Best ATS Software for Your Business

What is an Applicant Tracking System?

When you apply for a job, your resume isn't directly going to a recruiter or a hiring manager. Applicant Tracking Systems are processing it.

Applicant Tracking System software is an application that organizes and sorts job applicants. It simplifies the recruitment process by providing a centralized platform. Here, a recruiter can view the applicants and track their progress through the hiring process. He can also filter them based on their qualifications. Many ATS systems are accessible online.

How Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Helps in Running your Business Effectively?

Organizations use applicant tracking systems to streamline their recruitment process. They help increase employers’ social reach by targeting the right candidates. Moreover, ATS stores candidate information in a single database and easily filters the right candidates. Let us have a look at some of the reasons why organizations should use an applicant tracking system. 

1. Time-Saving Functions

Applicant tracking systems automate job board postings and resume submission processes. Thus, HR professionals need not maintain spreadsheets and fill in data manually. Moreover, ATS has features like candidate screening that help organizations save time on unqualified candidates. All these features and functionalities can help functionalities that boosts the recruiter’s productivity. 

2. Enhanced Efficiency

Human Resource (HR) professionals can easily manage and track incoming applicants. Companies can organize their data and make it accessible to the hiring team. Also, a job applicant tracking software allows organizations to standardize recruitment metrics and supports better decision-making. Thus, helping companies find the best candidates and make the right hiring decision.

3. Enhance Candidate Experience

Applicant tracking system software adds value to your recruitment process by making it more engaging. It helps the hiring team stay connected with the candidates and provide them with timely updates. This further helps candidates gauge the organization’s work processes and make informed decisions. Thus, an ATS enhances the candidate experience and builds a positive image of the organization.

Benefits of Using An Applicant Tracking System

Here are some benefits of using an applicant tracking software system for your business:

1. Reduces Time Spent on Administrative Tasks

Organizations can reduce the time spent on administrative tasks by using ATS. The software keeps track of all candidate-related activities and stores it for easy viewing and analysis. Thus, saving manual labor and the hours of time spent on maintaining databases. 

2. Allows Fast Screening of CVs to Accelerate the Process of Hiring

With ATS software, recruiters can expedite the process of screening candidates and finding the candidates that best suit their profile. 

3. Allows Posting of Jobs on Various Third-Party Platforms And Social Media Platforms

An ATS provides access to various third-party platforms and allows easy sharing on social media platforms.

4. 3-Level Screening of CVs 

Applicant tracking systems scan candidates' CV in multiple ways, including their qualifications, experience, and skillsets. This reduces the work of the HR professionals, and they can focus better on hiring. 

Features of ATS Systems Or Candidate Management Systems

Here are some of the key features of applicant tracking systems. 

1. Candidate Screening

Checking a hundred resumes is not easy. Applicant tracking systems provide candidate screening tools that organize CV’s in a searchable format. This enables the recruiters to filter the entire database and fetch the relevant profiles. Moreover, it also provides customizable collaboration tools that can help companies gain a competitive edge. 

2. Resume Storage

Each time when someone applies for a job position, their resume gets stored in the applicant tracking system for recruiters. Even after the position gets filled, the software holds onto all the applications. Recruiters can use this to hire additional employees or if they think the candidate would be a better fit for another position. Moreover, with real-time analytics and valuable insights into the recruiting process, ATS software helps you redefine employment metrics.

3. Team Collaboration

With job applicant tracking software system, team members can work together in the hiring process on a single platform. HR professionals can easily share the CVs or applicant’s information with their colleagues, assign different roles to each team member, and also control who has access to which information. This can help the HR in the selection process and efficient talent management. 

4. Interview Schedulers

With this feature, HR can communicate with the applicants, ask them questions, and also schedule interviews. The applicant tracking system software automatically sends a reminder to the company and the candidate before the interview starts. 

5. Social Sharing

Social media can prove to be a helpful tool in the recruitment process. Many top applicant tracking systems offer options for social media sharing. Thus, organizations can easily post job openings on multiple social media platforms with a single click. This in turn, helps reach more potential candidates and also enables them to apply directly from their desktops or smartphones. 

Things You Need To Know About Candidate Applicant Tracking System

Here are some things you should know about the innovative applicant tracking system:

1. Easy Resume Sorting

98% of Fortune 500 companies use candidate applicant tracking systems software to sort thousands of resumes and pick the right candidates for interviews.

2. Genuine Vs Stuffed Keywords 

Even though the best ATS software solutions use keywords to filter tons of resumes, they are designed to differentiate when the keywords are genuinely used and when they have been stuffed. 

3. Design Resumes to Get Better Rankings

Job seekers can design their resumes according to online applicant tracking system software to get better rankings in the sorting process.

4. Picks up the Best Resumes

Applicant tracking software looks for major skills designated by the company; based on that; they pick the best resumes.

5. Social Media Mapping 

ATS also takes a look at a candidate’s social media profile and displays it to recruiters. This helps them better understand the candidate's interests and likes. 

Software Related To ATS System Software

In this segment, we will look at the best applicant tracking software that most Fortune 500 companies use. These ATS solutions are trusted by the most famous brands of the world and carry a wide suite of features. Here is the list of applicant tracking software that we will discuss:

1. Workday

2. iCIMS

3. BrassRing

4. Taleo

5. SilkRoad

Let’s understand these ATS solutions' offerings and know which Fortune 500 company is using it.

1. Workday

The first candidate applicant system is Workday, which is accepted by many good companies worldwide. One of its clients is 3M - An American conglomerate. Workday is a recruiting system comprising of a web-based applicant tracking system with a lot of exciting features. Coca-cola is also among its list of most privileged clients. Here are some amazing features by this ATS:

1. It provides a centralized solution to staffing and managing multinational workforces.

2. It offers various features like candidate tracking, Internal HR, interview scheduling, resume parsing, resume searching and filtering, onboarding, etc., in applicant tracking.

3. Workday does not have a linear process. It is configurable software.

4. You can design and execute your own way of workflow.

5. The online applicant tracking software is very flexible regarding modifications in the filtering process. So if you want to move forward any resume that is against your own automation, the ATS will allow it.

6. You can modify the candidate grid in the most preferred way you like.

2. iCIMS

Lying among the top applicant tracking software in the world, second, we have iCIMS talent platform used by Allstate - One of the biggest insurance companies in the world. iCIMS is a web-based applicant tracking software providing a wide range of features. Let’s have a look at some of its features:

1. Searching and reporting functionalities

2. Manage communications with talent pools over social platforms simultaneously.

3. You can post job requirements and open on third-party applications by integrating your social accounts with the web-based applicant tracking software.

4. Applicants can submit videos for better exposure of their skills or technical rounds of interviews.  

5. You can store endless resumes and files to maintain records for future reference.

6. You can run employee referral programs for existing employees using the web-based applicant tracking system itself.

7. You can automate email campaigns to send pre-designed emails to selected applicants for an interview or other notifications.

8. It gives you an entire matrix to track and evaluate the progress of the recruiting process.

3. BrassRing

Amongst the best applicant tracking systems, the third we have is an ATS trusted by Lockheed Martin - An American Defence & Aerospace company. Here are some of the features provided by BrassRing’s cloud-based applicant tracking system:

1. You can execute the behavioral assessment of applicants.

2. It allows you to analyze workforce data and offers conclusions.

3. Carries employee engagement surveys.

4. You can run marketing campaigns using this online applicant tracking system.

5. You can execute the onboarding process straight from the platform.

6. This web-based applicant tracking software is offered by IBM and offers ease of use and simple implementation.

4. Taleo

Taleo is one of the most popular applicant tracking systems by Oracle. Taleo is trusted by many global brands, including Nike - One of the world’s biggest sportswear manufacturers. Let’s have a look at some of the features that make it one of the best applicant tracking software in the world:

1. It’s a web-based applicant tracking software so recruiters will save a lot of money in the hiring process.

2. The system runs on the cloud so that recruiters can access the details anywhere and anytime. They don’t have to be dependent on a certain physical system.

3. The system has individual onboarding facilities for each employee to maintain the records.

4. Recruiters can post job openings on third-party and social media platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook.

5. It has a strong suite of training for newbies and employees.

5. SilkRoad

SilkRoad is among the top applicant tracking software trusted by many multinational brands, including United Natural Foods - One of the biggest Grocery store companies in the world. It is a cloud-based ATS designed to attract the right talent for recruiters. Here are some exciting offerings from SilkRoad:

1. Allows job posting on third-party platforms like Monster.com, Indeed, Glassdoor, and Job Search.

2. The ATS allows recruiters to post jobs on social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, etc.

3. Recruiters can set up specific requirements, and the system will automatically sort the best resume based on that.

4. Recruiters can search for the right candidate from the database using various filters and sorting options.

Most Affordable Applicant Tracking System For Small Business

After looking at 5 of the best applicant tracking software, let’s look at some of the most affordable applicant tracking software for small businesses. This software has been listed among the top 10 applicant tracking systems by PCmag. Here we have the list of applicant tracking software best suited for small businesses and startups:

1. BambooHR

2. Zoho Recruit

3. Workable

4. Cezanne OnDemand

Let’s examine these solutions and why small businesses should choose them. These 4 ATSs are affordable and are best suited for small businesses.

1. BambooHR

Ranking first on the top 10 applicant tracking systems by PCmag, here we have a perfect option for small businesses - BambooHR. It is software specifically designed for small and medium-scale businesses with many exciting features.

You’ll get all the basic features of a recruiter with an interactive and clean user interface. The software has a clean design and no questions about the performance. If you’re using another software for your HR and payroll purposes, BambooHR has an OpenAPI that allows you to integrate with your current tool.

BambooHR gathers every feature you need as a recruiter, like filtering and sorting resumes, posting job ads on social and third-party platforms, conducting email campaigns, etc. It is truly one of the best applicant tracking systems for small businesses. BambooHR is also a great applicant-tracking software for staffing agencies since the business focuses on finding the right talent for its clients.

2. Zoho Recruit

Zoho Recruit is our second pick for small businesses' best applicant tracking system. Because of its affordable pricing structure, even for the highest packages, we have found it to be a great option for small businesses and agencies.

Securing space among the best ATS software solutions, Zoho recruits offer various features like job listing & data input, social dashboard, and integration with the Zoho ecosystem, easy integrations with other products from the Zoho suite, resume filtering and sorting, and many more.

If you already have used any of the Zoho products, you should go for Zoho Recruit, as it will add more value to your database and increase your level of comfort with your data management.

3. Workable

One of the finest qualities of Workable is that it has been developed in such a way that every type of business can use this product, whether it’s a small agency or a giant enterprise. It is a focused applicant tracking system offering every essential feature that a recruiter needs.

Workable comes with a customizable interface best suited for every kind of user. For a recruiter, it is the easiest system to learn quickly because every element is placed very mindfully.

You can check the progress of any applicant or open from left to right. There are separate tabs to manage jobs, applications, filter candidates, etc. You can clearly see the progress of your recruitment with Workable. Needless to say, you can post jobs on third-party platforms and social.

Just like BambooHR, Workable is a great applicant-tracking software for staffing agencies because of its mindful pricing for small businesses.

4. Cezanne OnDemand

The last on the list we have is a moderate-level ATS for businesses that need basic features with affordable pricing. Small and medium-sized businesses with a limited budget can rely on Cezanne OnDemand to get things done.

You will not find extra human resources features just like those high-end ATSs, but you’ll find every feature you need to find the right employee for your business. Cezanne may be included among the top ATS software solutions, but it is a strong ATS dedicated to small business needs.

It covers all the basic features like personal directories, and files, supports multiple languages and currencies, etc. The software is not designed to handles thousands of employees, but it is clearly designed to manage a few hundred employees of a small business.

Choosing The Right Applicant Tracking System For Your Business

Now we have landed in a section where you can understand how to choose the right ATS for your company. As we have covered a long list of top ATS software, choosing the right one for your business can be intimidating.

1. Define Your Needs

We have covered some of the best ATS software solutions in the world, but not every system will fit your business. To make the right choice, you need to figure out what exactly your needs are. Do you need advanced automation features? Do you need advanced analytics to track every data? What is the expected number of employees are you planning to hire? What is the expected period for constant hiring?

And asking some more logical questions like that, you have to ask the final question.

What is my budget for choosing the ATS?

2. Customizable Workflow

The best ATS software for your company is the software that runs according to your need. And for that, ATS should allow you to design your own customized workflow. By doing this, you will design a process that works according to your company's rules and culture.

3. Analytics

One of the most important features any ATS can offer is advanced analytics that shows the status of your recruiting process. With analytics, you can measure your recruiting progress and make the necessary changes.

4. Integrations

In the hiring process, you will need to connect your system with various other platforms, whether a third-party job portal or social media platform. Without integration facilities, you will stretch your work and eventually hamper your productivity.

Basically, any ATS that can work according to your needs and offer time-saving features is the best ATS software for your business. Remember this one more time: you are not looking for the most popular ATS software solutions you are looking for the right one.

What are the Key Functions of ATS Software?

A system that monitors candidates also called an ATS, is a software program that automates the recruitment process. Although initially developed to help in compliance as a storage tool for work applications, today's ATS systems coordinate and streamline the recruiting process from “source to hire.”

Practices in traditional recruiting, such as database management and email chains, fall far short when faced with the demands in today's fast-paced, dynamic job market. ATS software, with a centralized database, improves the productivity and functionality of recruiters, hiring managers, and HR teams.

The key functions of ATS software include the following;

1. Real-Time Analytics

ATS solutions offer analytical methods for assessing the effectiveness of the hiring and recruitment process. Hiring experts can proactively use real-time data to estimate staffing needs, develop a hiring pipeline, manage an active workforce at capability, and logically deduce the fundamental cost, quality, and time metrics within their hiring function.

2. Interactive Job Opening and Career Pages

Various aspirants want to become a part of different organizations. Through a candidate tracking system, companies can automate the candidate - company interaction process. Having an interactive career page on the company website is crucial because it showcases the values and culture of the organization. ATS allows companies to publish infographics, images, corresponding descriptions, and professional media handles.

3. Optimized Recruitment Plan

An end-to-end recruitment plan in today's tight labor market is crucial. A recruiting professional will attract and connect potential job applicants to its employer brand with a successful strategy and rigorous ATS. It can be accomplished through a diverse range of approaches, including; programmed work ads, CRM promotions, conferences, promotions on social media, partnerships, and referrals.

4. Smart On-Boarding Functionality

When a company hires new employees, the new recruits must undergo the onboarding process. Using an onboard candidate monitoring device will speed up the recruiting process and can fill the open role effectively. Most operations start by welcoming the team of recruits, introducing them to the firm, and explaining what to expect. Companies can add resource pages to reach the recruit, including breakdowns of workplace benefits and other essential information.

Applicant Tracking Software Applications for Different Business Sizes

Choosing an applicant tracking tool is better perceived as selecting a strategic business partner, rather than only selecting a software provider. Companies need a vendor that satisfy the rapidly changing requirement processes.

Various business sizes and types need different functionalities. So it's important to consider standard ATS applications to ensure an ethical culture match for the software that the organization uses.

1. ATS for Large Enterprises

Large organizations need a monitoring system for applicants which is compatible with their existing HR or ERP systems. Multinational companies require useful collaboration features to exchange data from candidates and seek input from hiring managers. Large enterprises with outdated applications, therefore, require a high-scale ATS tool. The system should ensure that the ATS fits seamlessly with the existing infrastructure.

2. ATS for Medium-Sized Agencies

Medium-sized agencies require many of the same features as businesses for high-volume recruitment. But big organizations also need additional features, such as customer relationship management (CRM) system capabilities, to address customer needs. Medium-sized agencies, on the other hand, should consider proceeding with software that doesn’t teach heavy-end features. Such companies should opt for ATS tools with unique benefits and features that simplify their existing model.

3. ATS for Small-to-Medium Sized Businesses (SMBs)

Small and medium-sized companies reap the benefits of an enterprise ATS more simply and economically. Their approach towards implementing software is thoroughly curated; therefore, they don’t require a compelling system. The purpose they keep in mind, and the associated ROI they predict is also entirely different from that of the larger enterprises. Bear in mind that applicant tracking software tools are continually changing. Hence select a product based on its features and capabilities rather than its on-page perks.

Keys to Selecting an Applicant Tracking System

Choosing the right Applicant Tracking tools is crucial as it is a one-time investment. ATS will help you in selecting the right candidates for the job. So you must choose the right ATS software.

Below are the key points to keep in mind while looking for a candidate tracking system:

1. Appealing and Engaging

The recruitment process starts with the number of applicants and the quality they hold. A sound ATS system should attract more quality profiles to choose from. It should be able to build such an experience with prospects that it encourages them to apply for the job. Social media recruiting, mobile applications, posting on job boards, and customized career pages are some of the appealing features of ATS software.

2. Communication and Interview

After getting the prospects for the open position comes the phase where ATS communicates with those candidates. Good ATS software should manage the applicants and drive them through interviews. This may include automated email, arranging tools for the hiring manager, high-level workflows, interview scheduling, and interview results.

3. Selection and Onboard

If the selected candidates are not ready to join the organization, then the ATS software and the whole process fail. To avoid this, you must choose an ATS system that effectively works on approaching candidates to successfully onboard them. It should be able to work on virtual offer letters, orientation, background checks, selection processes, and reporting.

How does the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Work?

Applicant tracking systems serve as an employer's online monitor or security officer. The candidate tracking system breaks and analyzes the content of a resume. Then checks it for unique keywords to evaluate whether to send the application to the recruiter. Its role is to filter out unfit candidates so that the hiring manager can dedicate time to assessing job-fit candidates. The ATS is inclined to dump away the least eligible resumes concerning the job position.

There are certain parameters based on which the ATS system filters out the applications:

1. File Type

The PDF file type is not fully compliant with ATS applications. It may not be able to scan large PDF files and rejects them without even screening.

2. Keywords

ATS system matches the soft skills and hard skills in resumes with the job requirements. These skills are the keywords, and ATS software looks for these in resumes. It rejects the least relevant ones.

3. Images and Graphics

Images, charts, and graphics may seem admirable to the interviewer, but the ATS system ignores these applications. It passes on attractive yet straightforward resumes only.

4. Font

The applicant tracking tools admire resumes that include simple font and bullet points. The candidate tracking system straightforwardly rejects complicated and unusual constructions.

The Latest Buyers’ Trends in Applicant Tracking Software

Costly and labor-intensive human resources is a burden on operating costs for business. Recruitments that don't work out add additional expenses. A study by The Center for American Progress estimates that replacing the worker costs 20 percent of a worker's salary. An active recruiting cycle that secures the right employee who becomes a dedicated business resource is an integral component of the expense-containment equation for HR.

This is the buyer’s perspective of an ideal ATS system: 

1. A Compliant and Secure System

For many applications that companies use, there is a lot of confidential data, and they must adhere to strict policies. Software that can bring with itself a set of risk-mitigation features is the one-stop solution to the problem. Buyers seek such ATS software, and as for security, the one that provides the highest safety always gets the priority.

2. A Move on from the Existing Mechanism

The buyer's trend from 2014 was quite different when ATS was gaining momentum. The need to improve productivity was still the key reason buyers sought in an ATS system. The buyers aimed for company growth; therefore, the percentage of customers searching for software nearly doubled in 2014, as per SoftwareAdvice. People understood the need for an ATS system gradually. Just 11 percent of buyers indicated in 2013 that they were looking to buy software because their current system could not sustain their business growth. The figure grew up to 18 percent in 2014 and has not observed a dip since.

3. Automation for Job Postings

Automation for Job Postings: Buyers want the ATS system to schedule and post new job positions. It relates to supervised automation, where some functionalities are addressed manually while most are automated. This feature became a sustainable trend and was also the most demanded feature in recent years. For any ATS developer, the inclusion of automation for new job profiles is a necessity.

Market Research and Analysis For ATS System

ATS systems are gaining rapid popularity all over the world. Since applicant tracking software automates the screening and job application posting processes across various portals, most organizations are adopting this technology. It is important for organizations to remain aware of the latest trends in the ATS solutions industry. Here are some market research and analysis that throws light on the applicant tracking software:

1. With the increase in globalization, companies' human resource departments face pressure to tap into the best market talent. Automating many basic recruitment processes, such as the manual screening of resumes and posting on job portals, is necessary. ATS solutions serve as a comprehensive platform to automate repetitive tasks and reduce the IT workload associated with the process of recruitment.
    
2. The applicant tracking system market is growing at a fast pace. The ATS market is projected to reach USD 2.34 billion by 2026. It will also experience a CAGR of 8% in the period mentioned above.
    
3. Cloud deployment is expected to hold a majority of the share in the ATS market. This is primarily because it allows for better data storage, free accessibility, and a higher degree of mobility for all organizational team members.
    
4. North America is the leading region in terms of the ATS market share. This is because the North American market is advanced in adopting innovative technologies propelled by artificial intelligence.
    
5. There will be an increase in the adoption of automated applicant tracking systems in many other geographical areas. Other emerging regions where a surge is expected in demand for applicant tracking software include European nations and Asia (particularly India and China)

 

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