Webinars

Fill Your Roles Faster: Turn Past Connections Into Future Hires

Finding the right hire doesn’t always mean starting from scratch. In this webinar, we explored how past applicants can become your next great team members. You’ll learn how to build a stronger talent pipeline and keep candidates engaged.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

  • Past applicants are an untapped goldmine — Your previous candidates, silver-medal finalists, and even folks who applied long ago can be re-engaged and converted, saving sourcing time.
  • Build a proactive hiring “pipeline” — Rather than reacting whenever a role opens, maintain a pool of qualified, interested people so you’re always ready.
  • Employer branding matters — Candidates will research you. A strong, authentic employer story—via your website, job pages, social proof—helps you attract top talent.
  • Frequent engagement keeps people warmRegular check-ins, meaningful touches, and nurturing talent (even in small ways) prevent lost interest.
  • Leverage internal & referrals — Employees, past applicants, and broader networks offer strong leads if you cultivate those connections.
Turn your past connections into future hires—that’s how you fill roles faster and stop scrambling every time a new position opens.

– Carmen Bryant, VP of Marketing, Wizehire)

Q&A Highlights

Q: How can I reduce time-to-hire without compromising on quality?

A: Start with people you already know — past applicants, referrals, and silver-medal candidates. They’ve shown interest before, so re-engaging them often leads to faster, higher-quality hires than starting from scratch.

Q: What role do assessments play in hiring the right person?

A: Assessments like Wizehire’s DISC+ go beyond résumés. They help identify soft skills, culture fit, and work style — factors that often matter more for long-term success than just credentials.

Q: How can I make my job postings stand out?

A: Treat them like marketing content. Highlight your culture, mission, benefits, and career growth opportunities. A clear, engaging career page can be just as persuasive as the job ad itself.

Passive Candidate Strategy 101: How to Attract Talent That Isn’t Actively Looking

Some of the best job candidates aren’t outwardly searching for new opportunities. That’s why developing a passive candidate strategy is…


Q: Candidates keep dropping out of the process. What can I do?

A: Communication is key.
Even short updates like “We’re reviewing applications this week” show respect and keep candidates engaged. Candidate texting and automated reminders help prevent silence and no-shows.

Q: Is it worth considering people outside my industry?

A: Yes. Many skills are transferable. For example, customer service or hospitality professionals often excel in client-facing roles in other sectors. With solid onboarding, they can become some of your best hires.

Q: What’s the best way to maintain a healthy talent pipeline?

A: Review it regularly. Update outdated information and segment candidates into groups so you can quickly re-engage the right ones when roles open.

Q: How can I improve retention once I’ve made a hire?

A: Build a culture of growth. Provide clear expectations, offer learning and advancement opportunities, and keep communication open. Candidates who see a future with you are far more likely to stay.

Find your people

Turn your past connections into future hires, so you don’t need to start from scratch every time.

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Author

  • christel-sonnekalb

    Christel is a product marketing professional in tech with 11+ years of experience. She has a deep understanding of the hiring and recruitment industry and a proven track record of delivering results. One of her greatest strengths is her ability to execute complex product launches and develop effective marketing strategies to share product updates with users. She's our Wizehire product guru.

    View all posts Senior Product Marketing Manager

Christel Sonnekalb

Christel is a product marketing professional in tech with 11+ years of experience. She has a deep understanding of the hiring and recruitment industry and a proven track record of delivering results. One of her greatest strengths is her ability to execute complex product launches and develop effective marketing strategies to share product updates with users. She's our Wizehire product guru.

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