What Employers Need to Know About Applicant Tracking Systems

​An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a software you can use to manage your recruitment and hiring. Since hiring can be a complex process, ATS software can help make it easier. If you are part of a large company, and receive numerous resumes per day, this will be an exceptionally helpful program.

Benefits of Using ATS

By allowing you to easily keep track of applicants and keep records in one place, using an ATS saves time, money, and paper. In using this, you will not have to worry about losing information about those who have applied.

ATS software provides several useful features that streamline the recruiting process such as:¹

• Keyword filters to save time by quickly locating a specific resume or applicant record.
• A comprehensive database that keeps a record of all applicants. This way, you can search and bring up an applicant's record if needed.
• Ratings, tags, and notes that can be attached to candidates.
• Tools to create a "Careers" page for your website as well as job postings.
• Interview management features.

Applicant tracking systems make it easier for hiring staff to collaborate. Applicants' information is stored in one place and accessible to staff members. Some systems even use social media like LinkedIn as part of their scanning process to match job seekers with positions.³ If certain candidates do not match an available position, their information will be stored in the database. The ATS can then automatically flag candidates as a fit if it finds a match between their application and a different opening at a later time.²

Overall, ATS simplifies the recruiting and hiring process.

Things to Consider

Before choosing to use an ATS there are a few things to consider that will determine if it is right for your company.

ATS software isn't perfect. It can help you save time by narrowing down candidates to the people likely to be a fit, however, sometimes qualified candidates are missed because their resumes confuse the software. This can happen because of formatting issues or certain keywords having a different verb tense. For example, if a recruiter searches for "management," the ATS may miss a resume containing the word "manager."

To decrease these problems consider using a more modern, higher-quality ATS. Ensuring that your ATS has great parsing functionality will decrease the chances of qualified candidates being rejected. PC Magazine recently posted a great article that compares different ATS options.

Also, ATS software doesn't have human judgment. AI technology isn't yet at the point where it can "think" in the same way as a human. Because of this only a person can truly understand the overall message a resume communicates. A resume that interests a hiring manager or HR employee may not look interesting to an ATS. After all, it just checks off items on a list of keywords. ATS software is not a substitute for an employee, but with careful consideration, it can be a very powerful tool for you and your company.

Next Steps

If you would like to read more about hiring in general, head over to Illinois workNet's Hiring for Employers page.

¹https://resources.workable.com/tutorial/important-applicant-tracking-system-features

²https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/benefits-drawbacks-using-applicant-tracking-systems-appliview-the-ats