As with so many aspects of business, the recruitment process has evolved beyond recognition in the past three decades.
A relatively new addition to business software systems, recruiting software came to prominence in the 1990s, and has now become a major industry in its own right. More than just a C.V. database, these systems cover every aspect of the recruiting process, from finding candidates to hiring them.
Types of recruiting software
Recruiting software is often defined as any type of software that deals with some or all of the hiring process. Its functions fall into four general categories: Sourcing, Engagement, Selection and Hiring.
Sourcing is all about finding and attracting the prospective candidates, and is particularly useful for finding those who might not have seen particular job adverts. Then there is engagement – systems that ensure smooth and streamlined communication with candidates throughout the recruiting process. The selection process is where the software’s automation takes over some of the more time-consuming parts of the process, which is to screen and filter applicants through their qualifications, evaluations and assessments. Some recruiting software goes one step further and manages the actual hiring phase, streamlining the transition from candidate to employee.
The types of software available range from the systems used internally in human resources departments to recruitment agency software designed specifically for independent recruitment firms. Common functions include but aren’t limited to posting job vacancies, inputting and storing applicants’ CVs, interview details and placement details. In individual businesses, the software may link with other employee management systems, covering performance evaluation, career progression, payroll and compliance. Dedicated recruitment agency software will often function like a CRM system and feature a billing system for the agent’s clients.
Benefits of using recruiting software
Like all business systems, streamlining and automation frees up recruiters’ time to concentrate on conducting interviews and reviewing candidates. A single system that can be used by an entire team means that information can be accessed by any team member at any time, improving efficiency.
Besides the more obvious benefits that dedicated software brings, recruiting software can also ensure that the way you process your data is GDPR compliant. Functions like CRM can help recruiters build profiles of potential candidates, which give a more accurate target audience for marketing campaigns. A good relationship with candidates throughout the hiring process means a good candidate experience, and having the ability to search for relevant applicants and track and monitor their journey through the hiring process.
These are just a few of the functions that can be found in modern recruiting software. Strong and flexible systems have been developed to benefit the smallest internal recruitment team through to major recruitment agencies.
Whatever the size of your business or agency, having a strong and efficient recruitment system is essential if you want to attract and match talent to the right jobs. A robust recruitment system doesn’t just help with optimising your processes; it projects the professionalism of your business, too.
