Talent Pipeline
Written by
Tiffany ClarkAbout the Author
Tiffany is an experienced workforce development expert with extensive experience in the public sector, course development, and online learning.
Reviewed by
VidCruiter Editorial TeamAbout the Reviewer
The VidCruiter Editorial Team offers practical recruitment advice, drawing on insights from seasoned professionals. Our award-winning content, supported by industry specialists, underscores VidCruiter's dedication to innovation in recruitment.
Last Modified
Apr 17, 2024
Talent Pipeline
A talent pipeline is a pre-vetted collection of qualified candidates who are prepared to step into an open position, filling key organizational roles when they become vacant. A talent pipeline provides employers with a pool of applicants that can be accessed when positions open. Talent pipelines can consist of the following:
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Candidates from online job portals and referrals
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Top-performing internal employees
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Individuals recruiters met in person at career fairs
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Candidates who have been interviewed in the past
Companies can build a talent pipeline so that they aren’t solely focused on finding the ideal candidate every time there is a job opening, which is known as reactive hiring. With a talent pipeline, an organization can have a reliable and targeted group of qualified applicants, and the pipeline can transform a company’s recruitment and hiring into a cost-effective and efficient proactive process.
Example:
If an essential employee manages a large team or performs decides to resign, the void caused by this individual’s absence can be costly to the company. Having a talent pipeline can streamline the process of replacing this employee without having to spend time starting at the beginning of the recruitment and hiring process.
Related Terms
Candidate Pipeline
is the term referring to a pool of potential candidates being considered by a recruiter or hiring manager. In some cases, the term may also be used to mean the same as candidate journey.
Candidate Journey
refers to the seven stages or steps that candidates go through during the recruitment and hiring process: awareness, consideration, interest, application, selection, hiring, and onboarding.
Hiring Pool
Active Candidate
Passive Candidate
refers to candidates who are happily employed and not looking for a new job. A passive candidate has not applied for a recruiter’s open position, but the recruiter or hiring manager is considering them for a specific position. In some cases, passive candidates are already employed at the recruiter’s company.