When companies are looking to fill a position, they will source candidates in a variety of ways. Some candidates will actively apply to the position, while others will be sourced through passive means. So, what is the difference between active and passive candidates?

Active candidates are those who have taken the initiative to apply to a position. They will have submitted their resume and cover letter in response to a job listing or advertisement. Passive candidates, on the other hand, have not actively applied for a position, but may still be a good fit for the role. Companies will source passive candidates through things like employee referrals, job boards, or LinkedIn.

There are pros and cons to both active and passive candidates. Active candidates are easier to assess since you can see their qualifications and how they have marketed themselves in their application. Passive candidates may take more time to assess since you will likely need to reach out to them and sell them on the position. However, passive candidates may be a better fit for the role since they are not actively job searching and may be more loyal to your company.

At the end of the day, it is up to the company to decide whether they want to source active or passive candidates. There is no wrong answer, and each company will have their own preferences.