PPS' Recruitment Blog

What is a talent pool?

Talent pools are everywhere now.  In the simplest terms they are sources of potential candidates for companies that are recruiting.  If you have applied for a job recently then the chances are you will have entered a talent pool at some stage in the process.

The main routes to a talent pool are:

Online job boards

Technology has transformed both the way we look for jobs and how companies look for candidates.  Many candidates now post their CV along with a brief profile to online jobboards.  These online job boards allow categorisation for industry, job type, experience and educational levels.   Both recruitment agencies and end user clients can then pay to search these online talent pools to find suitable candidates.

There are no real restrictions to entry for candidates but with the industry growing so fast candidates should ensure to keep track of where they are registered, as the responsibility for keeping a record up to date lies with themselves.  In order to be found by relevant companies candidates should familiarise themselves with how companies would search for candidates of a similar profile.

Before posting your CV and profile you should consider some key facts about the job board.  Is it a good match for your experience, industry and job level?

Specialist agencies

Specialist recruitment agencies advertise in a variety of different places.  Once you register withan agency, your details will be held in their talent pool; coded in such a way that they can match potential jobs to your skills and experience.

Recruitment consultants will tell you if they choose to register you and if they do then administration methods vary.  Some will require you attend an interview inperson.  In all cases you should keep your recruitment consultant up to date with your current situation and update your skills and experience as appropriate.

Recruitment consultants often pro actively try to generate business using the CV’s of good candidates registered in their talentpool.  Make sure you understand how you will be informed if your details are presented to a client.  It could cause difficulties later if you apply directly.

End user clients:

Most companies using progressive recruitment methods are now using online application forms and applicant tracking technology.  “Weeding out” questions during this online process will determine  minimum criteria;such as right to work and essential skills.  Without this, an automatic rejection email will be sent.   This means that when candidates apply on their website, or through a link in an on-line advertisement, a talent pool is automatically created of all candidates who have passed the minimum criteria.

By creating a talent pool companies are avoiding unnecessaryadvertising and administration time. They are also removing the need to pay a recruitment agency fee (often as high as 30% of salary) for somebody who has found them themselves.

Talent pools are not a new phenomena.  Companies have been developing them for years in order to have a ready to draw on group of candidates with the right skills and experience.  In the past they wouldhave been manually kept and filed; now they are automated and electronic.

So be prepared for the fact that when you apply for a job,or log your CV on a job board, you may be making yourself part of a future talent pool. Make sure that your CV and covering letter are specific enough for the role that you are applying to, but also broad enough to appeal to anyone delving into the talent pool in a few months time.

Written by Amanda Marques, Business Solutions Director at PPS recruitment process outsourcing