Applicant Tracking Systems
10 min read
•
Sep 27, 2024
Soumyata Singh
Dealing with thousands of resumes, tracking each applicant, analyzing their skills and onboarding the best one requires superpower. Yes, an applicant tracking system (ATS) it is. However, choosing the right applicant tracking system significantly impacts the hiring process.
With the right ATS, you can streamline tasks like posting jobs, screening candidates, and managing interviews. This automation helps you focus on what matters—hiring the best talent.
An ATS isn’t just a tool for recruiters; it also improves the candidate experience. From easy application processes to smooth communication, the benefits are clear. Recent reports show that 75% of large companies use an ATS to simplify recruitment. Knowing the core functions of these systems helps you find the one that suits your needs perfectly.
In this blog, we walk you through some of the best applicant tracking systems for recruiters - their features, pros-cons, prices etc to help you decide between them. Keep reading!
Core Functions of an ATS
An applicant tracking system for recruiters plays a crucial role in simplifying recruitment. It automates many tasks, saving time and improving efficiency. Let’s explore its key functions.
Candidate Sourcing
An ATS streamlines candidate sourcing through automated job postings. You can post on multiple job boards with one click. It also integrates with your application pages, creating a seamless process. Some systems even help manage your employer brand, ensuring a consistent message across platforms.
Candidate Management
Managing candidates becomes easier with an ATS. You can quickly upload resumes and other information. Scheduling interviews and screening candidates is also automated, saving hours of manual work. Plus, it helps build a talent pool by storing qualified candidates for future roles.
Pre-Screening
Pre-screening candidates is a lot easier when using an ATS. It parses keywords from resumes to find the best fits. Automated screening filters out unqualified applicants, allowing you to focus on top talent. Many systems also help with outreach and interview scheduling, ensuring you never miss a step.
Screening Candidates
Screening becomes more efficient with features like online tests and video interviews. Collaborative profile reviews let your team discuss candidates in real time. This ensures a more informed and collective hiring decision.
These core functions set the foundation for an effective recruitment process. Next, we’ll move to some of the top applicant tracking systems that are leading the market.
Top Applicant Tracking Systems
There are several great options when selecting an applicant tracking system for recruiters. Each system offers unique features and integrations to streamline your hiring process. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top ATS platforms available today.
1. Redrob
Redrob provides you with one of the best applicant tracking systems for recruiters that focuses on efficiency and flexibility. Its features help streamline the recruitment process, from sourcing candidates to onboarding.
Some of its important features are:
Customizable Workflows
With Redrob, you get customizable workflows to fit your specific hiring needs. You can tailor the recruitment steps for each position or department. This flexibility ensures that your process aligns with the unique requirements of different roles. By setting specific stages for each job, you can enhance efficiency and avoid unnecessary delays.
Advanced Analytics
Redrob provides detailed analytics to track your recruitment performance. You can measure key metrics like time-to-fill, cost-per-hire, and source effectiveness. These insights help you optimize your hiring strategy and focus on areas that need improvement. With real-time data, you can make informed decisions quickly.
AI-Powered Resume Screening
Redrob’s AI-powered resume screening tool speeds up candidate selection and saves 60% of candidate screening time. It automatically scans resumes, highlighting top candidates based on pre-set criteria. This feature reduces manual sorting and helps you quickly identify the best talent. AI screening is ideal for handling large volumes of applications, saving you time without compromising quality.
Integrations
Redrob supports a wide range of integrations, including payroll systems, background checks, and communication tools. You can easily connect it with platforms like BambooHR, Slack, and DocuSign. This integration allows you to manage all your recruitment tasks from one platform, reducing administrative work and improving productivity.
2. Greenhouse
Greenhouse is a popular applicant tracking system for recruiters, known for its structured hiring approach. It offers powerful features that simplify recruitment and ensure you find the right candidates efficiently.
Some of its key features are:
Structured Hiring
Greenhouse allows you to create a consistent hiring process. You can set up a clear interview plan that your team follows. This ensures all candidates go through the same steps, reducing bias and improving decision-making. Structured hiring leads to faster hiring and better candidate matches.
Team Collaboration Tools
Greenhouse helps your hiring team work together seamlessly. With easy communication tools, everyone can provide feedback on candidates. The system supports real-time collaboration, so hiring decisions are informed by multiple perspectives. This teamwork boosts the quality of hires.
Internal Job Board
The internal job board feature helps you advertise roles within your company. Employees can apply for open positions or refer qualified candidates. This feature encourages internal mobility and enhances your talent pool without additional sourcing costs.
Multichannel Candidate Sourcing
Greenhouse integrates with numerous sourcing platforms, allowing you to post jobs across different channels. It supports job boards, social media, and even employee referrals. This multichannel approach helps you reach a larger pool of candidates, speeding up the recruitment process.
Onboarding
Greenhouse doesn’t stop at recruitment—it also streamlines onboarding. Once a candidate is hired, the system makes it easy to transition them into the company. You can automate document collection and schedule onboarding activities, ensuring a smooth experience for new hires.
Integrations
Greenhouse integrates with over 400 applications, including Broadbean, Calendly, DocuSign, Dropbox, Google Meet, and Indeed. These integrations allow you to connect Greenhouse with tools you already use.
For instance, Broadbean can expand your reach to more job boards, while Calendly simplifies interview scheduling. This flexibility enhances the functionality of the system, giving you everything in one place.
3. Manatal
Manatal is an intuitive applicant tracking system for recruiters that focuses on simplicity and efficiency. It combines AI-driven features with easy-to-use tools, making it a favorite among recruiters worldwide.
Some of the key features are:
AI-Powered Recommendations
Manatal uses AI to recommend the best candidates for your job openings. The system compares candidates’ profiles with your job descriptions, ensuring you get the best matches. This feature helps you reduce the time spent on manual resume reviews, allowing you to focus on top talent. With AI recommendations, you can cut hiring time by up to 30%.
Social Media Recruitment
It integrates social media recruitment into its platform, making sourcing even more effective. You can access candidate profiles from LinkedIn, Facebook, and other networks. This feature allows you to build a comprehensive candidate profile and better understand their qualifications. Using social media also helps you tap into passive candidates who might not actively be applying.
Pipeline Management
Manatal makes managing your candidate pipeline easy. You can track candidates through each stage of the hiring process using a simple drag-and-drop interface. This visual pipeline ensures you don’t lose sight of any applicant. You can customize stages to match your recruitment process, improving the overall flow of hiring.
Diversity and Inclusion Tools
You get access to built-in tools to help improve diversity in hiring. You can anonymize candidate profiles to remove any bias from the selection process. This feature promotes a fair and objective review of each candidate based solely on their skills and qualifications. It also supports compliance with diversity and inclusion policies.
Integrations
Manatal supports various integrations, including email, calendars, and job boards. You can sync it with platforms like Gmail, Outlook, and Slack, ensuring smooth communication throughout the hiring process. The system also integrates with assessment tools, helping you evaluate candidates more thoroughly. This makes Manatal a comprehensive solution for all your recruiting needs.
4. Pinpoint
Pinpoint is an applicant tracking system for recruiters designed to prioritize fairness and efficiency in hiring. It offers standout features so you can attract and assess the right talent with minimal bias.
Some of its key features are:
Blind Screening
Pinpoint’s blind screening feature helps you evaluate candidates without any unconscious bias. It hides personal information, such as name, gender, or ethnicity, during the initial review. This way, you can focus purely on the candidate’s qualifications and skills. Blind screening is especially important for improving diversity in hiring, which can lead to a more dynamic workforce.
Candidate Scorecards
With Pinpoint, you can use candidate scorecards to assess applicants based on set criteria. These scorecards allow your team to rank candidates across different skills and attributes. The scorecards make it easier to compare candidates and reach fair, objective hiring decisions. This method also streamlines the interview process and helps you focus on what truly matters—skills and experience.
Custom Report Builder
The custom report builder in Pinpoint allows you to generate specific insights based on your hiring data. You can create tailored reports that track key recruitment metrics, like time to hire, source of hire, and diversity statistics. These reports provide real-time data, helping you adjust your recruitment strategies for better results. Custom reports ensure you make data-driven decisions and continuously improve your hiring process.
Integrations
Pinpoint offers 100+ integrations with popular tools like ADP, BambooHR, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Workday, and Zoom. These integrations make it easier to manage every part of your recruitment process in one place. For example, you can connect BambooHR for seamless HR management or Zoom for virtual interviews. With these integrations, Pinpoint becomes a complete solution for all your hiring needs.
5. ClearCompany
This applicant tracking system for recruiters is designed to optimize your hiring process. It focuses on mobile-friendly tools and automation to make recruitment smooth and efficient.
Some of its key features are:
Mobile-Friendly Interview Packages
ClearCompany offers mobile-friendly interview packages that let you manage the entire interview process from any device. This feature is perfect for busy recruiters and candidates. It allows for quick scheduling, feedback sharing, and real-time updates on interviews. With mobile accessibility, you can keep the recruitment process moving, even on the go. This convenience can reduce time-to-hire and improve candidate engagement.
Advanced ClearText Suite
The Advanced ClearText suite automates communication with candidates. You can send SMS or email updates directly from the platform, keeping candidates informed at every step. This feature saves you time and ensures a seamless flow of information. Recruiters benefit from real-time notifications, while candidates appreciate the prompt updates.
Candidate Sourcing
ClearCompany simplifies candidate sourcing by integrating with major job boards and sourcing platforms. This broad reach helps you attract qualified candidates faster. You can post job openings across multiple platforms simultaneously, maximizing your exposure. ClearCompany also supports employee referrals, further enhancing your talent pool.
Automated Screening
ClearCompany’s automated screening feature helps you sort through applications quickly. It uses predefined criteria to screen out unqualified candidates, allowing you to focus on top talent. Automated screening reduces manual effort, making the initial phase of recruitment faster and more efficient. It’s a crucial feature for recruiters handling high volumes of applications.
Integrations
ClearCompany integrates with over 100 applications, including tools for assessment tests, background checks, and calendars. These integrations help you streamline the hiring process, offering a unified system for all recruitment tasks. For example, you can run background checks directly within the platform or sync interview schedules with your calendar app. This saves time and reduces errors.
6. BambooHR
BambooHR is an applicant tracking system for recruiters that simplifies hiring and HR management in one platform. Its user-friendly interface and essential features make it ideal for small to mid-sized businesses.
Some of its key features are:
Applicant Tracking
BambooHR offers a straightforward applicant tracking feature that helps you manage the entire hiring process. You can easily post job listings, track applications, and communicate with candidates from one dashboard. This streamlining helps recruiters save time and focus on interviewing top candidates. BambooHR also supports collaborative hiring by allowing team members to provide feedback and rate applicants.
Mobile Hiring App
Their mobile hiring app lets you manage the recruitment process on the go. You can review applications, schedule interviews, and send offer letters from your phone or tablet. This flexibility helps you keep up with candidates even when you're away from your desk. The mobile app ensures that your hiring process remains efficient and timely, improving candidate experience.
Reporting and Analytics
BambooHR provides useful reporting tools that help you track important hiring metrics, like time-to-fill and source of hire. These insights help you identify bottlenecks and improve your recruitment strategies. BambooHR's reporting features can help you make data-driven decisions, ensuring you hire more effectively. For example, you can easily see which job boards deliver the best candidates, helping you focus your efforts.
Integrations
BambooHR integrates with 50+ applications, including popular tools like Indeed, Glassdoor, and background check services. It also syncs with payroll systems, making it easier to manage HR processes after a candidate is hired. These integrations allow you to handle all your recruiting and HR tasks in one place, ensuring a smoother workflow.
7. Workable
Workable is a user-friendly applicant tracking system for recruiters, designed to streamline your hiring process. It provides a range of features that help you source, evaluate, and hire the best candidates quickly.
Some of its key features are:
AI-Powered Sourcing
Workable uses AI to source candidates from a wide range of job boards and social media platforms. The AI helps match candidates to your job openings based on their skills and experience. This automation saves you time and helps you reach passive candidates who might not actively apply. With over 400 million candidate profiles in its database, Workable ensures you find the right talent.
One-Click Job Posting
Workable simplifies job posting with its one-click feature. You can post a job across over 200 job boards with a single click. This helps increase your job’s visibility, making it easier to attract qualified applicants. Workable also integrates with platforms like LinkedIn and Glassdoor, ensuring your openings reach a large audience.
Collaborative Hiring
Workable emphasizes collaborative hiring by allowing your team to share feedback and communicate within the platform. Recruiters, managers, and interviewers can leave notes and rate candidates in real time. This collaboration makes it easier to make informed hiring decisions quickly. It also reduces the need for back-and-forth emails, keeping the process organized.
Video Interviews
You get access to video interview tools, which are especially useful for remote hiring. You can conduct live video interviews or request pre-recorded responses from candidates. Video interviews help you assess candidates’ communication skills and save time, allowing you to screen more applicants in less time.
Integrations
Workable integrates with popular tools like ADP, BambooHR, and Zapier. These integrations allow you to manage payroll, background checks, and more within the platform. You can also sync with Google Calendar and Outlook to schedule interviews easily. This flexibility ensures that Workable fits seamlessly into your existing recruitment workflow.
These ATS options offer diverse features and integrations that can make a real impact on your recruitment efforts. Next, let’s look at some trends in applicant tracking systems that are likely to be the future of recruitment.
Trends in Applicant Tracking Systems
As technology progresses, applicant tracking systems for recruiters continue to improve. Let’s look at the major trends affecting the ATS platforms today.
1. AI-Driven Screening and Skill Matching
Artificial intelligence is transforming the way recruiters screen candidates. An AI-driven applicant tracking system for recruiters automatically scans resumes, matches skills to job descriptions, and ranks candidates.
This improves accuracy and reduces time spent on manual screening. According to many recruiters, AI enhances the hiring process. AI also helps match candidates to roles based on their skills, making it easier to find the best fit.
2. Hiring Bias Reduction Tools
Many ATS platforms are implementing bias reduction tools to ensure fair hiring. Features like blind screening and AI-driven evaluations help minimize unconscious bias. Recruiters believe diversity and inclusion initiatives benefit from such tools. By focusing on qualifications and experience, these tools promote more diverse hiring practices, creating a fairer recruitment process for everyone involved.
3. Mobile Accessibility and Optimization
With the growing use of mobile devices, an applicant tracking system for recruiters must be optimized for mobile use. Recruiters can manage candidates, schedule interviews, and review applications on the go.
According to recent data, 82% of job seekers prefer a mobile-friendly process for job application, making mobile-friendly systems critical. ATS platforms with mobile apps provide flexibility, allowing recruiters to work remotely while staying efficient.
Conclusion
Choosing the right applicant tracking system for recruiters is key to streamlining your hiring process. From automating tasks to improving candidate experiences, an ATS simplifies recruitment. It helps you post jobs, manage candidates, and reduce manual efforts. By doing so, you save time and make better hiring decisions.
However, the technology behind ATS platforms is always evolving. It’s important to stay updated on the latest features and trends. AI-driven screening, bias reduction, and mobile optimization are just the beginning. As recruitment continues to advance, adapting to new tools ensures your process remains efficient and competitive.
We hope you get the necessary insight into the best ATS options and ensure you’re always ahead in finding the best talent.
Redrob offers you one of the most powerful ATS and all-in-one hiring solutions to make hiring easier, faster and more sophisticated for you. Not only can you save 60% of candidate screening time with our comprehensive ATS, but also reduce costs by 88% and overall hiring time by 92%.
Want to trust us? Get to know us better.