Time is your most valuable (and most limited) hiring resource. Whether you’re a solo HR manager, a hiring lead, or just trying to get a role filled quickly without recruiter fees—the right free tools can make all the difference.
Here’s a no-nonsense shortlist of free (or freemium) tools we use or recommend to help hiring teams:
🧠 1. ChatGPT
Use it for:
- CV summarising
- Screening criteria suggestions
- Writing personalised candidate outreach
- Creating scorecard templates or job ads
📌 Tip: Paste in a CV and prompt:
“Summarise this CV in bullet points: location, most relevant experience, salary expectations, red flags.”
📋 2. Jotform or Google Forms
Use it for:
- Pre-screening questions
- Application intake for hard-to-fill roles
- Eligibility checks (right to work, location, shift flexibility)
📌 Tip: Add knockout questions:
“Do you have the right to work in the UK?”
“What’s your expected salary?”
📂 3. Teal HQ (freemium CV organiser)
Use it for:
- Tracking applicants if you don’t have an ATS
- Creating shortlists and interview stages
- Keeping notes on candidate interactions
📌 Tip: Use tags like “Strong Maybe,” “Interviewed,” “Ghosted” to sort fast.
🧹 4. CV Parser Tools (e.g. Resumeworded, Skillate free trial)
Use it for:
- Extracting structured data from messy CVs
- Fast-skimming CVs with AI
- Spotting keyword matches vs your job description
📌 Tip: Even just one free trial can save you hours on a high-volume role.
📨 5. Gmail + Streak CRM (free tier)
Use it for:
- Pipeline-style visual tracking of candidates
- Send-and-track outreach emails
- Collaborating with hiring managers
📌 Tip: Set up stages like “Contacted,” “Interview Booked,” “Offer Sent.”
🗂️ 6. Canva (free version)
Use it for:
- Creating professional job ads
- Visual scorecards or hiring dashboards
- Employer branding for social posts
📌 Tip: Use branded templates to make your role stand out in a sea of boring black-and-white postings.
📱 7. WhatsApp Broadcast Lists
Use it for:
- Keeping candidates warm
- Sending last-minute interview reminders
- Checking availability quickly
📌 Tip: Candidates check WhatsApp faster than email—especially for shift-based or blue-collar roles.
💡 One More Tool: Us.
Let’s face it: even the best free tools won’t magically give you back 10 hours a week if you’re swamped.
We offer a Filtering + Engagement service that gives you:
✅ Fully screened candidates
✅ Warm, responsive shortlists
✅ No tech to manage
✅ No full recruiter fee
📩 Drop us a message or click here to try it on your next hire. It’s like having a recruiter—without the recruiter price tag.
