Streamlining Hiring with Powerful ATS Software

As companies grow, finding the right people to help them move forward can make the difference between success and stagnation. The Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software could be the key to moving through the success avenue—at full speed.

An Applicant Tracking System is a software that automates and streamlines different stages of the hiring process, allowing HR professionals to avoid sifting through stacks of resumes and playing email tag with candidates. Since it covers many phases of the hiring lifecycle, from posting job openings to screening resumes and tracking candidate progress, an applicant tracking system makes hiring much easier.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss the power of these platforms in streamlining your hiring process, from attracting candidates all the way to onboarding. 

Challenges in Traditional Hiring Methods

Traditional hiring methods are rooted in the past, consuming an excessive amount of time and energy. Not to mention, the high turnover rates in many industries mean that the demand to hire new talent could knock on the HR team’s door a lot more frequently than expected.

On top of that, the lack of centralized data management in traditional hiring makes it tough to keep track of candidates’ progress. Without solid analytics, it’s difficult to know if your recruitment strategies are actually paying off. And sticking to old-school methods can lead to biases in candidate selection, which can seriously hold back diversity and inclusivity efforts.

Given these challenges, there’s a clear need for a more efficient approach. Businesses need to turn to modern solutions to stay competitive. Besides failing to meet the company's current needs, a weak hiring process with unnecessary steps could even turn top talent off from the search. Companies need to avoid these outcomes while streamlining hiring. That’s where ATS software comes in.

The Role of ATS Software

ATS software is an excellent ally in the hiring process. For HR teams, it’s like having an extra set of hands to manage job postings, sift through resumes, and keep track of candidate progress, all without missing a beat.

Here are some of the uses of an applicant tracking system:

Job posting management

ATS software allows recruiters to create and post job openings across multiple platforms, saving time and ensuring that the job postings reach a wider audience. Companies can even set up their own Careers page directly from the ATS. Some solutions, such as TalentHR, also incorporate AI to write a compelling job description just based on the job title.

Resume screening

Manual resume screening can be a time-consuming task. ATS software simplifies this process by automatically scanning resumes for specific keywords, qualifications, and experience. Recruiters can set specific criteria, and the software filters out resumes that do not meet the requirements. 

Candidate Tracking

ATS software provides a centralized database where recruiters can store and access candidate information, such as resumes, cover letters, interview notes, and communication history, throughout the hiring process.

Candidate relationship management

This software helps recruiters build and maintain relationships with candidates with email templates, for example. Specific solutions even allow onboarding the candidate once the new employee has signed their contract.

Benefits of ATS Software

ATS software is more than just about numbers and algorithms—it’s about connecting with people and leveling up your employer brand. It shapes how companies reach out to, evaluate, and stay in touch with candidates. Here are some ways in which applicant tracking systems can maximize your recruitment efforts:

1. Improved Candidate Experience

ATS software keeps candidates in the loop with prompt updates, specially designed interactions, and a user-friendly hiring journey. It includes notifications about application status and help with scheduling interviews. This leaves candidates with an approving impression of the company. 

After all, we must remember that, right now, the job market is candidate-driven, which means making a good impression is a must for attracting top talent. With a platform that allows companies to follow-up with the talent and keep them in the loop, candidates feel valued and engaged every step of the way, which reduces the chances they'll drop out.

2. Streamlined Administrative Tasks Thanks to Automation

With an ATS, tasks like data entry and resume screening are streamlined, leaving recruiters free to focus on what really matters—building connections with candidates and conducting meaningful interviews. With recruiters freed from mind-numbing tasks, they can dedicate more time to developing relationships with candidates and ensuring they have a favorable view of your company. 

After all, a company’s reputation is so influential that it can both lure in or scare away candidates. Research shows that even if the pay is good, most people will steer clear of a company with a bad reputation or unhealthy culture. 

Here are some tasks that can be automated through ATS:

• Data entry: Application Tracking Systems automates the process of collecting and organizing applicant data.
• Interview scheduling: These platforms can schedule interviews by sending out invitations, coordinating availability, and sending reminders to both recruiters and candidates.
• Application management: This software can manage the entire application process, including collecting and organizing applications, tracking candidate progress, and storing applicant data in a centralized database.
• Onboarding and orientation workflow: ATS software can automate the onboarding process by sending out the necessary paperwork, providing access to training materials, and tracking the progress of new hires.

3. Improved Collaboration

But wait, ATS software isn’t just about automating tasks—it’s also great for collaboration. It brings recruiters and hiring managers together on one platform, making it easy to access candidate info, exchange feedback, and work together on evaluations.

Here are some specific ways that ATS software can improve collaboration:

• Access to candidate information: Recruiters and hiring managers can access candidate information from a centralized database.
• Collaborative evaluation: Recruiters can rate and provide comments on candidates, compare notes, and discuss their assessments within the system
• Status updates: Hiring managers can update the status of candidates, such as moving them through different stages of the hiring process.

4. Effortless Filtering of Unqualified Candidates

ATS software scans resumes for just the right keywords and qualifications. Recruiters set the criteria, then sit back, and let the software do its thing, automatically sifting and screening through resumes. This saves time and effort and ensures that only the best of the best makes it to the next round. A built-in filter fine-tunes the hiring process, making it faster and more targeted. 

And trust us, it’s absolutely necessary to filter out, to put it bluntly, irrelevant candidates that don’t meet your criteria. Research from staffing firms shows that about three-quarters of applicants aren’t actually qualified for the roles they apply for. Plus, most job seekers admit they would apply for a position even if they don’t meet all the qualifications. That’s a lot of resume-reading for nothing. With ATS software, recruiters can cut through the noise and focus on the candidates who actually match the job requirements.

5. Guaranteed Compliance and Reporting

ATS software is a key ally in helping companies ensure compliance with hiring laws and regulations. Providing a secure platform for storing applicant data ensures confidentiality and data protection. Again—reputation is everything, so don’t leave anything up to the impulses of fate.

Plus, ATS software generates reports on key hiring metrics, like time-to-fill, source of hire, and diversity statistics. These reports assist in compliance audits and support data-driven decision-making.

6. Reduced Time and Costs

The most immediate benefit of using ATS software is its significant time and cost savings. By streamlining processes, cutting down on manual errors, and improving the hiring workflow, ATS software allows HR teams to achieve more in less time, ultimately leading to cost savings and a better ROI for the organization.

Additionally, the streamlined hiring process reduces administrative overhead and brings on faster time-to-fill vacancies, lowering the cost associated with extended job vacancies.

Optimize Your Hiring Process with TalentHR’s ATS Software

ATS software is a game-changer for how companies connect with potential hires—94% of hiring professionals using ATS software say it improves their hiring process. By streamlining hiring, ATS ensures thorough candidate screening and perfect role matches. This means better hires and lower turnover rates.

Level up your hiring outcomes by exploring TalentHR, our all-in-one HRIS platform with an AI-infused ATS. Our ATS software saves time, money, and stress—all while helping you find the perfect candidates for your team. Register now for free.

To learn more about how you can capitalize on our ATS software, visit TalentHR.