The ultimate guide to Applicant Tracking Systems for Recruitment Agencies

An Applicant Tracking System, abbreviated as ATS, is a powerful system recruitment firms can use to streamline the candidate selection process. It allows recruiters to manage the entire recruitment process more effectively, by allowing them to attract, source and hire candidates faster.

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What is an Applicant Tracking System?

Applicant Tracking Systems are typically used by recruitment agencies. Using an ATS in recruitment is essential, as recruitment agencies have a constant flow of potential leads and candidates, making it important for them to find a solution that streamlines the process. As a result, many recruitment agencies are starting to invest in systems that improve the efficiency of their operations, the main one being an Applicant Tracking System.

What does an Applicant Tracking System do?

The main goal of a recruitment ATS is to simplify the recruitment process and make it more efficient. This is accomplished by giving recruiters access to a powerful cloud-based system which allows them to see all candidates in one place.

For years, recruiters have done everything from sourcing, job-posting and hiring manually, and eventually it becomes cost ineffective and repetitive. With a recruitment ATS, recruiters can not only improve efficiency but also skyrocket the candidate experience during the hiring process.

An ATS takes care of information such as candidate cover letters and CVs, candidate documentation and interview dates, keeping it all in one seamless database for recruiters to access from anywhere they need to.

Core features of a recruitment ATS

A recruitment ATS wouldn’t simplify the recruitment process without having some useful features. You can find the following features on the majority of Applicant Tracking Systems.

Job posting & distribution

Create and post job openings to multiple job boards, company websites, and social media platforms.

Resume storage

Automatically parse resumes, extracting essential information and storing it securely.

Search & filtering

Advanced search and filtering capabilities that allow recruiters to quickly find suitable candidates.

Candidate management

Track candidate progress through different stages of the hiring process.

Collaboration tools

Facilitate collaborative communication between recruitment staff.

Reporting & analytics

Gain insights into all aspects of the recruitment process, helping to make data-driven decisions.

Why do businesses use ATS software?

The job market is becoming more and more competitive and manual methods of recruitment sometimes aren’t always as effective. Candidates want to find the best positions possible and recruitment agencies want to source them, so many are making the switch to using applicant tracking systems.

Additionally, candidates and recruiters alike want a process that is quick but also smooth. Applicant Tracking Systems make the entire process more efficient, allowing recruiters to source, contact and place candidates much easier!

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Benefits of an Applicant Tracking System for recruiters

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) enhances the recruitment process by reducing administrative workload, improving candidate organisation, and so much more! Discover the different benefits below.

Efficiency

An ATS automates administrative tasks such as job postings, resume sorting, and candidate communication, significantly reducing the time and effort required for these processes.

Candidate organisation

It centralises all candidate information, making it easier to track and manage applicants throughout the recruitment process.

Speed

By streamlining various recruitment tasks, an ATS accelerates the time it takes for recruiters to fill positions.

Compliance

The system helps ensure that recruitment practices adhere to legal and regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of non-compliance.

Data insights

An ATS provides valuable analytics and reporting tools, offering insights into the effectiveness of recruitment strategies and helping refine them for better results.

Improved quality of hires

By efficiently screening and filtering candidates, an ATS helps identify the best-fit candidates more accurately, improving the overall quality of hires.

Discover the advantages of utilising
an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

Enhance your recruitment process, from speeding up hiring to improving candidate experience and reducing costs, an ATS empowers you with advanced features and capabilities, Explore the key benefits below:

Speed up your recruitment process for efficient hiring

✔ Elevate candidate experience with streamlined processes.

✔ Facilitate collaborative hiring through a centralised ATS platform.

✔ Redefine recruiting metrics with ATS analytics and reporting.

✔ Easy interview scheduling to save time and enhance candidate engagement.

✔ Reduce time-to-fill positions and minimise downtime in recruitment.

Improve the quality of hires by leveraging ATS features

✔ Lower cost per hire with optimised resource allocation.

✔ Boost employer brand by showcasing professionalism and efficiency.

✔ Assist in finding top candidates with advanced search and filtering capabilities.

✔ One-click job posting to multiple boards for wider reach and visibility.

✔ Mitigate bias in hiring process by standardising evaluation criteria.

Benefits of an Applicant Tracking System for candidates

In the world of remote work, candidates can apply from anywhere in the world, making refining the candidate experience even more important to attract the best talent. Luckily, a recruitment ATS has two major benefits for prospective candidates:

Improves candidate experience

Candidates want a seamless experience when looking for jobs. Using the tools that an ATS has to offer, candidates can auto-fill online applications and schedule their own interviews, giving them more control over their hiring process.

A smooth hiring process

Candidates also want to know the status of their application. Many candidates can go weeks without hearing an update from a prospective employer, putting many off the company and recruitment process as a whole.

How to choose an ATS for your recruitment business

Just like any other software, an Applicant Tracking System differs from provider to provider. The most important thing is choosing the right software for you and your recruitment agency, and a number of factors will go into making this decision. Firstly, it’s important to consider your budget as the price of recruitment ATS software can differ based on the features they offer. It is also important to factor in mobile accessibility, since mobile recruiting is now a requirement for an effective strategy. Invest in software that is accessible with mobile so you can connect with your candidates on the go. Also consider trying out your chosen ATS before you buy. This allows you to see whether the system is right for your colleagues and recruitment strategy. It is also useful to test for any issues that may cause problems further down the line.

Request a free demo of your chosen ATS.

How much an ATS costs

Investing in a recruitment ATS involves an initial cost, but it can be a fantastic strategic investment for your staffing agency in the long term. The prices vary, with basic systems being relatively affordable and more advanced solutions for enterprises costing more. Implementing a recruitment ATS can turn a complex and time-consuming recruitment process into a healthy, streamlined and efficient one. It helps reduce errors and shortens the time-to-hire, which can lead to increased productivity and reduced downtime. While there is an initial cost, the long-term benefits can make it a worthwhile investment for many recruiters, no matter the industry!

Common misconceptions about recruitment ATS software

A recruitment ATS guarantees more leads

A common misconception agencies have around recruitment ATS’s is that they automatically guarantee more leads. While ATS’s are amazing for streamlining the recruitment process, they don’t guarantee more leads. It’s best to think of an ATS as the vessel for executing your recruitment strategy, so even if you invest in one you still need a solid strategy in place to attract potential candidates.

An Applicant Tracking System will solve sourcing problems

A second misconception is that a recruitment ATS will solve sourcing challenges. Even though an ATS helps streamline the process of job postings, job descriptions still need to be attractive to potential candidates.

Choosing an ATS is too time-consuming

A surprising number of recruitment professionals think that buying an ATS and migrating to a different ATS is too time consuming. Of course, it is important to research potential ATS’s to see how they fit into your strategy, budget and organisational needs, but once you’ve made the investment, the rest comes easy. Choose a recruitment ATS that has a free demo to see whether it fits your needs.

Final thoughts

An Applicant Tracking System is a useful tool for any recruitment agency looking to streamline their operations. As the industry becomes more competitive, software such as an ATS will become more important to stay ahead of the competition.

Ultimately, an ATS has advantages for both the recruiter and the candidate, making the recruitment process more satisfying and efficient for both. Remember, it’s important to research which ATS to invest in as well as trying a free demo to make sure it aligns with your strategy and business goals.

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