Research methodology

Understand the evidence behind a hiring signal.

Use the source, context, and limitations together when deciding whether a company merits research.

An observation, an interpretation, and a next step

The observation

A public source shows hiring activity, such as an advertised role. Check the source itself for role details, location, and current availability.

The interpretation

The role mix or company context may suggest a fit for your desk. That is an interpretation of public activity, not confirmation of the company’s internal hiring plans.

The priority

Company scores, segments, and hiring estimates help order research. A higher score is not a probability of winning an account or a guarantee that a company uses recruiters.

The next step

Qualify the opportunity independently: confirm the vacancy, understand the hiring team, and ask whether external support is welcome.

Read dates carefully

A date when a source was checked is different from the date a job was first published. Reposted roles can appear new even when a search has been running for some time. Compare the role description and source page before describing a company’s hiring activity as recent.

Public sources can change after a feed is prepared. A closed or removed role should prompt a fresh check of the company’s hiring needs.

What a signal does not establish

That a company has approved an agency budget.
That every advertised role is an incremental hire.
That an estimated number of hires is a verified hiring plan.
That a funding or expansion announcement will result in a placement.

Keep these distinctions in your outreach. Refer to what the source actually says and use your recruiting expertise to form a relevant question.

Report a source issue

If a source is stale, a company is mismatched, or a signal appears misleading, send the company name and source link to hello@getsearchlight.io. Include what you found so the issue can be reviewed.