Don’t start shopping for a new CRM unless you have followed these 3 golden rules

What’s holding you back from taking your rec firm to the next level? There’s a missing piece to your plan if you’re not working to future-proof your business. The Access Group explains.

You’re either strategising or lagging behind. Think ahead, and buy a solution built to help you grow. Whether you’re building or re-evaluating your tech stack, you must start with these 3 golden rules:

#1 Define the “why” and build an RFI

The desire to find a recruitment system that can do everything is an easy trap to fall into.

Don’t get caught up with shiny new toys on the market and all the possibilities new Tech tools can offer.

Before you start shopping, get organised Build a feature checklist or an RFI (Request For Information).

This keeps your CRM evaluation focused.

Considerations:

• What business outcomes are you hoping to achieve?

• If you’re looking to change systems, why now?

• What processes are you looking to improve?

• Which features are an absolute "must" for your daily rec operations?

#2 Assess overall product and business fit

As a recruiter, we know that a good candidate and client fit is critical.

Your recruitment CRM should effectively balance your business goal and customer needs while accounting for long-term growth and profitability

Any evaluation process starts with due diligence.

Here are some “don’ts” before you get to the “dos”:

• Check reputable recruitment or software publications for CRMs with a good name.

• Research the vendor’s featured customers.

• Take time to run vendor’s names past some software review sites.

• Go through some testimonials available on the vendor’s website and social media.

#3 Be aware of feature gaps: Inclusion vs. Integration

Many CRMs push a heap of integrations with their product.

You might think that the right combination of add-ons could create the perfect platform. A solid platform won’t leave feature gaps like this, only to ask the buyer to make up for it with add-ons.

To have the basics covered, the best recruitment CRM would have:

• Analytics: reporting and dashboards within the same platform

• Video interviewing: increased digitisation means more tech in recruiting

• Automation: loads of repetitive workflows that can be streamlined and automated at scale.

Interested to learn more rules on choosing the right tech for your business, including contract traps to avoid, and more need-to-know insider tips?

Grab a copy of the CRM Buyer’s Guide for Recruiters now.