A new report from TestGorilla exposes a paradox at the heart of hiring. While 77% of HR and recruiting professionals say active sourcing is “essential” to their TA strategy, most companies actively source fewer than half of their hires. The study highlights the mounting pressures on talent teams, the shortcomings of current sourcing technology, and the looming readiness gap: Only 37% say they feel well prepared for AI, automation, and advanced analytics shaping the future of sourcing.  

Key findings from the report include the following.  

• Although three-quarters say active sourcing is very important or essential to their TA strategy, only 27% actively source more than half their hires. 
• Over half (58%) struggle to verify skills on resumes, 47% find it difficult to identify candidates aligned with the company culture, and 43% cite a lack of skilled candidates in the market. 
• Nearly half (46%) say their current sourcing tools are ineffective; integration failures and outdated candidate data are the biggest frustrations. 
• Only 37% of sourcing teams feel prepared for the rise of AI, automation, and advanced analytics in recruitment. 

“Sourcing teams are under more pressure than ever. They’re expected to deliver quality hires in a market where AI is rapidly reshaping talent acquisition, skills are harder to verify, and outdated tools can’t keep up,” says Wouter Durville, CEO and co-founder of TestGorilla. “Our research shows that while nearly eight in ten leaders say active sourcing is vital, most still rely on passive hires because of these barriers. Better sourcing comes down to three things: smarter signals on skills and culture, tools that integrate seamlessly, and clear ROI measurement so you can double down on what works and fix what doesn’t.”