Top Talent Acquisition Tools

Deepti Chopra -

The world of HR and talent acquisition is constantly evolving, and with so many tools and technologies available, it can be overwhelming to determine which ones are worth investing in. That's why we've compiled a list of the top HR and talent acquisition tools that can help streamline your processes and take your recruitment strategy to the next level.

From applicant tracking systems and employee onboarding software to performance management and employee engagement tools, this list has something for every HR professional. Whether you're a small business owner looking for a comprehensive HR solution or a large corporation searching for specialized tools to support your recruitment efforts, you'll find a tool on this list that meets your needs.

But first, let's define what we mean by HR and talent acquisition tools. HR tools are software solutions that help HR professionals manage and optimize various HR processes, such as payroll, benefits, and performance management. Talent acquisition tools, on the other hand, are specifically designed to support the recruitment and hiring process, from job posting and applicant tracking to candidate sourcing and onboarding.

Best talent acquisition tools

Now that you have a better understanding of what these tools do, let's dive in.

We've divided the list into the following categories:

  • Candidate Sourcing
  • Candidate Assessment
  • Email Harvesting
  • Applicant Tracking
  • Employee Referral
  • Video Interviewing
  • Background Checks
  • Onboarding
  • Performance Tracking
  • People Analytics
  • Personnel Management
  • Employee Engagement
  • Payroll and Benefits

Candidate sourcing tools

Intro

Candidate sourcing tools are technologies that help organizations identify, attract, and engage potential job candidates. These tools can be used to find candidates through various channels, such as job boards, social media, employee referral programs, and resume databases.

Features

  • Job posting and advertising: These tools allow companies to post job openings to various job boards and social media platforms, as well as target specific groups of candidates through targeted advertising campaigns.
  • Resume databases: Many candidate sourcing tools have access to large databases of resumes and CVs, which can be searched and filtered to find candidates with specific skills, experiences, and qualifications.
  • Candidate tracking and communication: These tools allow companies to track the progress of candidates through the recruitment process, as well as communicate with them through email, text, or other messaging platforms.
  • Referral programs: Some candidate sourcing tools have built-in referral programs, which allow employees to refer their friends and colleagues for open positions and earn rewards for successful referrals.
  • Boolean search: This feature allows users to build complex search queries using Boolean operators (e.g. AND, OR, NOT) to find specific candidates in resume databases or on the web.
  • Talent pools: This feature allows users to create and manage pools of candidates who have expressed interest in working for the company, but may not be a fit for a specific open position at the moment. This can be a useful way to build a pipeline of potential candidates for future openings.
  • Collaboration tools: Some candidate sourcing tools have built-in collaboration tools, such as comment threads or project management features, which can be useful for teams working together on recruitment efforts.
  • Integration with other HR systems: It can be useful for candidate sourcing tools to integrate with other HR systems, such as applicant tracking systems or HRIS, to streamline the recruitment process and avoid duplication of effort.
  • Mobile app: A mobile app can be a convenient way for recruiters to manage their candidate sourcing efforts while on the go.

Tool recommendations

  1. LinkedIn Recruiter

Candidate assessment tools

Intro

Candidate assessment tools are software or online platforms that are used to evaluate job candidates during the hiring process. These tools can help companies identify the candidates who are most qualified and likely to be successful in a particular role.

There are many different types of candidate assessment tools, including:

  1. Skills tests: These assess a candidate's knowledge and abilities in a specific area, such as coding or data analysis.
  2. Aptitude tests: These assess a candidate's ability to learn new skills and adapt to new situations.
  3. Personality tests: These assess a candidate's personality traits and how they might fit into a company's culture.
  4. Work sample tests: These ask candidates to complete a task or project that is similar to what they would be doing in the job.

Features

A good candidate assessment platform should have a range of features to help companies effectively evaluate job candidates. Some key features to look for in a candidate assessment platform include:

  1. Customization: The ability to tailor the assessment process to a specific role or job requirements.
  2. Automation: The ability to automate parts of the assessment process, such as scheduling and sending tests to candidates.
  3. Reporting: The ability to generate detailed reports on candidates' test results and other assessment data.
  4. Integration: The ability to integrate with other HR systems, such as applicant tracking systems or performance management platforms.
  5. Security: Measures to ensure the security and confidentiality of candidates' personal and assessment data.
  6. User-friendliness: An intuitive and easy-to-use interface for both administrators and candidates.
  7. Scalability: The ability to handle a large volume of candidates and assessments as the company grows.
  8. Support: Access to support resources, such as documentation, training materials, and customer support, to help companies get the most out of the platform.

Tool recommendations

  1. Adaface
  2. Pymetrics

Application Tracking Systems tools

Intro

Applicant tracking tools (also known as applicant tracking systems or ATS) are software platforms that are used by companies to manage and streamline their recruitment process.

Features

Some key features of applicant tracking tools include:

  1. Job posting: The ability to post job openings on a company's website or external job boards.
  2. Resume parsing: The ability to extract information from resumes and input it into the system in a consistent format.
  3. Candidate communication: Tools for communicating with candidates, such as email templates.
  4. Candidate tracking: The ability to track the progress of candidates through the recruitment process and see where they are in the process.
  5. Reporting: The ability to generate reports on the recruitment process, such as the number of applicants, the source of the applicants, and the status of the applicants.

Tool recommendations

  1. Workable
  2. Lever
  3. Recruiterflow

Employee referral tools

Intro

Employee referral tools are software or online platforms that are used by companies to manage and track employee referrals for job openings. These tools can help companies identify and hire top talent through their own employees, as employees often have connections to qualified candidates in their professional networks.

Features

Employee referral tools typically include features such as:

  1. A referral portal: A platform where employees can view and apply for open positions, as well as refer friends and colleagues for open positions.
  2. Referral tracking: The ability to track the progress of referred candidates through the recruitment process and see where they are in the process.
  3. Incentive tracking: The ability to track and manage referral bonuses or other incentives for employees who make successful referrals.
  4. Reporting: The ability to generate reports on the employee referral program, such as the number of referrals, the source of the referrals, and the status of the referred candidates.
  5. Customization: The ability to tailor the referral process to a company's specific needs and preferences.
  6. Integration: The ability to integrate with other HR systems, such as applicant tracking systems or performance management platforms.
  7. Communication: Tools for communicating with employees about the referral program, such as email templates and announcement boards.
  8. Gamification: The use of game-like elements, such as leaderboards or rewards, to encourage employee participation in the referral program.
  9. Support: Access to support resources, such as documentation, training materials, and customer support, to help companies get the most out of the platform.

Tool recommendations

  1. Workable
  2. Teamable

Video interviewing tools

Video interviewing tools are software or online platforms that allow companies to conduct job interviews over video conferencing. These tools are often used as a way to screen candidates remotely and efficiently, and can help companies save time and money on in-person interviews.

Features

Some key features of video interviewing tools include:

  1. Scheduling: The ability to schedule video interviews with candidates at a time that is convenient for both parties.
  2. Video conferencing: A platform for conducting the video interview, with features such as screen sharing, video recording, and multiple participant support.
  3. Question management: Tools for creating and managing a list of interview questions, and for tracking the answers given by candidates.
  4. Evaluation: Features for evaluating candidates based on their responses to the interview questions, including the ability to take notes and provide feedback.
  5. Reporting: The ability to generate reports on the video interviewing process, such as the number of candidates interviewed and the results of the evaluations.

Tool recommendations

  1. Workable
  2. HireVue

Background check tools

Intro

Background check tools are software or online platforms that allow companies to conduct background checks on job candidates. These tools can help companies verify the accuracy of information provided by candidates on their resumes and application forms, and can also help companies identify potential risks or red flags in a candidate's background.

Features

Background check tools typically include features such as:

  1. Verification of personal information: The ability to verify a candidate's name, address, and other personal details.
  2. Criminal records check: The ability to search criminal records databases to check for any past arrests or convictions.
  3. Employment verification: The ability to verify a candidate's past employment history and job titles.
  4. Education verification: The ability to verify a candidate's educational background and degrees earned.
  5. Professional license verification: The ability to verify that a candidate holds any necessary professional licenses or certifications.
  6. Drug testing: The ability to conduct drug tests as part of the background check process.

Tool recommendations

  1. Harver
  2. Checkr

Employee onboarding tools

Intro

Employee onboarding tools are software or online platforms that are used by companies to streamline and automate their employee onboarding process. These tools help companies introduce new hires to the company and get them up to speed on policies, procedures, and other important information.

Features

Some key features of employee onboarding tools include:

  1. New hire paperwork: The ability to electronically transmit and track new hire paperwork, such as employment agreements and benefits enrollment forms.
  2. Onboarding tasks: A list of tasks and activities that need to be completed during the onboarding process, such as training sessions or orientation meetings.
  3. Learning management: Tools for delivering and tracking employee training and development activities.
  4. Policy management: A central location for storing and accessing company policies and procedures.
  5. Communication: Tools for facilitating communication between new hires and their managers or other team members.
  6. Reporting: The ability to generate reports on the onboarding process, such as the status of tasks and the progress of new hires.

Using an employee onboarding tool can help companies efficiently and effectively onboard new hires and get them up to speed on their roles and responsibilities.

Tool recommendations

  1. BambooHR
  2. Rippling
  3. Continu

Performance tracking tools

Intro

Performance tracking tools are software or online platforms that are used by companies to monitor and evaluate the performance of their employees. These tools can help companies track and measure key performance indicators (KPIs), set performance goals, and provide feedback to employees on their progress.

Features

Some key features of performance tracking tools include:

  1. KPI tracking: The ability to track and measure key performance indicators, such as sales volume or customer satisfaction.
  2. Goal setting: Tools for setting and tracking performance goals for individual employees or teams.
  3. Feedback and reviews: Features for providing feedback and conducting performance reviews with employees.
  4. Collaboration: Tools for facilitating communication and collaboration among employees, such as discussion forums or document sharing.
  5. Reporting: The ability to generate reports on employee performance, such as progress towards goals or trends in KPI data.

Using a performance tracking tool can help companies monitor and improve the performance of their employees, and can also help employees track their own progress and identify areas for improvement.

Tool recommendations

  1. Leapsome
  2. eden

Personnel management tools

Intro

Personnel management tools are software or online platforms that are used by companies to manage and organize employee information and HR processes. These tools can help companies streamline and automate a range of HR tasks, including payroll, benefits administration, and employee onboarding.

Features

Some key features of personnel management tools include:

  1. Employee database: A central location for storing and accessing employee information, such as contact details, job titles, and salaries.
  2. Payroll: Tools for managing employee pay, including time tracking, tax calculations, and pay stub generation.
  3. Benefits administration: Features for managing employee benefits, such as enrollment and changes to coverage.
  4. Time and attendance tracking: Tools for tracking employee attendance and hours worked.
  5. Performance tracking: Features for evaluating and improving employee performance, such as goal setting and feedback tools.
  6. Onboarding: Tools for introducing new hires to the company and getting them up to speed on policies and procedures.

Tool recommendations

  1. Monday.com
  2. Rippling

Employee engagement tools

Intro

Employee engagement tools are software or online platforms that are used by companies to measure and improve the engagement of their employees. These tools can help companies identify factors that contribute to employee engagement, such as job satisfaction and recognition, and can also help companies implement strategies to improve engagement.

Features

Some key features of employee engagement tools include:

  1. Surveys: Tools for conducting surveys to measure employee engagement and gather feedback from employees.
  2. Analytics: The ability to analyze survey results and identify trends or areas for improvement.
  3. Communication: Features for facilitating communication between employees and management, such as discussion forums or feedback channels.
  4. Recognition and rewards: Tools for recognizing and rewarding employees for their contributions to the company.
  5. Collaboration: Features for facilitating collaboration among employees, such as project management tools or document sharing.
  6. Employee portal: A central location for accessing company resources, such as policies and procedures, and for connecting with colleagues.

Tool recommendations

  1. 6Q
  2. Fond

Payroll and benefits tools

Intro

Payroll and benefits tools are software or online platforms that are used by companies to manage and automate their payroll and benefits processes. These tools can help companies efficiently process employee pay, calculate taxes, and administer employee benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.

Features

Some key features of payroll and benefits tools include:

  1. Payroll processing: The ability to calculate employee pay, including salary, bonuses, and deductions for taxes and benefits.
  2. Time tracking: Tools for tracking employee attendance and hours worked.
  3. Tax calculation: Features for calculating and withholding taxes from employee pay.
  4. Benefits enrollment: Tools for managing employee benefits, such as health insurance and retirement plans, including enrollment and changes to coverage.
  5. Pay stub generation: The ability to generate and distribute pay stubs to employees.
  6. Reporting: The ability to generate reports on payroll and benefits data, such as employee pay and benefits enrollment.

Tool recommendations

  1. Gusto
  2. Wave Payroll