10 Best Candidate Sourcing Software List
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 20 tools reviewed.
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There are seemingly countless candidate sourcing software solutions available, so figuring out which is best for you is tough. You want to utilizes advanced search algorithms and databases to scan various platforms, including job boards, social media, and professional networks, to find candidates who match specific job requirements—but now need to figure out which tool is the best fit. In this post, I make things simple, leveraging my experience as an HR expert and using dozens of different candidate sourcing tools to bring you this shortlist of the best candidate sourcing software overall.
What is Candidate Sourcing Software?
Candidate sourcing software is a specialized tool used in recruitment to identify and attract potential job candidates. It automates the process of searching for candidates by using advanced algorithms to scan various online platforms, such as job boards, social media, and professional networks. This software is designed to find individuals who match specific job criteria, thereby streamlining the recruitment process.
Candidate sourcing tools enable recruiters and hiring managers to efficiently build a pool of qualified candidates, reducing the time and effort typically required in the initial stages of sourcing. By leveraging this technology, organizations can enhance their recruitment strategy, improve the quality of their candidate pool, and expedite the hiring process.
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Deel
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8 -
Rippling
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8 -
ClearCompany
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.6
Overviews Of The 10 Best Candidate Sourcing Software
Here’s a brief description of each candidate sourcing software that made my top 10 list, plus 10 additional software selections below. For my top 10 choices, I’ve highlighted each tool’s best use case, plus some noteworthy features, and screenshots to show you their user interface.
Manatal
Advanced ATS with AI-generated candidate scores and recommendations
Manatal’s full-feature applicant tracking system (ATS) simplifies the recruitment process through AI-driven recommendations, job portal integrations and easy-to-manage talent pipelines. Key candidate sourcing features include a Chrome extension for LinkedIn that makes it easy to parse public information and add it to candidate profiles, and the ability to centralize all job applications into kanban-style boards. Their system also integrates directly to thousands of free and premium job posting boards, making it easy to advertise job openings.
To speed up the candidate screening process, Manatal’s AI framework scans job descriptions to extract the core skills and other requirements for each position. Its recommendation algorithm then quickly cross-references the data with candidates in your talent pools to highlight applicants with the closest match. The system also allots a score to each candidate, to make comparing candidates more objective. To improve candidate sourcing for advanced positions, Boolean candidate searching is also an option.
Manatal integrates with LinkedIn, Gmail, Outlook, Mailchimp, and other platforms. They also have an open API to support customized integrations, and a full-feature mobile app.
Pricing for Manatal starts at $15 USD/user/month. A free demo and 14-day free trial can also be requested via their website.
Recruit CRM serves as an all-in-one solution tailored for the recruitment industry, enabling agencies to manage candidates, clients, and internal team activities seamlessly. This platform combines robust applicant tracking systems with client relationship management features to simplify daily tasks and improve productivity.
Recruit CRM shines as a talent acquisition software by seamlessly integrating robust applicant tracking system (ATS) and customer relationship management (CRM) functionalities, making it an invaluable asset for recruiters. The ATS component is particularly adept at managing vast amounts of candidate data, from initial application to final hiring stages, ensuring a streamlined tracking process that reduces the likelihood of high-quality candidates slipping through the cracks. The CRM features enhance relationship management, allowing recruiters to build and maintain strong connections with both candidates and clients.
Recruit CRM offers a variety of features to enhance recruitment processes, including applicant tracking system capabilities, customer relationship management tools, and job board integrations. It allows users to automate workflows, manage candidate pipelines, and generate detailed analytics and reports. The software also supports email and calendar synchronization, offers a mobile app for on-the-go access, and provides tools for team collaboration and communication.
Recruit CRM integrates natively with several tools to streamline recruitment activities. These integrations include LinkedIn, Gmail, Outlook, Zapier, QuickBooks, Xero, Twilio, RingCentral, Mailchimp, and Google Calendar. These connections help users efficiently manage communications, accounting, marketing campaigns, and scheduling directly from the platform.
Recruit CRM offers multiple pricing tiers starting from $69 per user per month.
ClearCompany is a talent management software that provides solutions for applicant tracking, onboarding, employee engagement, performance management, and analytics. It serves various industries and leverages AI to help optimize the recruitment process, allowing teams to focus their efforts on areas that need more attention.
ClearCompany stands out with its robust features that enhance the recruitment process. Its AI-powered Applicant Tracking System (ATS) not only automates repetitive tasks but also optimizes job postings, prioritizes high-potential candidates, and automates outreach with personalized communications. ClearCompany's vast global talent pool of over 800 million professionals, along with integrations with LinkedIn, Indeed, and JobTarget, ensures a comprehensive sourcing capability. Additionally, the platform offers AI-driven candidate match recommendations and automated recruiting campaigns.
ClearCompany integrates with ADP Workforce Now, LinkedIn, Indeed, UKG Pro, Paylocity, Checkr, EZ Screen Solutions, Rectxt, Absorb LMS, CompetencyCore, Thomas International, The Predictive Index, and Proliant.
Pricing begins from $60/user/month.
JazzHR is a recruiting software that offers transparent pricing and flexible add-on features to cater to the needs of various business sizes. The software simplifies the process of finding and attracting qualified candidates, offers customizable options for managing and screening candidates, and allows for easy job posting on multiple platforms.
Along with these features, JazzHR stands out for its customizable recruiting solutions, user-friendly interface, and ability to adapt to the specific needs of different companies. It offers a wide range of capabilities, team collaboration options, and affordable pricing that can be tailored to fit the unique requirements of any organization.
JazzHR offers a range of features including job posting and syndication, candidate texting, offers and eSignatures, advanced visual reporting, all access support, and Zoom integration. The software is customizable, integrates with Google calendars, and provides collaboration tools, making it suitable for businesses of all sizes. Additionally, JazzHR supports mobile access for candidate screening and integrates with various HR technologies.
Integrations include LinkedIn Recruiter, Monster, CareerBuilder, JobTarget, Resume-Library, BambooHR, Gusto, and Paychex.
Pricing for JazzHR starts at $75/month. Users receive 3 active jobs to start, and can add more jobs for $9/job/month. A 14-day free trial and free demo are available.
PowerToFly is a DEIB business suite that helps you source, recruit and manage the best talent while ensuring you develop and maintain a diverse and inclusive workplace. The platform offers a unique combination of talent management tools and on-demand DEIB training resources.
I picked PowerToFly because of how they've set up the platform. The DEIB Business Suite includes two products: Power Pro and Power Up. Power Pro is the candidate-facing product of this suite that lets you communicate with applicants and source talent. This will allow you to build a landing page where people can see your open positions, track recruitment processes in dashboards, and search through a pool of talent.
The feature you will be more interested in is Candidate Search. This allows you to search through a global pool of talent and apply advanced filters to narrow down your search. Among the filters you can use are the candidate's current position, skills, and diversity filters like gender, ethnicity, community groups, and generalized identity.
Another feature I like is the job posting wizard which lets you quickly create inclusive job postings using templates. All you need to do is select the template that best matches the position you are looking for and fill out a couple of job-specific information.
Definitely, a tool to consider if you are looking to build a more inclusive and equitable company and culture.
SeekOut
Sophisticated candidate sourcing software, well-suited for technical or expert-level positions
SeekOut’s Talent 360 recruiting platform includes sophisticated features to enrich the hiring process. Their software can aggregate candidate data from multiple sources to form unified candidate profiles with rich details. Like many other platforms in this list, their candidate search function is also backed by an advanced AI framework that incorporates machine learning techniques with Boolean searching and candidate filters. They also have dedicated tools to improve diversity during the hiring process by incorporating highly qualified minority candidates.
Beyond all that, Talent 360 is a valuable candidate screening tool for technical and expert-level positions, in particular. Their system sources candidates from 707M+ public profiles, with 29M+ developer profiles based on candidates’ GitHub activities related to developer programming languages. As well, their platform has aggregated 96M+ candidates profiles with deep subject matter expertise based on information like patents in their name, conference presentations, published papers, and how frequently they are cited among research papers. Talent 360 also has a roster of candidates with verified security clearances for filling roles in government, aerospace, defense and intelligence.
Talent 360 integrates with 20+ common applicant tracking systems, including Phenom People, Taleo, Workday, Talemetry, Jobvite, Gr8People, Crelate, RecruiterFlow, TrackTalents and others.
Pricing details for Talent 360 are not readily available, though a free demo can be requested via their website.
Yello
Candidate sourcing software with tools for talent rediscovery and nurturing passive talent
Yello’s recruiting software makes it easy to source qualified candidates by automating candidate scanning from many sources, and importing the data directly into Yello. Their tool filters information from sites like LinkedIn and DAXTRA boards, and centralizes the top-matching candidate profiles into Yello’s system. This also helps reduce job board license costs, since the integrations are already part of their software package.
Yello’s recruiting software has several interesting features to enrich the candidate sourcing process. To help hiring teams stay proactive, their system enables passive talent management through personalized nurture campaigns. This allows recruiters to cultivate top talent for future roles even before the job postings are live. Their talent rediscovery and recapture tools also help uncover talent that got lost in the shuffle of hiring processes, and initiate personalized re-engagement campaigns with them.
Other classic features worth mentioning are their advanced candidate search and filters, pipeline visualizations, and candidate engagement metrics. Their source channel tracking information is useful as it highlights which candidate sources are the most fruitful for your cause. In addition, their platform includes other insightful metrics and reporting functions too.
Yello integrates with all major applicant tracking systems (ATS), including Taleo, Workday, iCIMS, SAP SuccessFactors, Greenhouse, ADP, Kenexa and Lever. To improve pre-employment candidate testing, they also integrate with assessment providers such as HireVue, SHL, Pymetrics, Saville Assessment, and Cappfinity.
Pricing details for Yello are not readily available, though you can request a free demo via their website.
Sophisticated talent intelligence platform including a talent rediscovery tool that supports internal mobility
Eightfold’s Talent Intelligence Platform has a comprehensive set of tools to help teams hire, retain and grow their talent. Included in their software are tools to help with talent acquisition, potential candidate screening, candidate experience features, and talent management features to retain existing staff.
Eightfold’s sourcing tool starts with internal talent rediscovery first, to identify any existing employees who’d be a great fit for that role. This is a great feature as options for internal mobility are an important aspect of addressing employee retention. Their whole system is built on top of a deep AI learning structure. In their words, that means their software “uses neural networks that learn from 1 billion+ profiles, billions of global data points, and 1 million+ unique skills, to deliver bias-free, data-driven insights.”
Specific software integration details are not included on Eightfold’s website. However, customers will have access to an implementation services support team that can configure the system to work with the tools you’re currently using.
Pricing details for Eightfold are not readily available, though you can request a free demo via their website.
Gem
Comprehensive talent acquisition software including insightful forecasting tools and a talent CRM
Gem’s comprehensive talent acquisition software includes features that address the full talent lifecycle. Their all-in-one system pairs sourcing tools with user-friendly talent pipelines, and a Talent CRM (candidate relationship management) module. All these features are further augmented by their Talent Compass module, which helps teams review their recruiting flow, visualize their KPIs (key performance indicators), forecast for future hiring needs, and understand other valuable insights about their recruiting process end-to-end.
To streamline candidate sourcing, Gem integrates data from multiple sources into one platform where you can automate and personalize the next steps. This makes it easy to aggregate candidate data from external sources like LinkedIn, Indeed, GitHub, Greenhouse, Facebook, and other platforms into one single source of applicant information. You can also use it to centralize all your communications with applicants, including sending SMS text messages.
Gem integrates with common applicant tracking systems, as well as LinkedIn, Facebook, GitHub, SeekOut and SmartRecruiters.
Pricing details for Gem are not readily available, though you can request a free demo via their website. They also offer a free version for startup companies with less than 15 employees.
Visage
Global recruiting platform that blends human sourcing expertise with AI-powered candidate sourcing recommendations
Visage’s candidate recruiting platform merges AI-powered sourcing with additional human intelligence through their team of sourcing experts. While their AI framework constantly learns and works to eliminate bias, their expert sourcers work behind the scenes to ensure candidates are sourced, vetted, matched and delivered efficiently. Currently, Visage has over 4,000 certified sourcers working around the globe who are available around the clock, every day of the week.
Automations and engagement features are also well integrated into Visage’s recruiting software. Teams can set up automated email sequences to run with a few clicks, to ensure no candidates are left wondering. The system also includes fully customizable email templates to save time on outreach efforts. Recruiting teams will also appreciate their collaborative hiring features like profile sharing and notes, and clear workflow views of all candidate communications to date. As well, their predictive analytics allow teams to anticipate future sourcing needs so they can build talent pipelines in advance.
Visage has designated integrations with SmartRecruiters and Avature, two commonly used applicant tracking systems.
Pricing details for Visage are not readily available, though a free demo and free trial can be requested via their website.
The 10 Best Candidate Sourcing Software Summary
Tools | Price | |
---|---|---|
Manatal | From $15/user/month | Website |
Recruit CRM | From $50/user/month | Website |
ClearCompany | Pricing upon request | Website |
JazzHR | From $75/month (billed monthly or annually) | Website |
PowerToFly | Pricing upon request | Website |
SeekOut | Pricing upon request | Website |
Yello | Pricing upon request | Website |
Eightfold | Pricing upon request | Website |
Gem | Pricing upon request | Website |
Visage | Pricing upon request | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareOther Candidate Sourcing Options
Here are a few more options that didn’t make the best candidate sourcing software list:
Comparison Criteria
Wondering what I look for when selecting the best candidate sourcing software? Here’s a summary of my evaluation criteria:
- User Interface (UI): I prefer software with a clean and colourful interface that makes the software enjoyable to use.
- Usability: I prioritize software that’s simple and easy-to-use, with information clearly organized and easily accessible (i.e., no endless clicking or scrolling to find what I need).
- Integrations: To maximize productivity, I prioritize systems that integrate with other software such as applicant tracking systems, communication tools, or digital calendars.
- Value for $: While I always appreciate software with transparent pricing structures, those details are not always readily available. Instead, pricing is often customized based on the volume of recruiting, job postings, or system users.
Candidate Sourcing Software: Key Features
Here’s a summary of the key features you can expect to find in the best candidate sourcing tools:
- Talent pools and pipelines: A talent pool is a roster of potential candidates for each position, whereas a talent pipeline is the visualization tool that tracks where each candidate is in the recruiting process.
- Direct integrations with job boards & social network sites: The exact number of sites will vary with each platform, but candidate sourcing tools automatically scour candidate repositories like LinkedIn, GitHub, StackOverflow and many others to find top-matching candidates. Through these integrated networks, some sourcing tools give recruiters access to millions of candidate profiles.
- Advanced talent discovery tools: This includes features like talent rediscovery and recapture, which looks inward to find existing employees who have the required skills for a new position. This category also includes advanced searching capabilities (Boolean + Semantic), dedicated candidate diversity tools, and artificial intelligence (AI) that helps source and rank candidates for each position.
- Rich candidate profiles: Sourcing tools combine data from many sources to provide hiring teams with as much detail as possible about each candidate. This category also includes other features like resume parsing tools that scan resume contents and populate candidate databases automatically.
- Workflow automations: This includes features like automated candidate searches based on key criteria, automated candidate scoring, and talent pools or long lists of candidates that are auto-generated.
- Customizable templates: This goes hand-in-hand with automations, but most sourcing tools have templates for candidate communications that can be customized and set to run in predetermined email sequences, saving recruiters lots of time.
- Advanced metrics: This includes data on candidate sourcing (which sources are the most fruitful or lagging), candidate engagement, candidate diversity, and predictive analytics for future hiring needs.
How Does Artificial Intelligence Support Candidate Sourcing?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a welcome addition to many candidate sourcing software platforms. AI supports the process by flagging job-related skills in job descriptions and searching the web for candidate profiles that match. Traditionally, this was a very time-consuming manual process that recruiters spent hours undertaking. Now, with AI, they can upload the parameters and let the sourcing software generate the list while they focus on other tasks. AI also helps reduce unconscious biases by adhering strictly to skill-based screening protocols.
AI also goes hand-in-hand with workflow automations - another time-saving feature. For example, AI-based tools like chatbots help create a positive candidate experience by managing candidate communications. Recent research indicates that recruiters using AI find it most helpful for: sourcing candidates (58%), screening candidates (56%), and nurturing candidates (55%).
Related Read: How Contact Management Software Can Benefit Your Business
Other AI-related statistics:
If you’re still curious about how AI has infiltrated the recruitment market, you might find these statistics interesting:
- 80% of executives believe AI improves performance and productivity
- 35% of talent professionals report that AI is the top trend influencing how they hire
- 38% of organizations are increasing their efforts to use AI for talent acquisition
- Data has shown that the cost of recruiting per role decreased by 75% due to AI-powered recruiting, and employee turnover reduced by 35%.
What Are Passive Candidates?
Passive candidates are professionals who aren't necessarily even looking for a job. Yet, they may have the exact skills and experience you're looking for. Even though these individuals are already employed, they may still show interest in a new career opportunity. This is especially true if they appear to have plateaued in their current role.
Sourcing tools identify these individuals by searching public candidate profile sites. Often using the power of AI, these tools match job requirements with overt skills mentioned in candidate profiles.
What Is Internal Mobility And Why Is It Important?
Internal mobility describes the ability for employees to change positions within an organization. Upward mobility (or vertical mobility) describes an employee moving up to a more advanced level. Lateral mobility (or horizontal mobility) is when an employee changes positions within an organization, but not levels. For example, a manager may receive a lateral position change to manage a different department, but still at the same technical level.
Many candidate sourcing systems automatically assess existing staff for internal mobility opportunities. This increases employee retention as staff who have opportunities to advance are more likely to stay with the company.
Related Read: HR Software: What It Costs And How To Decide What’s Best For Your Company
Additional Resources
I hope this article gave you a greater understanding of how candidate sourcing tools can support and advance your recruitment efforts.
If you’re interested in other software recommendations to help your recruiting team, take a look at our lists of the best recruiting software and best applicant tracking systems for small businesses too.
You may also benefit from some tips on How to Manage the Candidate Experience Through Rapid Scaling, especially if your business is in a period of rapid growth.
If you’re up to your eyeballs in applicants and need extra help, you may want to enlist some outside help. Here’s our list of 7 Recruitment Process Outsourcing Companies & Benefits to get you started.
Last but not least, before you go, it’d be great if you took a moment to subscribe to our People Managing People newsletter. By signing up, you’ll gain access to the latest articles covering a whole range of HR-related topics.
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