An application tracking system (ATS) aids in the organisation of candidates for the purpose of hiring and recruitment. Businesses can use these systems to gather data, organise prospects based on their experience and skill set, and filter candidates.
An applicant tracking system is currently used by more than 90% of Fortune 500 companies. While these systems are great for keeping candidate data, the top ATS systems can also track all candidate communications.
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is a piece of software that helps you keep track of your whole hiring and recruitment process. It aids in the management of candidates and the reduction of time-to-fill. Using automated intelligence to search for the best, most qualified individuals, an application tracking system for recruiters simplifies the recruiting process.
To sort applicants, an ATS may apply varied levels of intelligence. The technologies range from keyword matching to algorithms that examine each candidate’s data in more depth. In response to a resume, the ATS may send the applicant a series of questions to learn more about them.
Table of Contents
The benefits of an ATS:
During the hiring process, applicant tracking systems make it simple for users to provide feedback and notes on a candidate. Some of these solutions offer collaboration from a mobile device, which is convenient for busy recruiters and hiring managers.
Recruiters and hiring managers may get all the information and data they need with a single click of a button using an applicant monitoring system. Robust, user-friendly dashboards and configurable processes with essential performance data and industry benchmarks are included in the top systems.
What Does an ATS Do?
To choose applicants, an ATS tracking system uses keywords and defined parameters, such as number of years of experience, listed skill sets, and other criteria that the organisation specifies. However, some applicant tracking systems are increasingly screening applications using more advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and natural language processing.
Many applicant tracking systems have the capability of automatically sifting through resumes and applications to identify which individuals should advance to the next
stage of the recruiting process. An application tracking system’s features are all geared to make the hiring process easier for both recruiters and candidates. Recruiters may engage with candidates more consistently thanks to built-in communication channels and automated email reminders, which makes candidates feel more connected and informed throughout the process.
What Is the Purpose of An Applicant Tracking System?
For all of the reasons stated previously, as well as more. You can perform more of the following after you have an applicant tracking system in place:
1. Save candidate details, as well as extensive notes and tags.
2. At any time, you can access feedback from colleagues (without chasing employees) 3. Use templates to keep candidates up to date at each level of the process. 4. Ensure that employee data is secure and GDPR compliant.
5. Get access to the most up-to-date research.
How do applicant track systems work?
Candidates are searching for simple and user-friendly application processes. The finest applicant tracking systems allow people to apply for jobs without having to log in from any device. As a result, businesses gain from a wider pool of applicants, who can then be automatically graded based on their talents and expertise.
During the hiring process, applicant tracking systems make it simple for users to provide feedback and notes on a candidate. Some of these solutions offer collaboration from a mobile device, which is convenient for busy recruiters and hiring managers.
Why employers use applicant tracking systems
Recruiters and hiring managers may stay organised and EEOC compliant by using applicant tracking tools to keep all of these resumes in one location. In theory, these technologies save time by discovering and identifying the best candidates automatically.
In actuality, application tracking systems (ATS) assist recruiting managers in narrowing their applicant pool, but top prospects sometimes fall through the cracks.
Why use an applicant tracking system?
Every company is different, yet they all rely on attracting, acquiring, and maximising top people. Many firms experience significant difficulties during the hiring or onboarding process. An applicant tracking system (ATS) can provide a number of benefits to an organisation, including the ability to locate, hire, and retain the finest individuals. The following are some of the advantages of using an ATS:
1. Boost candidate interest.
From the initial contact through the start date, moving a candidate through the process can be a high-touch process. Slow response times or insufficient engagement around interview schedules might make it all too easy to lose a top prospect. An application tracking system (ATS) provides improved visibility across the applicant lifecycle, ensuring that touchpoints are not missed.
2. Make the onboarding process more efficient.
The correct ATS may also help with onboarding, ensuring that candidates who take a job have all of the information they need to get started making an impact right away, boosting overall productivity and retention.
3. Increase efficiency while lowering expenses.
Applicants go slowly through the hiring process due to a reliance on inefficient manual processes, poor teamwork within the recruitment team, and miscommunication with key hiring stakeholders. As a result, the cost-to-hire and time-to-hire ratios are high. An applicant tracking system (ATS) allows you to automate tedious operations, provide your entire recruiting team more visibility into the hiring process, and improve communication throughout the candidate experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ATS used by every company?
Some firms do not employ an applicant tracking system (ATS), but their hiring process suffers as a result. Other businesses choose to rely solely on a CRM or an ATS. However, an ATS should ideally be designed to work in tandem with a CRM.
The hiring team will avoid mistakes, reduce the time to hire, lower the cost per employee, and increase the quality of the hires if the CRM and ATS are adjusted. Administrative work will be minimised and positions will be filled more quickly. Recruiters who utilise both an ATS and a CRM will have an advantage over their competition since they will be able to streamline the hiring process even further.
What Kinds of Businesses Make Use of an ATS?
While smaller businesses might get away with utilising spreadsheets or email for everything, SMEs almost always require an ATS to ensure they are well-positioned for development. That’s because a large number of candidates means there’s a chance that a lot of things will go missed. As a result, you’ll need a system that manages everything.
And you’ll need the data to figure out if you’re wasting your time on the wrong things. This means having the facts to back up every decision you make in a larger company. As well as the assurance that you’ll know which channels are the most effective and how to promote your job openings in front of the top prospects.
Is it possible to improve your company’s talent using an ATS?
Of course, because it can ensure that your jobs are seen by the right individuals in the right places at the right times, and that they have a positive experience from the moment they click ‘apply.’ This means you’ll have stronger applicants in your pipeline from the start, as well as a greater level of talent in your organisation and a talent management system.
The first step could be to implement an applicant tracking system. Learn more about how Personio can assist you today, or download one of our useful guides or whitepapers on digitising and streamlining any of your core HR procedures.
What Level is ATS?
As ATS is not a qualification, it does not have a level. However, the assessment statements for ATS have been informed by several sources that include Level 7 assessment criteria.