The various external sources of Recruitment are as follows: 

1. Direct Recruitment: This is a source of external recruitment in which the application for vacancies are presented on bulletin boards outside the factory or at the gate. A written application is submitted by the candidates and they have to take up tests and interviews. If they are suitable for the job, they are immediately selected.

2. Casual Callers (Unsolicited applications): Many qualified persons apply for employment to reputed companies on their own initiative. Such applications are known as unsolicited applications. By keeping a proper record of these applications the candidates may be called for an interview whenever the need arises.

3. Advertisement: This is the most effective means to search potential employees from outside the organization. The necessary information about the company, job descriptions and job specifications given in the advertisement brings response from suitable candidates spread over different parts of the country.

4. Employment exchange: In India, Employment exchanges have been set up by the Government for bringing together job seekers and employers who are looking for employees. Those who are searching for a job register themselves with the local employment exchanges which keep a record of all such persons. The employer informs about the vacancies to his nearest employment exchange. Most of the Government undertakings employ people through such exchanges.

5. Placement agencies: In Urban areas, a number of private organizations have started functioning as placement agencies. They register the names of job seekers and arrange interviews and send them to different companies who have suitable openings.