Top-of-Funnel Recruiting Isn’t About Volume. It’s About Intention.
If your top-of-funnel is weak, you’re already playing catch-up.
I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that the best hires don’t come from frantic last-minute sourcing. They come from building smart, warm, intentional pipelines before the job is even posted.
Here’s what’s worked for me:
1. Stop Guessing. Get Clear.
I don’t source until I actually understand what “great” looks like.
Not buzzwords. Not a wishlist. The real story.
I ask:
What would make someone thrive in this role?
What skills actually matter?
What would make this job a hell yes for the right person?
That clarity saves me from wasting time on noise.
2. Quality Beats Quantity
I used to chase every channel. Job boards, social, events, everything.
Now I pick the 2 or 3 that actually convert and go all in.
Referrals and warm intros
Niche communities where people actually talk shop
Targeted events, not random ones
3. Write Like a Human, Not a Job Post
If your outreach sounds like a press release, don’t expect replies.
Instead of:
“We have an exciting opportunity at Company X…”
Try something real:
“Hey Maya, I caught your privacy talk last spring. The way you broke it down was incredible. We’re building something similar and I think you’d get a kick out of it.”
Short. Real. No fluff.
4. Brand Should Do Half the Work
If your brand isn’t pulling people in, you’ll be pushing uphill every time.
I lean on real employee stories, clean messaging, and authentic voices. When people already like what they see, outreach becomes 10x easier.
5. Nurture > Chase
Not everyone is ready now. Cool. I like to keep good people close.
Silver medalists. Event attendees. Curious lurkers.
I’d rather build a warm bench than start from zero every time.
6. Know Your Numbers
I don’t just vibe my way through TOFU. I track:
Who’s replying
Which channels are pulling their weight
How fast I can move people to a real convo
The data keeps me honest.
Top-of-funnel isn’t about spamming your way to hires.
It’s about clarity, connection, and playing the long game.
Main thesis here is that if your TOFU feels like pushing a rock uphill, it’s probably not a volume problem. It’s a strategy problem.
