People are the fundamental source of value for companies today. The smartest businesses know that talent is their competitive advantage. Recruiting the right candidates at the right time is paramount. This is why companies use Applicant Tracking Systems. AT Systems are software helping companies organise candidates recruitment purposes. They allow businesses to streamline applicants based on filters, set by the hiring company.
Though ATS can be used by companies of all sizes, they happen to be particularly useful for bigger businesses, who hire regularly or who receive large numbers of applications. Companies struggling to manage the workload generated by large pools of applicants can see significant improvements in the efficiency of the streamlined process.
75% of recruiters use some sort of applicant tracking system. Automating long, repetitive hiring processes can save time and money. However, choosing the right software solution, adapted to your needs is crucial for a positive return on investment.
What is an Applicant Tracking System? How does it work?
Applicant Tracking Systems simplify recruitment processes by using artificial intelligence to select the best possible hires. Among a pool of many candidates, the software electronically handles, ‘weeds out’, those without the necessary qualifications. The best APS use tools such as natural language processing, to screen and sort resumes.
The system allows recruiters to review applications, send automated messages, give online tests, schedule interviews and many other time-consuming elements of the hiring process.
5 questions to ask yourself when choosing an Applicant Tracking System:
There are many ATS on the market, and they all look the same. With a multitude of features, how can we identify the one most appropriate to our needs? Here are some tips for choosing your ATS, and some of the main questions you should ask yourself when choosing it.
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Which features are most important?
Determining the features that are an absolute necessity and those that aren’t is the first step to choosing an ATS. This is the moment where you apply your filters and choose the ATS that most closely matches your needs. Working with other recruiters? Purchase a system that allows collaboration. Enable features allowing you to receive applications directly from job posting websites. Define what you need, what you want, and choose accordingly.
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Web-based or Desktop System?
Purchasing a cloud ATS or desktop software depends on your recruiting needs. A cloud system is accessible through the internet, hence virtually everywhere in the world. A desktop system is only usable on the computer that it is downloaded on. A smaller business might opt for a desktop system, while international companies, travelling recruiters might consider a web-based solution. That was one of the questions we asked ourselves at Catenon. Our services are the global talent acquisition, so we needed a tool that solved a complex equation: attracting candidates from anywhere in the world, evaluating them with consultants located elsewhere on the planet, and present them to clients who were placed in a different country. This is possible thanks to our technological platform: Smapick.
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Standalone Applicant Tracking System or Recruiting Software?
There are different types of applicant tracking systems. Among them, we find standalone ATS, and recruiting software, combining ATS for recruiters and customer relationship management systems. Recruitment software can give more visibility to the recruitment pipeline.
Smaller businesses might opt for the sole ATS, while bigger companies with larger candidate pools might consider purchasing a recruiting software.
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Is it adequate for your business/industry?
Systems unfamiliar with your company size or industry can result in being an inefficient and overall bad investment. APS solution mismatches are common, and it is crucial to look into the different software available. Industry-specific applications are available and provide specific features tailored to distinct recruitment needs.
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Does it have a good candidate experience?
Candidate experience is extremely important. Candidates look up companies before applying, and a bad review has a lot more influence than a good one, potentially hindering your capacity to attract and retain talent. Long and frustrating applications have to be avoided. Your ATS should provide an intuitive and short application system, understandable and usable by everyone.
To sump up, Application Tracking Systems are a revolutionary tool that eases out the recruitment process efficiently. With the number of available systems, it is however imperative to choose one tailored to your needs. An effective ATS will result in competitive advantage and economies of scale. The current needs of recruitment are speed and efficiency. The automated identification of professionals is a task of Big Data. This technology manages millions of data indexed on the Web, and tools are needed to make that process smarter and more efficient, not only for recruiting companies who need to attract talent but also for candidates. Both parties have to deal with long, often ineffective processes, which leave an unpleasant feeling.
The wide range of available systems makes it almost impossible to decide which one is best suited to our business needs. That is why Indra and Catenon have joined together in a joint venture to develop the digital solution that will revolutionize the way we view talent acquisition. “At the moment, many software tools are available to those in charge of selection and business. However, these tools only provide partial solutions to the great challenge of attracting and retaining talent that we face”, says Sergio Martín Guerrerro, Director of Development of Own Solutions of Minsait.
This tool, which will be released soon, will answer all questions and more. All of this to improve the recruitment process, and candidate experience.
Want to know more? Visit: www.catenon.com/talent-tech
