Last Updated December 31, 2024
For staffing companies and other types of employment agencies, CRM software is one of the most vital purchases that directly improve overall performance and efficiency. In fact, one could say running a successful staffing agency is impossible without the use of a reliable CRM platform.
But if you’re new to the industry, you might be wondering what all this software can provide, how much it costs, and which options are the best. If that’s the case, keep reading to find out.
What Is Candidate Relationship Management?
‘CRM’ stands for Candidate Relationship Management, a term that describes how recruiters, hiring managers, and staffing agencies nurture and interact with candidates in their pipeline throughout the recruitment process.
Candidate relationship management is an exhaustive, fairly all-encompassing process, as it begins the moment candidates are identified and doesn’t necessarily even have an endpoint. CRM is emphasized by recruiters and staffing agencies even after candidates are placed into positions. For instance, a recruiter might stay in touch with candidates after placement to gauge how their role is going, get feedback on the recruitment process, and to maintain a relationship in case the candidate leaves their role and is open to hiring in the future.
What Is Staffing CRM Software?
CRM software is used by staffing agencies, recruitment firms and employers to manage and nurture candidate relationships and streamline aspects of the CRM process. It’s regarded as an essential tool for staffing firms and other employment agencies in order to optimize their operations and improve their talent pool management.
Staffing CRM Software Capabilities
CRM for staffing companies is crucial because it provides the platform to level-up your candidate relationship management abilities. By using staffing CRM software, you can:
- Store high quantities of data, including candidate names’ contact information, skills, and more.
- Track past interactions with candidates.
- Build thorough candidate pipelines by tracking candidates’ progress throughout the hiring funnel.
- Optimize talent sourcing through CRM software’s ability to scour job boards and social media sites for ideal candidates.
- Analyze large sets of data to improve candidate matching.
- Automate email sending and interview scheduling, thanks to AI-powered systems such as chat bots.
- Automate other tedious tasks. For instance, candidates can access a portal to sign employment forms and other legal and tax-related documents.
| Platform | Pricing | Perks | Con |
| Bullhorn | Bullhorn Starter: $99 per month Bullhorn Corporate: $199 per month Bullhorn Enterprise: Custom | The most comprehensive CRM platform. | One of the most expensive options. |
| Zoho CRM | Offers a free plan, with other plans ranging from $14 to $52 monthly | Highly-effective search function and budget-friendly. | Lacks a full-time staffing and recruiting-specific support team. |
| Manatal | Plans start at $15/month. | Highly customizable tools and starts at only $15/month. | Lacks candidate self-scheduling and various other candidate engagement tools. |
| Loxo | Offers a free plan, with the starter plan costing $119 per month. | Known for exceptional customer service and ease-of-use. | AI features only available in the most expensive subscriptions. |
| Gem | Based on a consultation with a sales representative. | Offers top-notch reporting and candidate sourcing features. | Users note issues with Gem Extension, particularly when having multiple tabs open. |
Bullhorn
Bullhorn is likely the most well-known staffing CRM software, and for good reason. It’s considered the most comprehensive CRM platform, with an applicant tracking system (ATS) capable of overseeing the entire candidate life cycle, some of the most in-depth reporting capabilities, and a highly rated mobile application. Pricing starts at $99 per month.
Zoho CRM
Zoho is known as being one of the best CRM for staffing companies who might be operating on a tight budget, since they offer a free subscription.
While Zoho isn’t as comprehensive as some of the other best candidate relationship management software, it’s great for new staffing agencies who might not be able to afford to spend hundreds of dollars per month on software. The search function includes numerous specific filters to really help recruiters narrow down a search to optimize their pipeline. It’s also really simple to use. You should be able to get the hang of it after one demo.
Manatal
Manatal is another popular and often recommended CRM software. It’s known for its variety of customization tools and user-friendly interface. Plus, it offers a Chrome Extension, meaning capturing large quantities of data is really simple. It’s an affordable option, with plans starting at $15/month.
The downside? Manatal has been criticized for not offering enough candidate engagement tools, particularly when it comes to candidate self-scheduling for interviews. Still, it’s one of the best CRM for staffing agencies and is worth the demo.
Loxo
Loxo is renowned for its customer service and its recently added AI-powered features, such as robust sourcing tools and exceptional automated candidate sourcing capabilities. Plus, they advertise that these tools account for natural recruitment bias, which can be a real time-saver for recruiters.
Unfortunately, many of these AI features are only available through their most expensive plans, meaning it may not be affordable for small staffing agencies with limited working capital. While there is a free platform, the starter platform is $119/month, with the professional and enterprise platforms requiring a consultation for pricing.
Gem
Gem is one of the most highly rated CRM platforms. Users note its reporting and candidate reporting features as some of the top features, in addition to its Chrome extension. It’s also considered one of the easiest CRM platforms to use, with a user-friendly interface.
Notable issues with Gem include its Chrome extension (coined the “Gem Extension”) often having technical difficulties, specifically when multiple tabs are open on the same browser. Pricing is also strictly based on a consultation with a Gem sales professional.
Get a Demo Before Choosing CRM Software for Your Staffing Companies
It’s really helpful, if not essential, to get a demo of the candidate relationship management tool of your choice before fully investing in it.
Most staffing CRM software offer free demos. These demos allow you to test out features and functionalities to give you a taste of what the full experience might be like. This allows you to figure out what you like about certain software, what you don’t like, and whether or not it’s worth the subscription.
In-Summary: Best CRM Platforms for Staffing Companies
A candidate relationship management platform will probably be one of the first investments you make after opening your staffing agency.
However, you’ll want to do your homework before subscribing to any CRM software, because the decision you make will ultimately play a big role in dictating the efficiency of your employment agency. Making the right choice can lead to more optimal candidate placements, while making the wrong choice could lead to more bad than good. That’s why you should request a demo before subscribing to a plan and speak to a sales representative to ensure all of your boxes are checked regarding what you’re looking for in a platform.
Michael McCareins is the Content Marketing Associate at altLINE, where he is dedicated to creating and managing optimal content for readers. Following a brief career in media relations, Michael has discovered a passion for content marketing through developing unique, informative content to help audiences better understand ideas and topics such as invoice factoring and A/R financing.
