Employers who have no idea what an applicant tracking system (ATS) is are missing out. It is a modern recruitment tool used to look for the right applicants for the job. Those who use ATS can attract, recognize, and recruit the top applicants quickly. While those who don’t will undoubtedly fall short of their hiring goals.
An effective recruitment strategy means recruiters can spend more time interacting with applicants. You can do this if you put in place simpler and more agile processes in the company.
Using an ATS helps you do more in a small amount of time. Whether you’ve used one before or want to in the future, this article will help you find the right one for you.
What is Applicant Tracking System?
An applicant tracking system, or ATS, serves as a database for job seekers. Companies can use ATS UK to categorize, search for, and interact with large applicant pools.
The tool’s primary goal is to simplify things for hiring managers and recruiters. These people would need to fill many vacancies at once. They need to review hundreds or even thousands of applications, which isn’t practical.
With ATS software at your disposal, recruitment processes have never been simpler. This saves you a lot of time to do other tasks and reduces human error in your hiring process.
What Can an Applicant Tracking System Do for Your Business?
Applicant tracking systems keep track of various applicants as they move through the hiring process. They have a built-in notification system to alert recruiters of oncoming applications. They also allow planning and arranging of application submissions.
But applicant tracking system software is much more than just an organizer. Here are other ways that ATS software can help your business.
Streamlines Administrative Work
ATS software helps speed up the hiring process and saves a lot of time for other tasks. You can put an end to posting job listings and sending follow-up emails manually. With an ATS, you can do more with just a few clicks.
Helps You Look for the Right Applicant
It’s almost impossible to find the right person for the job without looking into their resumes one at a time. But ATS can filter out job seekers applying for a position and find the one you’re looking for.
It uses an algorithm to match applicants to the requirements you specify for the job. Those that don’t fit your standards are rejected, and the rest are rated based on qualification indicators.
By doing this, recruiters avoid spending time on unqualified candidates and being too worn out to recognize good profiles. You’re also improving candidates’ experiences, which is important during the hiring process.
Makes Collaborative Hiring Possible
Collaborative hiring is an important aspect of a successful recruitment strategy. It helps recruiters build more diverse and effective teams. By using ATS, you can easily communicate comments and evaluations to every applicant.
Provides You With a Cost-Effective Solution
They say that time is money, and that’s especially true for the recruitment department. According to a study, the average cost per hire is around $4,000. And that still depends on different factors such as recruiting, onboarding, and training costs.
Most ATS is cheaper and more effective than other means of hiring candidates. By streamlining administrative tasks, you spend fewer human hours to find the right candidate. That makes ATS software a more cost-effective recruitment solution than other alternatives.
The Best Applicant Tracking System Software: How to Look for One?
Because ATS is useful in the recruitment process, you’ll find a lot of options available in the market. These programs have different capabilities, and range in price. So how do you pick the best ATS for your business when there are so many options available? Here are some things to think about:
Set a Budget
Check how much budget you have for a recruitment tool. Also, consider the average amount of money you spend on hiring and how much you have left over for ATS costs. Can you reduce other recruitment expenses to make more money available for an ATS?
The idea is to spend only on a recruitment system that provides solutions to your problems. This way, you won’t have to spend more on something that has more features than you need.
Consult Those Who Are Responsible for Hiring
Make sure to talk with the people who will be recruiting and using the system. Recruiters and hiring managers will know what ATS features to look for. They know the job and what problems a recruitment tool should address. If you’re not the one who handles the recruitment process, you’d better leave the decision to them.
Consider the Learning Process to Operate One
The reason why you’re investing in an ATS is that it will speed up and reduce the cost of your hiring process. If the system is difficult to understand, then you will spend more time learning how to use it. This defeats the system’s purpose and makes things even more difficult for you.
Many ATS providers offer lessons and excellent customer service. Despite that, you still need to consider your level of technical expertise before buying one. If it has more functionality than you believe you can handle, then it’s best to find another solution.
Watch Out for Commitments and Subscription Options
While some ATS suppliers allow month-to-month subscriptions, others demand lengthy commitments. You want to be certain that you get the right ATS for the size of your investment. Some suppliers provide free trials or demos. They can help you figure out whether the system’s features work for your company.
What ATS Features Should You Watch Out for?
To reap the benefits of ATS, you need to find the right features that your company needs. Here are some of the best ATS features that can solve your recruitment problems:
Career Website Customization
If you want to attract potential employees, you need to advertise your organization. To do this, you need to have a career website that meets all the needs of an applicant.
Some ATS allow you to customize your career website to leave good impressions on job seekers. If you need this feature, look for one where you can customize your website on different devices.
Convenient Application Procedure and Mobile Experience
Applicants should not find it hard to submit their applications for a job post. Make sure that your ATS allows them to send their information through whatever method they like. This includes uploading their resume on your website, applying through LinkedIn, or taking a photo of the document.
Programs for Employee Referral
Referrals are unquestionably one of the greatest and most reliable sources for hiring. Make sure that creating a smooth recommendation program for all of your staff is part of your ATS. Your employees should be able to let their contacts know where to look for new openings at your company.
Tools for Collaborative Hiring
These tools will keep everyone informed by enabling multiple parties to examine the status of candidates. A great ATS software has automatic application evaluation and onboarding time forecasting. You can arrange interviews with the help of its very comprehensive tracking capabilities.
Analytics and Customizable Dashboards
One feature your ATS must have is the ability to make sure that your analytics are simple and easy to configure. It should allow you to make adjustments, even if you’re using report templates.
Dashboards also help you highlight your current metrics and keep an eye on trends. By using one, you can see these metrics so you can filter candidates and avoid recruiting delays.
Final Thoughts
Applicant tracking systems have changed how recruiters find applicants in the digital age. Businesses should modify their approach and put HR tools that allow for better and quicker recruiting into place.
This article goes through everything you need to know to find the best ATS for your company’s needs. But before you make any decisions, weigh all of your alternatives and communicate with your team.