In this episode of The Recruiting Book Club, host Carmen Hudson sits down with Shally Steckerl – sourcing pioneer, educator, and author of The
Sourcing and Recruitment Handbook. Known as one of the earliest voices
in online recruiting education, Shally’s career spans from Peace Corps
volunteer to founder, trainer, consultant, and strategic advisor to top TA
organizations.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Shally unpacks the twists and turns of his unconventional path into recruiting, the evolution of sourcing
from a back-office function to a critical business strategy, and the
hard-earned lessons behind his multiple books. Listeners will hear how a random pool game led to a lifelong career, what makes sourcing today fundamentally different than it was 10 years ago, and why the future of talent strategy requires more than tools - it demands perspective.
Key themes discussed include:
• Origin Story of a Sourcing Legend: Shally recounts the improbable moment that sparked his recruiting journey and the mentors who shaped his trajectory - from contingency staffing to corporate TA to global consulting.
• Sourcing as Strategic Intelligence: Beyond finding candidates, Shally reveals how sourcing acts as a lever for competitive intel, workforce planning, and business readiness in volatile markets.
• Automation vs. Insight: While today’s AI tools can process resumes at scale, Shally cautions against overreliance. He shares real-world examples of candidates overlooked by algorithms but hired through human judgment - underscoring the irreplaceable role of recruiter intuition.
• Hiring Manager Accountability: The conversation dives into overlooked metrics around hiring manager performance. Shally argues for equal scrutiny on both sides of the recruiting equation to improve conversion and outcomes.
• The Pain and Power of Writing a Real Book: Shally shares the raw truth behind publishing a true reference text - ISBNs, editing rounds, industry relevance - and the obsessive drive required to put real knowledge into lasting form.
This episode is essential listening for anyone in recruiting
or TA leadership looking to elevate sourcing from a tactical task to a
strategic asset - and anyone curious about the mind behind one of the field’s foundational texts.
Follow Carmen Hudson on LinkedIn
or visit www.carmenhudson.com
Connect with Shally Steckerl on LinkedIn
Get your copy of The Sourcing and Recruitment Handbook by Shally Steckerl - the definitive field manual for mastering online talent discovery, optimizing sourcing workflows, and outpacing the competition with practical, battle-tested tactics.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices