What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a software application that enables the electronic handling of a company’s recruitment needs. It serves as a digital hub that organizes and simplifies the complexity associated with the hiring process. 

It’s designed to help employers save time and resources by automating many of the tasks traditionally done manually. From posting job openings to sorting through resumes and managing the interview process, an ATS serves as a comprehensive recruitment facilitator.

What are the Core Features of an ATS?

Let’s explore the core features of an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) that are commonly provided across various platforms and make them essential tools for businesses in their recruitment efforts:

1. Job Posting and Distribution

An ATS simplifies the process of job advertising. It enables recruiters to create job listings and distribute them across a multitude of channels with a few clicks. 

These channels may include company career pages, job boards, social media platforms, and professional networks. This broad distribution maximizes the visibility of job openings, attracting a diverse pool of candidates.

2. Resume Management

Another significant feature of the ATS is that it acts as a central repository for all applications received. The system collects, sorts, and stores resumes and applicant information in an organized, searchable database. This makes it easier for recruiters to manage the influx of applications and quickly access candidate information.

3. Applicant Sorting and Screening

Through keyword matching and filtering algorithms, an ATS is equipped to parse through resumes and applications, evaluating them against the job requirements. It can prioritize candidates by how well their qualifications match the job description, thus streamlining the initial screening process. 

This automated sorting helps reduce the volume of resumes that recruiters need to manually review.

4. Communication Tools

An ATS often includes communication tools that allow for automated responses, personalized emails, interview invitations, and feedback notifications. Keeping a consistent line of communication ensures a more positive candidate experience. Plus, it also reflects well on the employer’s brand.

5. Interview Scheduling

Candidate interviews can be one of the most time-consuming aspects of recruitment. An ATS can integrate with calendar software to show availability and allow candidates to choose an interview time that works for them and the hiring team. This functionality greatly alleviates the administrative burden of coordinating schedules.

6. Reporting and Analytics

Data is power, and an ATS often comes with robust analytics and reporting tools that help businesses measure the effectiveness of their recruitment efforts. 

Metrics such as time-to-hire, cost-per-hire, candidate source effectiveness, and conversion rates provide valuable insights. These can inform future hiring strategies and highlight areas for improvement.

7. Compliance Management

An ATS can also help in ensuring that the recruitment process is compliant with labor laws and regulations. This includes aspects like equal opportunity employment, data privacy laws, and record-keeping requirements. 

A standardized process and thorough documentation can protect the company against potential legal issues.

8. Collaboration Tools

Recruiting is often a team effort, and ATS platforms may offer features that facilitate collaboration among HR professionals, hiring managers, and department heads. 

Team members can leave notes, feedback, and evaluations on candidate profiles within the system, streamlining the decision-making process and maintaining a comprehensive hiring record.

9. Candidate Relationship Management

Some ATS solutions encompass features for maintaining relationships with candidates, even those not currently being considered for positions, through talent pools or talent communities. 

This means they can easily be engaged for future opportunities, thus reducing the time and cost of sourcing candidates for subsequent openings.

What are the Benefits of Using an ATS?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) offers a wealth of benefits for recruiters and hiring managers. 

One primary advantage of an ATS is its ability to organize and automate the various stages of hiring, from posting job openings to sorting applications and managing candidate communication. 

This level of organization drastically reduces the administrative burden on HR personnel. It, thus frees them to focus on more strategic tasks such as candidate engagement and employer branding. 

An ATS can also quickly filter through large volumes of resumes using keywords, qualifications, and other predetermined criteria, allowing recruiters to efficiently shortlist the most suitable candidates. 

This not only accelerates the hiring process but also ensures a more fair and objective selection by minimizing unconscious bias.

Additionally, an ATS significantly improves the candidate’s experience, which is crucial in a competitive job market. It fosters a positive impression of the company by providing timely updates and maintaining clear communication with applicants.

It also offers an easily accessible platform for applicants to submit and track their applications, which encourages transparency throughout the hiring process. For organizations, an ATS provides valuable analytics and reporting capabilities. This can shed light on the effectiveness of their recruitment efforts, identifying bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement. 

An ATS also helps companies tailor their recruiting strategies based on actionable insights, leading to better hiring decisions. 

With its centralized database, the system makes it easier for teams to collaborate on recruitment, ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned and informed, which ultimately contributes to a more cohesive and consistent hiring practice.

Select the Right ATS with Tarmack 

Not all Applicant Tracking Systems are created equal, and choosing the right one for your business requires a thoughtful approach. 

Consider the size of your business, the volume of hiring, existing HR software, and specific features that align with your recruitment goals. 

A trial or a demo can also be invaluable in assessing whether an ATS meshes well with your company’s workflow.

Consider choosing Tarmack’s top-of-the-line HR management software. It is not only multi-featured but also reliable, and can play a notable role in streamlining the HR-related activities of your organization. Contact us to learn more about our HRMS.