Our latest report reveals a paradox at the heart of hiring

Key findings 

• The sourcing paradox: Although three-quarters say active sourcing is very important or essential to their TA strategy, only 27% actively source more than half their hires. 

• Top challenges: 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.

• Tech gaps: Nearly half (46%) say their current sourcing tools are ineffective; integration failures and outdated candidate data are the biggest frustrations.

• Future-readiness: Only 37% of sourcing teams feel prepared for the rise of AI, automation, and advanced analytics in recruitment.

Sector insights  

• Retail: The sharpest sourcing paradox. 78% say active sourcing is essential, yet only 7% actively source more than half their hires – the widest value-action gap of any sector. Retail teams also report the lowest satisfaction with sourcing tools (31% vs. 54% industry-wide).

• Financial Services: Less likely than average to struggle with finding qualified candidates (44% vs. 54%), but face the most severe resume credibility gap: 66% say verifying candidate skills is their biggest hurdle – the highest of any sector apart from education.

• IT: Only 17% of IT organizations actively source more than half their hires, despite 83% saying active sourcing is essential. Recruiters cite outdated candidate data (44%) and integration gaps between tools (48%) as their biggest frustrations – pain points that persist even in a tech-first sector. Still, 67% plan to invest in new sourcing technology in the next 12 months. Looking ahead, IT professionals expect disruption less from skills shortages (27%) and more from AI and automation (54%) and advanced data & analytics (49%) – though many admit they are not fully prepared for these shifts.

• Marketing & Advertising: Stand out for cultural fit challenges – 56% cite it as their top sourcing issue, more than any other industry. Marketing teams are also the most likely to invest in new sourcing technology (75% vs. 61% industry average), despite being the sector most likely to anticipate disruption from economic volatility and budget constraints (40% vs. 28%).

To learn more, read the report

Wouter Durville, our CEO and Co-Founder, says: 

“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. 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.”

Sourcing teams, this is your data-driven guide for sourcing success. The complete report is available here.

Notes to editors

• About TestGorilla: TestGorilla is a global talent discovery platform that helps employers source and hire top talent based on proven skills. With access to 2m+ skills-tested candidates, a library of 350+ science-backed assessments, and bias-tested AI evaluation tools, it gives organizations a fairer, more predictive way to hire.

• Methodology: Survey of 1,000 US professionals involved in sourcing between August 2024 and August 2025 (TA professionals, external recruiters, hiring managers, HR leaders, and business owners). Respondents were balanced across gender, age, and income brackets. Data collected via independent third-party survey panels.

• Media contact: For additional data, visuals, or spokesperson quotes, contact Rebecca Parvin-Graham | PR & Communications Manager | press@testgorilla.com