Applicant Tracking Systems

Modern ATS platform tools and human resources software incorporates advanced features to expedite the recruiting and hiring process. The top applicant tracking systems allow for highly configurable workflows and smooth integration with your full HR tech stack. Here are some of the key features to look for in a stand alone product:

• Posting job descriptions on a career site
• Open job management and tracking
• Rank applicants automatically and/or by tagging
• Employee onboarding
• Integration with popular job boards
• Reduction of data entry through workflows
• Performance metrics reporting
• Candidate experience evaluation and reporting
• Listing of candidate profiles on social media
• Candidate profiles creation 
• Staffing agencies job assignment and distribution
• Email integration (Microsoft Outlook / Gmail)
• Hiring funnel / stage examination and reporting
• Permission sets for HR managers and external service providers
• Interview schedules viewing and setting
• Background screening and documentation to onboard employees
• AI tools for sourcing and matching talent
• Hiring needs surveying and identification
• Social recruiting / social media job posting and LinkedIn Recruiter integration

You're probably already using an applicant tracking system, but are you using the right one?  Or perhaps you are using spreadsheets, a stray Airtable or Salesforce hack, or some other manual method of tracking your applicants. When you're just starting up your business, this approach is adequate, but when you have multiple hiring managers and a more sophisticated recruitment process, you will want to invest in a good applicant tracking system.

With so many applicant tracking and recruiting software options available, it can be hard to find the best fit for your company. That's why we've put together this research for you - in this article, you'll learn about the best applicant tracking systems and other important information to help streamline the selection process of buying a new ATS.

Applicant tracking systems help you manage candidates throughout the hiring process and assist with the sourcing process by helping find better quality candidates that are actively looking for jobs, resulting in lower turnover and better retention rates. The streamlined workflows help with sharing information among team members to increase communication within the hiring process which allows for higher quality hires. Customizable functionality allows you to have success with your own strategy, selecting the tools that are best for you. ATS also helps with being more productive by streamlining the hiring process.

Keep in mind, an ATS is only as good as what you put into it so make sure to customize your strategy and workflows to be successful!

Modern applicant tracking system software helps with better sourcing of candidates, creation of custom applicant workflows, automatic job postings to job boards, and more customizable tools to automate your hiring and talent acquisition process. This means you can process and nurture a higher volume of qualified candidates. The right applicant tracking software can be of real strategic importance to your recruiting process, ultimately allowing your talent acquisition team and/or hiring manager to engage with more targeted job seekers and onboard the right people and talent to your company.

Here are some of the more important features of modern applicant tracking systems. Most ATS vendors will try to capture these functions. Rank each vendor on these features based on your individual needs and use case:

• Candidate management
• Candidate relationship management
• Job description optimization
• Job posting to job boards
• Post jobs to social media sites
• Performance management
• Campaigning to passive candidates
• HRIS / employee engagement or other tech stack integration
• Hiring team collaboration on open positions
• Human recruiter (third party agency) sourcing
• Career site/employer brand functionality
• Interview scheduling
• Surfacing/ranking best candidates
• Candidate sourcing or database
• AI / Smart search tools
• Video interviews
• Resume parsing
• Mobile app
• Blind screening and other diversity / DEI features
• New hires paperwork / electronic signatures
• Hiring experience / candidate surveys
• Third-party applications or marketplace
• Monthly subscription or billed annually