Are you tired of collecting paper resumes and applications? Are you fed up with the lengthy hiring process? Are you ready to find a smarter and easier way to attract and hire top-quality candidates?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you’re not alone. Many businesses have already solved these hiring challenges and more with applicant tracking software (ATS). But for others, the immediate challenge lies in understanding the capabilities and benefits of an automated hiring solution.
To give you a jump-start on your research and a little ATS 101, we’ve answered some of the most common questions about applicant tracking software in a short FAQ below:
1. What is an applicant tracking system?
Applicant tracking software allows hiring managers to automate their organization's hiring and recruiting processes.
2. What does an applicant tracking system do?
Simply put, applicant tracking software eases the frustrations of the hiring process. First and foremost, applicant tracking software centralizes all of the data your HR department needs during the recruiting and hiring process. The system displays and organizes your hiring data in a trackable manner, from basic applicant contact information and resumes to a full array of questions, assessments and tests.
3. Why should I use an applicant tracking system?
An online hiring and recruiting system streamlines your entire hiring process, which translates into multiple benefits for your department, including:
- Greater efficiency
- Improved candidate experience
- Lower recruiting costs
- Shorter times to hire
- Better applicant communication
- Lower employee turnover
- Better collaboration between HR, hiring managers and supervisors
4. How do I know if I need an applicant tracking system?
Evaluate your current hiring process and the types of reporting and analytics tools your HR department currently uses. Additionally, identify the day-to-day hiring challenges your company faces, such as:
- Collecting paper resumes and manually passing them around to hiring managers within the company.
- Using spreadsheets to tediously track information for every applicant.
- Hefty advertising bills from newspaper ads and Internet job boards.
- Having to manually review stacks of resumes for a single job posting, only to discover that none meet the desired qualifications for the position.
5. What features come in an applicant tracking system?
Each applicant tracking software vendor provides different benefits and applicant tracking functionality. Here we’ve identified three core areas of functionality that are crucial components of an online hiring and recruiting system:
Job Postings: This usually includes a branded careers page, automatic position advertising on job boards and job posting management.
Applicant Evaluation, Tracking and Management: Pre-scored applicant delivery, interview scheduling and management, system-generated follow-up emails and a historical applicant activity log are just some evaluation and management features of applicant tracking systems.
Reporting and Analytics: Some applicant tracking systems give you the ability to collect EEO data, report on position and applicant metrics and track applicant sources and employee
Stay tuned for 5 Things Your Should Know about Applicant Tracking Software – Part 2 where we’ll answer more common questions about online hiring and recruiting systems.
If you’re ready to learn more about applicant tracking software in the meantime, download “How to Choose an Online Hiring and Recruiting System: A Buyer’s Guide” for more information on applicant tracking features and functionality.