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Sourcer vs human resource specialist

The differences between sourcers and human resource specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a sourcer and a human resource specialist. Additionally, a sourcer has an average salary of $65,637, which is higher than the $53,143 average annual salary of a human resource specialist.

The top three skills for a sourcer include applicant tracking systems, HR and CRM. The most important skills for a human resource specialist are data entry, oversight, and life insurance.

Sourcer vs human resource specialist overview

SourcerHuman Resource Specialist
Yearly salary$65,637$53,143
Hourly rate$31.56$25.55
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs23,22950,511
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4141
Years of experience66

What does a sourcer do?

A sourcer is responsible for performing recruitment processes proactively, searching for potential candidates across various platforms according to the requirements and qualifications of a hiring department. Sourcers handle lead generation techniques, requiring them to have excellent online navigation and utilization of software tools and applications. They identify the list of candidates and may also connect with them to see if they are interested, responding to their inquiries and concerns, and maintain the talent pool for future vacancies.

What does a human resource specialist do?

A human resources specialist is responsible for assisting in the recruitment and staffing process. Duties of a human resources specialist include updating the requirements and qualifications of a job post, handling employees' inquiries regarding compensation and benefits, maintaining employees' records, updating the status of new joiners, tracking performance reviews, and generating reports as business requires. A human resource specialist must be detail-oriented, as well as excellent in organizational and communication skills. Additionally, a human resource specialist must have a broad knowledge of the recruitment process and structure.

Sourcer vs human resource specialist salary

Sourcers and human resource specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

SourcerHuman Resource Specialist
Average salary$65,637$53,143
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $93,000Between $36,000 And $77,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateWashingtonNew Jersey
Best paying companyAppleMeta
Best paying industryHealth CareGovernment

Differences between sourcer and human resource specialist education

There are a few differences between a sourcer and a human resource specialist in terms of educational background:

SourcerHuman Resource Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Sourcer vs human resource specialist demographics

Here are the differences between sourcers' and human resource specialists' demographics:

SourcerHuman Resource Specialist
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 34.8% Female, 65.2%Male, 26.9% Female, 73.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.1% Asian, 7.6% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 7.6% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between sourcer and human resource specialist duties and responsibilities

Sourcer example responsibilities.

  • Participate in Lawson HRIS user implementation and staffing procedural strategies that manage candidate process.
  • Sourced/Recruit software engineer at various levels with background with cloud computing, machine learning.
  • Update and maintain database and CRM.
  • Post positions to external boards through ATS.
  • Search social and business networking sites (LinkedIN, Facebook, etc )
  • Assess progress within assign requirements in Taleo to determine and adjust sourcing priorities.
  • Show more

Human resource specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage site KRONOS payroll, time and attendance, and vacation tracking for hourly.
  • Manage new hire and current employee paperwork that includes status change forms, W-4s, I-9s, etc.
  • Lead a compliance initiative to ensure successful transition to the e-Verify employment verification process.
  • Integrate efforts on actions and programs where joint OPM functional effort are necessary to accomplish recruitment and enhance organizational effectiveness.
  • Advise, coach, and counsele managers and Sr.
  • Assist with affirmative action reporting, VETS100 and EEO-1 submission.
  • Show more

Sourcer vs human resource specialist skills

Common sourcer skills
  • Applicant Tracking Systems, 14%
  • HR, 14%
  • CRM, 10%
  • Source Candidates, 7%
  • Facebook, 7%
  • SEO, 6%
Common human resource specialist skills
  • Data Entry, 10%
  • Oversight, 9%
  • Life Insurance, 9%
  • Human Resources Policies, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Timekeeping, 5%

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