REPORT

The CRM survival guide for TA leaders

Companies are pouring record amounts of money into Candidate Relationship Management tools to modernize recruiting—but most are seeing zero return on that investment.

By the numbers:

• 61%: Companies now spending more on their CRM than their Applicant Tracking System (ATS).

• 14%: The tiny fraction of teams actually fully adopting these tools.

• <33%: Buyers who are satisfied with their investment.

The big picture: A new report from Aptitude Research signals a critical shift: CRM is no longer just a marketing add-on—it is the foundational "operating model" for talent acquisition. Yet, a massive gap exists between spending and value.

• Adoption trap: Why most CRM implementations fail within 1-2 years—and how to avoid becoming shelfware

• AI vetting framework: How to separate real Agentic AI capabilities from vendor hype, with criteria for autonomy, explainability, and bias mitigation

• Pricing reality: How models are shifting from seat licenses to consumption-based—and why 68% of repeat buyers are seeing price hikes

• Vendor scorecards: Evaluate "recruiter enablement" rather than just feature lists, plus a sample RFP to guide your selection

Download to see how your CRM strategy stacks up →