by James Baker
Automation is one of the most powerful tools in Bullhorn. The possibilities are huge - but that can also make it feel overwhelming. And let’s be honest, building automations isn’t always as straightforward as you think. Maybe you’re just getting started with Bullhorn Automation, or maybe you’ve tried it for a while but aren’t sure you’re following best practices. (I get it - you don’t know what you don’t know).
That’s where I come in. I’ve spent the past 16 years working in recruitment tech helping teams get the most from Bullhorn. Along the way, I’ve seen which automations deliver real value, and which ones just add noise.
Here are my top 5 automations every recruitment company should have running. If you don’t have these in place yet, they’re the perfect place to start.
What it does:
Automatically updates client statuses based on interactions such as placements, new jobs, client visits, and agreeing terms of business. Can also be paired with automations that manage record ownership.
Problem it solves:
Manual status updates are inconsistent and often forgotten, which leads to inaccurate pipeline reporting, missed opportunities to target the right people, and confusion around client ownership.
Benefit:
Ensures accurate CRM data for targeting and reporting, makes client ownership easier to manage internally, and allows consultants to focus on genuinely active prospects.
Problem it solves:
Incomplete candidate records cause delays during submissions and create compliance issues. Recruiters may collect information during screening but fail to enter it into Bullhorn.
Benefit:
Eliminates submission delays, ensures compliance documentation is complete, and guarantees that key candidate information is captured and stored correctly in Bullhorn.
What it does:
Alerts consultants 4-6 weeks before contract end dates, prompts renewal discussions, and if no extension is confirmed - starts by matching contractors to new opportunities and notifying other team members.
Problem it solves:
Contract end dates often slip through the cracks, leading to missed renewal opportunities. This is costly, since contract extensions are typically 10x more profitable than new placements. Contractors who aren’t renewed are also at risk of being poached by competitors.
Benefit:
Increases contractor retention, improves renewal rates, and prevents revenue loss from contractors moving to competitor agencies.
What it does:
Manages communication during notice periods, automatically updates candidate records with new job details (title, company, salary, skills, industry), and sets follow-up reminders for placement aftercare.
Problem it solves:
Notice periods are vulnerable times when placements can fall through. Manual updates to candidate records are often forgotten, leaving data incomplete and making future searches less effective.
Benefit:
Reduces placement fall-through rates, ensures candidate records remain up to date, and supports better future matching.
What it does:
Alerts managers when jobs are older than one week with no candidate submissions, and separately tracks jobs with submissions but no client feedback after 72 hours.
Problem it solves:
Stale jobs harm client relationships. Jobs with submissions but no feedback often mean candidates are moving forward with other opportunities while you wait.
Why it helps:
Keeps jobs active, ensures timely client engagement, and prevents lost placements due to slow client response times.
Next steps...Getting these basics right will free up your team’s time, make your processes smoother, and create a better experience for candidates and clients. But every business is different - the automations that make sense for one agency might not be the ones you need most. That’s why the best way to get started is with a free system taste test. I’ll take a look at your Bullhorn setup, uncover where automation can have the biggest impact, and share tailored recommendations for your business. |