Software that streamlines and automates processes has a positive impact on the bottom line of any business, department or division, with recruitment no exception. The introduction of the internet and the rise in the use of social media has transformed the hiring process, with applicant tracking systems constantly evolving to utilise all technological advancements to expand your talent pool.
A classified ad in a newspaper for a vacancy in the 1980s would be applied for by post and an application form sent back by return. As more individuals gained access to the internet during the 1990s, the process sped up with the advent of email.
Job boards such as Monster began to appear and the first ATS systems were developed. LinkedIn, fuelled by the way job boards and social media were changing recruitment, was founded in 2003; within 10 years, it had gained over 200 million members. Through job boards and social media, a vacancy can now attract hundreds and sometimes thousands of applicants in a short space of time. Applicant tracking systems are designed to filter them and identify the best candidates for the job.
Attracting and retaining potential candidates
A sophisticated ATS can present a branded careers site that presents the company, its culture and the benefits of working there; what’s more, it can invite applicants to upload their details and apply for vacancies. The hiring process can take time, so it is crucial to keep candidates engaged as they move from one stage to the next. Templates that are customisable for bulk emails make it easier for recruiters to keep their candidates updated every step of the way, providing a streamlined and positive experience.
Identifying the key candidates for interview
With the increased number of applications comes the difficult task of sifting through them and identifying the applicants that tick the right boxes. An applicant tracking system can do this by transferring the information on each CV that has been uploaded into a standard format; from there, it can filter them for the relevant experience, skills and qualifications. This smart filtering screening process is a great time-saver in what would otherwise be a long-drawn-out process of reading through each application and identifying those who can progress to the next stage.
Applicant tracking system reporting
An applicant tracking system can generate reports that can track every candidate in the system based on the source of their application, their skills, qualifications, experience, location, and much more. It can help you to focus your time and effort to get the best results from your applicant pool.
With automated job posting, smart searching capabilities, social media integration, engagement with candidates, intelligent reporting and more, an applicant tracking system can help you to grow your talent pool even during times when there may be shortages of applicants. In an age when more processes are being automated, it is important to have an ATS that keeps pace in a recruitment industry that is becoming ever more competitive.
