a telecom giant scales talent sourcing for high-volume hiring.
building on a 19-year strategic partnership, a recruiter on-demand (ROD) model flexes to respond to immediate hiring needs
client
A leading telecommunications services provider, offering voice, data, internet and managed networking solutions across the U.S. and Mexico.challenges
The company faced a critical need to scale its resources in direct alignment with fluctuating talent acquisition demands, yet it frequently lacked the internal capacity to manage these volatile hiring cycles. This limited flexibility led to significant bottlenecks during peak periods, as the team struggled to scale quickly enough to meet urgent business requirements. Consequently, understaffed phases resulted in an increased time to fill for vital roles, stalling operational momentum.solution
Building on a 19-year partnership with Randstad Sourceright, a part of Randstad Enterprise, the recruitment strategy evolved to an end-to-end recruiter on demand (ROD) model that manages the full high-volume hiring process as a seamless part of the client’s talent acquisition team. This full process management ensures complete ownership of the hiring life cycle, right through to the final requirement close out. The sourcing model is supported by pipeline specialists and on-site sourcers, and is now introducing AI technologies to drive unprecedented high-volume hiring efficiency.key results
- The dedicated support team expanded to nearly 80 professionals, successfully taking over full process management for the client.
- In the first half of last year, the ROD facilitated over 16,000 completed applicant tests, with a 50% conversion rate, and executed nearly 24,000 outreach engagements.
- Client satisfaction remains remarkably high with perfect Net Promoter Scores, as the client views the partnership as an extension of its own workforce.
agility in a landscape of constant change
Operating in the fast-paced IT and technology sector, this U.S.-based telecommunications giant faces a constant state of hiring flux. With a massive reach across the U.S. and Mexico, the company struggled to manage the volatility of its hiring needs, particularly for high-volume roles, such as call center staff, retail associates and installation technicians. The internal talent acquisition team can’t always flex quickly enough to meet these urgent demands, which led to significant delays during peak hiring periods.
The company also faced significant pressure to handle a massive surge in call center volume — increasing from 15,000 people to 24,000 — while simultaneously dealing with outdated infrastructure, relying on technology and systems that made it difficult to move at the speed of the market.
Internally, the organization struggles with a lack of overarching talent acquisition expertise, as leadership often transitions from business units with operational backgrounds, rather than recruitment backgrounds. This frequently leads to reactive fire-drill resource allocation and a resistance to the deep operational changes necessary to move beyond traditional, less impactful hiring methods.
a future-ready sourcing engine
To eliminate bottlenecks, the organization now partners with Randstad Sourceright, part of Randstad Enterprise. Together they implemented a recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) solution tailored to the company's unique needs and skills requirements.
What began nearly two decades ago as a modest recruiter on demand (ROD) team has evolved into a comprehensive, end-to-end ROD solution with a team that now outnumbers the client's internal team. The ROD now manages recruitment for the client’s high-volume workforce, handling screening to onboardings for call center roles, retail personnel, installation technicians and machine operators. Over the last two years, the ROD also began managing the organization’s sourcing function, adding automation specialists, traditional sourcing experts and on-site support in key hubs like San Antonio and Miami to manage in-person events.
This agile resource allocation allows the client to scale resources up or down quickly in direct alignment with its immediate hiring needs, providing the flexibility to pivot during sudden shifts in volume or priority. The strategy has recently embraced AI tools, allowing the partnership to bypass legacy technology limitations and enhance high-volume hiring effectiveness.
deep alignment and total workforce integration.
The result of this 19-year evolution is a partnership that functions as a true extension of the client’s own workforce, and it has achieved a level of operational resilience that was previously unattainable.
The ROD successfully provides a robust and scalable foundation for the organization’s future growth. This partnership has grown nearly tenfold, and includes a team of professionals who act as an extension of the client’s team as they manage the full recruitment process.
Hiring managers have reported higher satisfaction due to improved responsiveness and the quality of support, while candidates benefit from more timely communication.
An associate director of network services said, “What [Randstad Sourceright has] accomplished in the last 60 days is outstanding. I have spent the better part of the last three years with double-digit openings, and in this short time frame you have narrowed it down to four openings, and they all are in the background. I can’t thank you enough for the hard work and dedication you have shown to help position my team for success.”
By supplementing the internal sourcing and high-volume teams, Randstad Sourceright has provided the client with the flexibility to scale up or down as priorities shift, ensuring that even during periods of intense change, the recruitment "plane" continues to fly smoothly. The organization has been able to increase productivity as recruitment operations and processes are streamlined. Today, the relationship continues to evolve, with the partner now codeveloping solutions to overcome technological limitations and operational resistance to change.