Setting Up Archer Source Tracking in Workday

Last updated: October 8, 2026

Archer · October 2026

Overview

This guide shows you how to set up Workday so every application that comes through Archer is tagged with an "Archer" source automatically. Setup takes three short tasks in Workday, and your Archer Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) will work with you throughout.

What you get:

  • Accurate reporting. Every Archer application is attributed correctly, so you can see exactly how Archer candidates progress and convert.

  • A smoother candidate experience. Candidates who apply through Archer skip the "How did you hear about us?" question.

  • Like-for-like comparison. Archer sits in your source list alongside job boards, agencies and other channels, so you can compare performance directly.

How it works

A ?source= parameter on your Workday job URL tells Workday which recruiting source to record on the application.

  1. Archer sends the candidate a link to the job on your Workday career site, with the source parameter added, e.g. https://yourcompany.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job/London/Data-Engineer_R1234/?source=Archer

  2. The candidate opens the link and applies as normal.

  3. Workday matches the parameter to the Reference ID of a recruiting source on its auto-tracking list.

  4. The application is saved with source = Archer, and the "How did you hear about us?" question is skipped.

If any step is missing (for example the source isn't on the auto-tracking list, or the spelling doesn't match), the candidate sees the question and the source depends on what they select.

Before you start

Please have the following ready before your setup session with your FDE.

What you'll need

Notes

A Workday admin with recruiting configuration access

They'll need access to the three Workday tasks below. No Workday Integrations Consultant is required.

The source name

We recommend Archer: one word, no spaces. It must match exactly in Workday and in Archer's links.

A list of your external career sites

Auto-tracking is set per career site, so step 2 is repeated for each site that hosts roles Archer is working on.

If you already have a recruiting source for hackajob, let your FDE know. We'll agree whether to reuse it, so your Archer data stays in one place.

Setup steps in Workday

Your Workday admin completes three tasks, in this order, with your FDE on hand. Type each task name into the Workday search bar.

Step 1: Create the Archer recruiting source

  1. Search for and open Maintain Recruiting Sources.

  2. Choose a source category. Use an existing one (e.g. Job Boards or Sourcing Partners), or click + at the top to create a new category.

  3. Click + next to the category name.

  4. Name the source Archer.

  5. Click OK.

Step 2: Turn on auto-tracking for your career site

  1. Search for and open Edit External Career Site.

  2. Select the external career site that hosts the roles Archer is working on.

  3. Go to the Apply - Intro section.

  4. Add Archer to the Recruiting Sources for Auto-Tracking box.

  5. Click OK. Repeat for any other career sites.

Step 3: Set the Reference ID

  1. Search for and open Edit Reference ID.

  2. Search for Archer in the Reference ID search box.

  3. Set the Reference ID value to exactly Archer, matching the source name.

  4. Click OK.

The Reference ID is the value Workday reads from the link, so this step is essential. Without it, tracking won't work.

Step 4: We configure Archer

Once Workday is set up, your FDE configures your Archer account so every apply link we send ends in ?source=Archer. There's nothing further for you to do here.

Testing

We'll run a quick test together before the first Archer candidates are sent your way.

  • ☐ Open a live job with ?source=Archer added to the end of the URL.

  • ☐ Check that the "How did you hear about us?" question does not appear.

  • ☐ Submit a test application.

  • ☐ Check in Workday that the test candidate's source shows as Archer, then withdraw or remove the test candidate.

  • ☐ Open the same job without the parameter and confirm the question does appear.

  • ☐ After the first week, run a source report to confirm Archer applications are coming through as expected.

Tips

  • Match the spelling exactly. The source name, Reference ID and link value must be identical, including capital letters.

  • Check step 3 first. If the "How did you hear about us?" question still appears, the Reference ID is the most likely cause.

  • Include every career site. Roles on an internal or second external site need step 2 repeated there.

  • Set up before launch. Applications received before tracking is live keep whatever source the candidate selected, and correcting them later is manual.

  • Use a single source. Avoid creating several variations (e.g. Archer, Archer AI, hackajob), as this splits your reporting.

Need help?

Contact your Archer FDE at any point during setup.