a Sourcing Method for the position.
A sourcing method defines the workflow that Paycor Smart Sourcing uses to source and engage candidates for a position. It determines how involved you want to be in the candidate discovery and outreach process.
Smart Sourcing reviews your job description and calibration feedback, then uses that information to identify candidate profiles that match your hiring needs.
There are three sourcing method options:
- AI Source Candidates: Smart Sourcing automatically finds and contacts candidates.
- Select Additional Candidates Manually: You review and select candidates while Smart Sourcing handles candidate outreach.
- Select and Contact Candidates Manually: You control both candidate selection and candidate outreach.
For all steps, refer to Calibrate Job Profiles in Smart Sourcing for Better Candidate Matches.
Prerequisites
Before selecting a sourcing method:
- The user designated as the Smart Sourcing Manager on the job record must select the sourcing method.
- Job profile calibration must be complete.
- At least seven candidate profiles must be evaluated using Qualify and Disqualify reasons.
Select a sourcing method
After you rate at least seven profiles using Qualify and Disqualify reasons, a window appears with three sourcing options.
Choose one of the following methods to begin sourcing candidates.
AI source candidates
Select this option if you want Smart Sourcing to automatically find and contact candidates.
With this option:
- The system selects candidates that best match your qualifications.
- Smart Sourcing contacts those candidates automatically.
- Interested candidates are added to the ATS as Smart Sourced candidates.
-
You can adjust Diversity Settings to increase representation in the candidate pool (optional).
-
Diversity Settings are an optional feature available when you select AI Source Candidates. These settings use Smart Sourcing's AI-driven diversity insights to help increase representation from different demographic groups in the candidate pool, supporting a more diverse and inclusive sourcing pipeline.
-
Diversity Settings are an optional feature available when you select AI Source Candidates. These settings use Smart Sourcing's AI-driven diversity insights to help increase representation from different demographic groups in the candidate pool, supporting a more diverse and inclusive sourcing pipeline.
Select candidates manually
Select this option if you want to review and choose candidates yourself while letting Smart Sourcing handle the outreach.
With this option:
-
You mark candidates as Qualified or Disqualified.
- The system contacts qualified candidates automatically.
- Disqualified candidates are not contacted.
Manual Messaging
Select this option if you want full control over both selection and outreach. You select the candidates manually withing Paycor Smart Sourcing, then contact them through the Recruiting platform.
With this option:
- You choose which candidates you want to send to the Recruiting platform.
- You contact candidates directly from the Recruiting platform.
- Recruiters can customize outreach messages before sending.
Notes:
- This option is available only for positions not subject to GDPR or CCPA regulations.
-
Submitted candidates appear as Passive Candidates in the Recruiting platform.
-
The Submitted to ATS counter updates as you submit candidates.
Edit sourcing settings
You can change your sourcing method at any time.
-
Select Edit Sourcing Settings.
-
Switch between automatic or manual sourcing.
- The system contacts candidates based on your selected method.
If no additional candidates are found
If Smart Sourcing cannot identify additional suitable candidates during manual selection:
- A search screen appears while Smart Sourcing attempts to find more candidates.
- Select Automatic Smart Sourcing to let the system take over sourcing and outreach when candidates are found.
- You can return later and select Calibrate in the Recruiting platform to be taken back to Smart Sourcing to review new candidates
Results
After you have selected a Smart Sourcing method, candidates receive automatic outreach or you select candidates. This is based on the method you chose.
The next step is to review your smart-sourced candidates.
Updated: August 14th, 2026 1516 views 0 likes
*This content is for educational purposes only, is not intended to provide specific legal advice, and should not be used as a substitute for the legal advice of a qualified attorney or other professional. The information may not reflect the most current legal developments, may be changed without notice and is not guaranteed to be complete, correct, or up-to-date.