Did you know that 25% of recruiters and hiring managers still do not use an applicant tracking system in their recruitment process?
We hope you don’t fall under this category! But if you do, you’ll be convinced to invest in an ATS by the end of this article!
So let’s get down to the basics to understand how this magical recruiting tool works.
What is an Applicant Tracking System?
Simply put, an ATS or an Applicant Tracking System is an all-in-one tool for recruiters.
This recruiting software helps automate and manage hiring processes by pre-screening candidates, handling large volumes of resumes, and prioritizing the best candidates for interviews.
How Does an ATS Work?
An applicant tracking system covers all the steps involved in the recruitment process.
An ATS keeps track of everything from posting job advertisements to numerous job sites to screening and sourcing candidates!
The essential features you’ll find in a high-quality ATS include–
- Candidate Sourcing
- Resume Parsing
- Boolean Filters
- Email Integrations
- Advanced Reports
How Does an ATS Function?
1. Scanning Like a Human Mind
An applicant tracking system’s AI features are developed and trained to mimic the human mind.
Manually scanning a pile of resumes is extremely time-consuming, but an ATS speeds up this procedure through its resume parsing feature, resulting in reduced margins of error and time and cost savings.
For instance, if you’re trying to hire a sales executive, your ATS will automatically scan and present you with resumes that contain the exact phrase or keyword.
2. Screening the Right Candidate
When it comes to screening candidates, an ATS uses “knockout questions” to sweep out applicants who are the wrong fit.
Knockout questions can take the shape of multiple-choice or brief answers.
The algorithm automatically eliminates a candidate if they don’t respond to them. Once a candidate responds to the questions successfully, and in accordance with company requirements, the system will go to the next stage of the hiring process.
Some ATSs have Chrome extensions that can scan a candidate’s LinkedIn profile and automatically upload the information to your hiring database.
3. Automating Communication
There is no doubt that communication and recruiting go hand in hand. Clear and prompt communication with your clients and candidates will help you excel as a recruiter.
But who has the time to follow up on hundreds of emails and messages manually?
Fortunately, with an ATS, recruiters can forget about manually sending emails through comprehensive email integrations.
Recruiters can also send mass emails to user-specified groups, which helps to streamline communication further. It’s also easy to keep track of conversational threads and expedite the hiring process.
4. Tracking Candidate Stages
An ATS allows you to track the resumes after scanning and sorting them at every stage of the recruitment cycle.
For instance, if you interview ten individuals, your applicant tracking system will let you know whether a candidate is in the first or second round of interviews.
A candidate will remain in your recruiting database for future openings even if they are eliminated in the middle of the process.
5. Automate Job Posting
With an applicant tracking system, recruiters can post job openings across numerous platforms simultaneously with a single click.
Instead of opening multiple tabs and independently keeping track of each post’s performance, the analytics will be compiled for you through your ATS.
A well-developed ATS can even integrate your a careers page on your website to make the online application process easier for candidates.
6. Providing a Better Candidate Experience
A positive candidate experience is vital for attracting top talent in a candidate-centric job market!
When an applicant tracking system streamlines the entire recruitment process, recruiters will have more time to interact with their candidates and build a positive rapport.
Ultimately, you create a positive perception among your target audience, improving your employer brand.
Final Words
Whether your business is large or small, an applicant tracking system is essential for modern-day recruiting.
With the help of recruitment automation, recruiters can keep track of the hiring process so recruiters can easily bag their next hire!