We often hear: “Recruiting must be proactive.” It’s not because recruiters aren’t doing their jobs. It’s because businesses change: priorities shift, forecasts get thrown off, and hiring needs move in unexpected directions.

Shifting Priorities in Software and Game Development

In my experience in software and game development, the goalposts are moving. Delays happen in projects, budgets shift, and priorities change. This impacts recruiting strategies — today’s fire is tomorrow’s back burner.

But you know what doesn’t change? The need to build strong talent pipelines. Even when everything else is shifting, having a pool of qualified, engaged candidates allows you to pivot when those changes come. And it’s not about sending cold emails or blasting out job postings; it’s about building genuine relationships with talent.

What Proactive Recruiting Means

So, what does recruiting look like? It’s not about trying to predict every future hire. Proactive recruiting is about sourcing and relationship-building. Here’s how:

• Talent Pipelines: Sourcing candidates, even when you don’t have an immediate need, creates a talent pool for future hiring needs.

• Building Relationships: Proactive recruiting is about more than just resumes. It’s about nurturing relationships with potential candidates so that when a role opens up, you’ve already established trust and rapport with the right people.

• Anticipate: Always source ahead of time for unexpected hiring needs. This means looking for top talent before you have an open position, so you’re not starting from scratch when the business makes a sudden shift.

Recruiting Will Always Be Reactive

Despite planning, recruiting still involves reacting to immediate needs. We’re often left responding to what’s happening in real time. And that’s okay. The key is balancing reactive recruiting with proactive sourcing. Recruiting is a balancing act that requires tenacity. (Here’s why tenacity is your greatest asset.)

To handle last-minute hiring chaos, build strong pipelines and relationships. It’s the relationships, not just the strategies, that help us move when those goalposts shift.

How to Stay Ahead (Even When You Can’t Plan for Everything)

• Consistent Outreach: Even if you’re not hiring today, keep building those relationships: reach out, check in, and remain top of mind with great candidates. (Why is ghosting such a problem?)

• Strong Employer Branding: A good brand does a lot of the work for you: Establish a positive reputation for candidate experience and a desirable work environment, ensuring they are expecting your outreach. (If you’re navigating a layoff, here’s a guide to help.)

• Data-Driven Forecasting: You can’t predict everything, but you can use historical data to guide your sourcing efforts and help make sure you’re prepared when the unexpected happens.

A Quick Reminder on Why Relationships Matter

Being proactive means focusing on people; the strongest hires come from ongoing relationships, not last-minute cold outreach. Sourcing is key to establishing impactful relationships in recruiting.