In the world of modern recruitment, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) have become indispensable tools for HR teams. With numerous options available, making the right choice can be a daunting task. In this blog, we will guide you through what an ATS is, why they are used, and how to choose the right one for your business.

What is an ATS?

An ATS, or Applicant Tracking System, is a software application designed to streamline the recruitment process. Essentially, it serves as a central hub for managing job applications and candidate information, making it easier for HR teams to handle every aspect of the hiring process.

Why is an ATS Used?

An ATS offers a range of benefits that can significantly enhance the efficiency of HR teams:

• Efficient Candidate Management: Allows HR teams to organize, sort, and search through candidates, making it simpler to identify the most qualified applicants.

• Automated Screening: Automatically screen and filter candidates based on predefined criteria, saving time, and ensuring the most suitable candidates make it to the next stage.

• Compliance and Reporting: ATS platforms help maintain compliance with labor laws and regulations by documenting the entire hiring process.

• Enhanced Candidate Experience: With automated email responses and status updates, an ATS can help maintain a positive candidate experience, even for those who are not selected.

What Are My Options?

Selecting the right Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a critical decision that directly influences your hiring processes. As businesses vary in size and needs, a plethora of ATS options cater to diverse requirements. 

For small businesses, user-friendly platforms may offer the simplicity and affordability desired.

Medium-sized enterprises could benefit from feature-rich solutions, providing scalable and customizable tools.

Large enterprises with complex talent management needs may find comprehensive solutions suitable for seamless integration. 

Evaluating your company's size, industry, and specific hiring demands is paramount in making an informed decision and ensuring that your chosen ATS aligns perfectly with your organizational goals. We provided some examples for each below.

Small Business

Greenhouse: Distinguishes itself with a reputation for a convenient interface and a dedicated focus on enhancing the candidate experience. Greenhouse excels in customer service, ensuring all clients receive optimal support. 

Symplr: Stands out for its strong emphasis on compliance standards and its capability to manage a high volume of applicants. Additionally, Symplr is recognized for its powerful analytics, providing valuable insights.

JazzHR: Offers a user-friendly and affordable solution to streamline your hiring process. It stands out with its intuitive interface and customizable workflows, allowing small teams to manage their recruitment efficiently. JazzHR's strength lies in its ability to automate many aspects of the hiring process, saving valuable time for small business owners and HR managers.

Medium Sized Enterprises

UKG: Stands out for its broad suite of features and its adaptability to the evolving needs of businesses. Offering an easy-to-use interface and integration with UKG products, it presents an attractive option for companies in search of a unified HR system. 

Ceridian: Known for its emphasis on compliance and its capacity to manage a high volume of applicants. Ceridian’s standout feature is the extensive analytics, making it an optimal choice for detailed tracking recruiting data. 

iCIMS: Celebrated for its focus on candidate experience and its proficiency in automating recruiting tasks. Using desktop and mobile interfaces, and vast integrations into various platforms, iCIMS offers a solution to enhance recruitment processes.

Lever: Combines powerful applicant tracking with proactive sourcing and advanced analytics. Its standout feature is the seamless integration of customer relationship management (CRM) functionality, enabling a more strategic approach to talent acquisition. Lever's emphasis on collaboration tools makes it an excellent choice for companies with distributed hiring teams, fostering better communication.

Large Enterprises

Oracle Taleo: Widely admired for its intuitive interface and efficient handling of a high volume of applicants. Oracle Taelo’s strength lies in robust integration capabilities, making it an optimal choice for companies already utilizing Oracle. 

Workday: Celebrated for its comprehensive suite of HR features, Workday's vigorous reporting statistics position it as an excellent option for enterprise organizations seeking scalable solutions that can grow. 

SAP SuccessFactors: Recognized for its potent analytics, SAP can be customized to align with the unique needs of your business, offering flexibility within the SAP framework.

Jobvite: Offers a comprehensive talent acquisition suite. It distinguishes itself with advanced AI-powered features, including intelligent candidate matching and predictive analytics. Jobvite's robust integration capabilities and highly customizable workflows make it ideal for enterprises with unique hiring processes across different departments or global locations. Its strength lies in providing deep insights into recruitment metrics, helping large companies optimize their hiring strategies at scale.

Choosing the Right ATS for Your HR Team

When selecting the right ATS for your HR team, it's crucial to consider factors such as the size of your organization, your industry, budget, and specific hiring needs. Here are some key steps to help you make an informed decision. 

• Assess Your Needs: Identify the specific features and functionalities your HR team requires while considering your current and future recruitment goals.

• Budget Considerations: Determine your budget and evaluate the pricing models offered by different ATS providers. Keep in mind that while ATS can be an investment, it can also lead to substantial cost savings in the long run.

• User-Friendly Interface: Ensure that the chosen ATS is user-friendly, as this will be crucial for your HR team's efficiency and productivity.

• Integration Capabilities: If your organization relies on other HR or management tools, ensure that the chosen ATS integrates seamlessly with them.

• Scalability: Consider the future growth of your organization. Your ATS should be able to accommodate your evolving hiring needs.

• User Feedback and Reviews: Research online reviews and get feedback from other HR professionals who have experience with the ATS you're considering.

Additionally, it's highly recommended that you involve your background investigation provider in the decision-making process. In fact, you may want to pick your provider before finalizing your ATS choice, as the two are closely intertwined.

Background screening providers are usually integrated with many ATS platforms. For example, Commercial Investigations LLC is integrated with over 65 different systems.  

Providers will have first-hand knowledge of how easy or difficult a particular ATS company is to work with, insight into what platforms others in your industry select, and can help navigate any set up fees or additional costs.

By partnering with a background check provider first, employers gain flexibility in the options available to them, and can hit the ground running with an ATS they know will integrate seamlessly.

In conclusion, selecting the right ATS for your HR team is a crucial decision that can significantly impact your recruitment processes. Remember that the best choice depends on your unique requirements, so assess your needs carefully and take the time to compare options before making your decision. 

With the right ATS, your HR team can streamline the hiring process, improve candidate experiences, and make data-driven decisions, ultimately contributing to the success of your organization.

Use the button below to contact CI to help make the right ATS decision.

Commercial Investigations LLC was not paid or endorsed to create this article