Best CRM for staffing agencies in 2024

Managing candidate relationships for multiple projects tracking applications, and streamlining communication are crucial for success. Which means that your CRM system should do a lot of the heavy-lifting. But not every CRM solution out there will be tailored to suit the specific needs of staffing agencies who need something that can significantly enhance productivity, improve candidate experience, and drive growth. In this blog post, we'll unpack the features you need to look for in any recruiting CRM software you're considering, and explore the best ones in the market.

8 features you need in your recruitment CRM software

When selecting a CRM for a staffing agency, consider the following features to ensure it meets your specific needs:

1. Applicant Tracking System (ATS): Integrated ATS functionality to manage job postings, track applications, and streamline the hiring process.
2. Contact Management: Robust contact management to maintain detailed candidate and client profiles.
3. Automation: Workflow automation to save time on repetitive tasks such as sending follow-up emails and scheduling interviews.
4. Reporting and Analytics: Advanced reporting tools to track key metrics, monitor performance, and make data-driven decisions.
5. Mobile Access: Mobile-friendly access to manage recruitment on the go.
6. Integration Capabilities: Easy integration with job boards, social media, email, and other essential tools.
7. Customization: Customizable workflows and dashboards to tailor the CRM to your agency’s specific processes.
8. Compliance: Tools to ensure compliance with recruitment regulations and data protection laws.

5 best recruitment CRM platform

Let's explore the best recruitment CRM in more detail so that you can make an informed decision.

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1. folk

Best for: All-in-one CRM solution for small to mid-sized staffing agencies looking for a user-friendly and customizable CRM solution.

folk is a modern CRM designed to simplify relationship management for recruitment and staffing agencies. It offers an intuitive interface and a range of features tailored to enhance efficiency and collaboration.

Key features

• Drag-and-drop interface
• Customizable workflows
• Integration with Gmail, Outlook and LinkedIn
• Automated reminders and follow-ups
• Detailed contact profiles with collaborative notes and reminders
• Integrated ATS through Zapier
• Mobile app
• AI-assistance to personalize bulk email campaigns with sequences to automate follow-ups

Pros

• Bring contacts from multiple email accounts and social media including Gmail, Outlook, LinkedIn, X, Facebook into one place.
• Create multiple candidate pipelines.
• Easy to implement without a steep learning curve thanks to an intuitive user-friendly interface.
• Export candidate search lists from LinkedIn straight into folk CRM.
• Mail merge and sequences so you can follow-up with candidates in one place.
• Create custom dashboards for multiple recruitment projects and assign reminders to colleagues so they know exactly when to follow-up.
• Create collaborative notes on each candidate so you can pick up where you left-off.

Cons

• Reporting isn't available in folk yet, but is coming soon.

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Price and plans

You can try folk for free with a 14 day free trial. After that, a monthly or annual subscription plan is as follows. 

• Standard: $20 per user, per month 
• Premium: $40 per user, per month
• Custom: Starts from $60 per user, per month 

2. Bullhorn

Best for: large-enterprise teams

Bullhorn is a leading CRM and operations software for the staffing industry. It is designed to handle the end-to-end recruitment process, from sourcing and nurturing candidates to placement and management.

Key features

• Integrated ATS and CRM
• VMS integration
• Automated data capture
• Customizable dashboards
• Mobile app

Pros

• Bullhorn is specifically designed for staffing agencies, ensuring it meets the unique needs of the industry.
• Extensive automation capabilities help reduce administrative tasks and improve efficiency.

Cons

• Clunky user interface. Bullhorn’s extensive features can be overwhelming for smaller agencies or those new to using a CRM.

Price and plans

Bullhorn's price and plans are not available unless you request a quote, suggesting a steep investment.

3. Nimble CRM

Best for: Small to mid-sized staffing agencies looking for a cost-effective and social media-integrated CRM solution.

Nimble is a simple yet powerful CRM that combines contact management with social media integration. It is ideal for agencies that leverage social media for candidate sourcing and engagement.

Key features

• Sales-first CRM
• Unified contact management
• Social media integration
• Email tracking and templates
• Pipeline management
• Mobile app

Pros

• Nimble’s ability to integrate with social media platforms makes it easier to source and engage with candidates.
• Offers a cost-effective solution for smaller agencies with budget constraints.

• Easy to set up and use, making it suitable for agencies without a dedicated IT team.

Cons

• Lacks some of the more advanced ATS functionalities found in other CRMs.
• Offers fewer customization options compared to more comprehensive CRMs.

Price and plans

Nimble offers one price plan that comes as a monthly or annual subscription.

• Annual: $24 per user, per month.
• Monthly: $29.90 per user, per month.

4. Zoho CRM

Best for: mid-sized staffing firms

Zoho CRM is a customer relationship management software known for its extensive customization options and integration capabilities. While its main product is sales-focussed, it offers a recruitment specific product through Zoho recruit.

Key features

• Zoho recruit has ATS and CRM in one product
• Workflow automation
• Customizable modules and fields
• Integration with Zoho suite and third-party apps
• Advanced analytics and reporting
• Mobile app

Pros

• High level of customization allows agencies to tailor the CRM to their specific needs.
• Seamless integration with a wide range of applications, enhancing overall productivity.

• Offers competitive pricing with a wide range of features.

Cons

• Can be complex to set up and may require time to fully leverage all features.
• Some users report that customer support can be slow or unresponsive.

Price and plans

Free plan limited to three users suitable for small businesses. After that, an annual subscription plan is as follows:

• Standard: $14 per user, per month
• Professional: $23 per user, per month
• Enterprise: $40 per user, per month

5. HubSpot CRM

Best for: Recruitment agencies looking for a free, scalable CRM with robust marketing and sales tools.

HubSpot CRM is a popular choice for businesses of all sizes due to its free tier and extensive marketing and sales capabilities. It is suitable for agencies looking to integrate their CRM with marketing efforts.

Key features

• Free CRM with unlimited users
• Email tracking and templates
• Marketing automation
• Sales automation
• Sales pipeline management
• Detailed analytics and reporting

Pros

• The free plan is highly functional, making it accessible for agencies with limited budgets.
• Strong integration with HubSpot’s marketing and sales tools enhances overall recruitment efforts.

Cons

• HubSpot CRM lacks some specific ATS features that dedicated staffing CRMs offer.
• Advanced features and integrations may require purchasing additional modules or plans.

Price and plans

For those who want to move away from the free forever plan, there are price plans depending on use-case as follows. There isn't a recruitment-specific hub option.

CRM suite

Starter: $15 per user, per month.

Professional: $450 per user, per month.

Enterprise: $1,500 per user, per month.

Marketing

Starter plan: Starts from $15 per user, per month.

Professional: Starts from $800 per user, per month

Enterprise: Starts from $3,600 per user, per month.

Sales

Starter: $15 per user, per month.

Professional: $90 per user, per month.

Enterprise: $150 per user, per month.

Customer service

Starter: $15 per user, per month.

Professional: $90 per user, per month

Enterprise: $130 per user, per month

Conclusion

Selecting the right CRM for your staffing agency can significantly impact your efficiency, candidate relationships, and overall success. Whether you’re a small agency just starting out or a large enterprise handling thousands of placements, there’s a CRM solution tailored to your needs.

More resources

• folk pricing

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