What Is An ATS? 5 Things You Need to Know About Applicant Tracking System

Applicant Tracking System is a computer software program used by recruiters and employers to track candidates throughout the recruitment thus managing the hiring process. The hiring process can be a time-consuming and frustrating experience for employers as well as job seekers. Many companies have started using applicant tracking systems (ATS) to streamline the process in terms of time and money. Below is the discussion on 5 things you need to know about the applicant tracking system.

1.  Benefits of an applicant tracking system:

      Applicant tracking system simplifies the recruitment process by quickly organizing thousands of resumes. It enables companies to gather information about candidates, categorize potential hires based on their experience and skills, and sift through applicants efficiently. Additionally, it helps with interview scheduling, issues notifications, and alerts, and sends automated emails to candidates and employees, such as recruiters and hiring managers

2.  Working of an Applicant tracking system:

 An applicant tracking system (ATS) works in the following ways:

1. Job opening is entered into the Applicant tracking system (ATS), along with the details about the role, including the job title, necessary skills, and experience required. 

2. The ATS uses these details to outline what the perfect candidate would look like. 

3. As job seekers apply and their resumes are submitted, the ATS reviews organizes, and prioritizes them according to specific keywords and how closely they align with the ideal candidate profile. 

4. The recruiter reviews top applicants in the system and selects the candidates to pursue further. Candidates who are not selected may receive an automated rejection email.

5. When the preferred candidate is identified, the recruiter will typically use the ATS to send the offer to the candidate.

3.  Key Features of ATS:

  An effective applicant tracking system comes packed with features designed to simplify the recruitment process. These include:

1. Resume parsing: This feature extracts crucial details from resumes, such as contact details, employment history, educational qualifications, and skills.

2.  Advanced search: Users can sift through applications using precise filters like keywords, job titles, skills, experience levels, and educational backgrounds.

3. Potential candidate sourcing: This functionality helps identify and contact potential candidates for vacancies.

4. Integrated CRM: Some ATS systems are equipped with Customer Relationship Management capabilities to consolidate all recruitment activities on a single platform.

5. Email Templates: To maintain consistency and professionalism in communication, most ATS systems provide customizable email templates.

6. Detailed Analytics and Reporting: Users can generate comprehensive reports on applicants, recruitment trends, and other important metrics.

7. Extensive Integrations: ATS can be integrated with a wide range of software solutions, such as email marketing tools, accounting software, and CRM platforms, for enhanced functionality.

8. Interview Scheduling: The automation of interview scheduling eliminates the hassle of rescheduling, sending reminders, and synchronizing multiple calendars.

4.  How to Optimize Your Resume for an ATS:

Job seekers should focus on the following key points to optimize resumes for ATS.

1. The template of a resume should be an ATS complaint to parse information correctly.

2. Use relevant keywords and phrases that match the job description.

3. Include quantifiable achievements to stand out.

4. Avoid graphics and tables, which can confuse the system.

5. There should be an equivalent proportion of soft and hard skills. 

6. Don’t use headers and footers. These can make it difficult for the ATS to parse your information correctly.

7. Use traditional headings like “Work Experience” or “Education”, which won’t confuse the ATS. Don’t get too creative or fancy. 

8. Use a simple font, such as Arial or Times New Roman, rather than one that looks artistic.

5.  Best applicant tracking systems:

Here is a list of the best applicant tracking systems:

1. Manatal AI Engine simplifies the whole hiring process by suggesting the best candidates for a given job while automating redundant tasks.

2. Bullhorn’s ATS and customer relationship management (CRM) create a modern staffing system with job order management, candidate search, activity tracking, and reporting tools.

3. Workable is the best ATS that has helped 27,000 companies hire more than 1.5 million people

4. BambooHR manages employee data and gathers valuable insights. Find, hire, and onboard the best talent.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, ATS has made hiring a lot easier for companies and changed how job seekers apply for jobs. Making sure your resume works well with these systems is really important. If you do this, you have a better chance of your resume getting noticed. Simple things like using the right keywords and having a clear layout can make a big difference. For companies, ATS helps sort through lots of applications quickly, saving them time and helping them find the right people quicker. As technology gets even better, knowing how to use ATS will be key for both job hunters and employers.

Got a grip on tailoring your resume for the applicant tracking system? Check out WeLinkJobs to opt for your next dream job where your skills and interests align with the needs of employers looking for someone exactly like you.

Visit WeLinkJobs today and take the definitive step toward a future