Sourcing Methods Comparison

The assignment discusses the pros and cons of promoting from within versus hiring externally, and analyzes the effectiveness of three sourcing methods - newspaper ads, employee referrals, and social media - to fill 100 assembly line worker positions. The metrics include yield ratios (offers/applicants, new hires/applicants), cycle times (days to offer, days to start), and retention rates (retention at 6 months/new hires). The discussion questions focus on the relative effectiveness of each method, reasons for differences in performance, and suggestions for future improvements.

Part 1
Why do some organizations promote from within, whereas others rely on outside
hiring? What are the benefits and pitfalls of each approach?
Part 2
Measuring Sourcing Techniques
Your organization is in the process of filling 100 assembly line workers. They decide to use 3
different sourcing methods discussed in Weeks 4 and 5. In order to assess the effectiveness
of each sourcing method you have pulled together the following data:
Sourcing
Method # of Applicants # of Offers # of new hires Retention at 6
mos.
Newspaper ads
No. applications 200 25 20 8
Average # of
days 30 30 10
Employee
Referral
No. applications 40 20 20 17
Average # of
days 20 10 10
Social Media
No. applications 250 100 60 40
Average # of
days 40 20 10
Using the chart below, calculate the following:
1. The yield ratios (offers/applicants, new hires/applicants) – expressed as a percentage
2. Cycle Times (days to offer, days to start)
3. Retention rates (retention at 6 mos/# of new hires) – expressed as a percentage
Newspaper Ads Employee Referrals Social Media
Yield 1 (offers/apps)
Yield 2 (new
hire/apps)
Cycle 1 (days to
offer)
Cycle 2 (days to start)
Retention

Discussion Question:
1. What is the relative effectiveness of each of the methods based on the
above metrics?
2. What are some reasons for the differences in the three methods?
3. What would you suggest the organization do differently in the future based
on the above metrics?