This way, you’ll also see which ones are currently active in the process and which ones have been rejected or accepted. With the information all in one place, the system can also help you narrow down to the most qualified applicants you have. This ensures your company doesn’t miss out on potentially good talent.
A credible applicant tracking system will help you streamline the hiring and screening process. To make sure you invest in a reliable ATS, below is a list of features you must take note of:
User-Friendly Interface
The best applicant tracking system is created with simplicity in mind. They’re easy to navigate and understand, even if you’re not an information technology (IT) expert or a web developer. Even if you have an assistant who knows how to use the system, they can’t always be there when an applicant emails with questions about their application status.
With a user-friendly interface, you’ll be able to manage your recruitment process and communicate with candidates more efficiently. This makes the system easier to use, encouraging users to spend more time on it and learn how to use it. As a result, your human resources (HR) team and applicants can perform their tasks more efficiently.
Built-In Communication Tools
Recruiters and managers should be able to constantly communicate throughout the recruiting process to make sure both are on the same page. Both recruiters and managers should agree on the skills, talent, and background that the ‘ideal candidate’ should have.
With that, you must look for an ATS with built-in communication tools like email integration, SMS texting, and calendar sync. If your ATS has these features, you can instantly share information about candidates with other team members without having to paste data into separate communications channels. In turn, you can save time while keeping everyone on the same page during the hiring process.
Built-in communication tools are also useful when communicating with applicants. You can reach shortlisted applicants with a templated email or even send rejected applicants with a thank you note.
Real-Time Reporting Dashboards
During the recruitment process, you need to gain in-depth insights into how long it takes to receive and process an initial application. A reliable ATS can also help you implement a uniform and consistent screening process that can efficiently compare the skills, background, and experience of each candidate.
With the help of innovative ATS, you have the power to customize your settings, allowing you to adjust metrics and qualifications. You can also choose which fields from your applicant database you want to show on each dashboard page. As a result, you can easily change what information is vital for your business and which metrics are most relevant at any given time.
Automated Candidate Matching
Social media is an excellent way to find top talent. But it’s not enough to look at the candidate’s profile on LinkedIn or Facebook. You must also consider if they fit into your company culture, values, and mission statement. Additionally, you must be able to search for candidates by their interests, skills, and experience level that matches the needs of your business.
When your ATS has automated candidate matching tools, you’ll be able to streamline the process of finding qualified candidates by helping you find potential matches based on social media profiles. Social media integrations allow recruiters to search for candidates on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter sites. Similarly, browser extensions allow recruiters to search for potential candidates on job boards or websites they visit throughout the day.
Applicant Flow Management
The primary purpose of applicant flow management is to reduce time spent on administrative tasks, like manually tracking applications. Automating these repetitive tasks can free up more time to focus on recruiting and interviewing candidates. With that, you can identify top-performing candidates early in the hiring process and see who’s applying for your open positions.
With applicant flow management tools like pipeline management and advanced search, you can see all candidates in one place. This feature allows you to view all applicants currently under consideration for an interview. In turn, you can easily track where your applicants stand in the hiring process and ensure you keep in touch with them.
Data Compliance
Data compliance is a growing concern for recruiters looking to attract and hire talent. Data privacy laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), require companies to comply with all aspects of data privacy law, including how to handle recruitment data.
Innovative ATS includes a data compliance feature to ensure that all data in the system complies with the law. With this feature, you can always stay compliant with regulations and best practices in protecting confidential candidate data. As a result, your company can save money and time in the long run because you won’t get into any legal trouble because of your inaction.
Feedback Management
A lot of things can affect your company’s reputation, and the hiring process is one of those. For some job seekers, the screening and hiring experience is already a prelude to the culture and management style of the company. So, if your hiring process is organized and respectful of the time and effort of each applicant, that reflects very positively on the company culture and reputation.
An ATS with a feedback management feature can help you gain insights from your talent pool. With this, you can identify undesirable aspects of your screening and hiring process and improve on them. These insights don’t just have to be from successful applicants, an ATS can also gather feedback from unsuccessful prospects.
Key Takeaway
Investing in an ATS will do wonders for your recruitment department. With all applicant information in one platform, it gets easier to screen, track, and hire the right talent for your company.
With other features, an ATS will do more than just improve the hiring and screening process of your company. Built-in communication tools, for example, can help the recruitment and management teams collaborate easily in the selection of candidates. It’s best to take note of the features mentioned above and make sure your chosen ATS has those capabilities to maximize your investment.
