devxlogo

Applicant Tracking System

Definition of Applicant Tracking System

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a software application designed to streamline and automate the recruitment process. It assists organizations in managing job postings, receiving applications, screening candidates, and organizing interviews. An ATS can also aid in evaluating candidate performance and maintaining HR compliance.

Phonetic

The phonetics of the keyword “Applicant Tracking System” can be represented as:/ˈæplɪkÉ™nt ˈtrækɪŋ ˈsɪstÉ™m/Here, the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) symbols represent the following sounds:- /ˈæ/ as in “cat”- /pl/ as in “play”- /ɪ/ as in “bit”- /kÉ™nt/ as in “content”- /ˈtr/ as in “train”- /æk/ as in “back”- /ɪŋ/ as in “thing”- /ˈsɪ/ as in “sit”- /st/ as in “stay”- /É™m/ as in “system”

Key Takeaways

  1. Applicant Tracking Systems streamline the recruitment process by automating job postings, filtering and organizing candidate information, and managing communication.
  2. These systems help save time and resources, ensuring companies acquire the best talent while eliminating potential biases in the selection process.
  3. Optimizing resumes for ATS is crucial, as it increases candidates’ chances of getting noticed by including relevant keywords, clear formatting, and matching job descriptions.

Importance of Applicant Tracking System

The Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a crucial technology term due to its significant role in streamlining and enhancing the recruitment process for both employers and job seekers.

This software tool allows organizations to efficiently manage job applications, sort through resumes, and filter potential candidates using specific keywords or criteria.

By automating repetitive tasks, ATS increases productivity and reduces the likelihood of human error.

Furthermore, it often includes valuable features such as candidate scoring, interview scheduling, and reporting, which aid decision-making.

As a result, ATS has become an indispensable asset in today’s competitive job market, helping organizations ensure a more organized, efficient, and effective recruitment process, while providing a better experience for candidates.

Explanation

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) serves as a crucial tool in the modern recruitment process, streamlining and simplifying the hiring procedure for organizations in various industries. The primary purpose of an ATS is to assist human resource personnel, hiring managers, and recruiters in managing large volumes of job applications and resumes, effectively enabling them to identify the most suitable candidates for a given position.

By automating repetitive tasks, an ATS allows HR professionals to focus their efforts on other essential functions, such as interviewing candidates, nurturing relationships, and refining their overall recruitment strategies. The implementation of an Applicant Tracking System deeply impacts the recruitment experience by harnessing the power of advanced technology.

From receiving and filtering applications to parsing resumes, tracking communications, scheduling interviews, and generating insightful reports, an ATS covers each step in the recruitment lifecycle. With features like customizable resume scoring, keyword highlighting, and skill-based ranking, an ATS ensures that quality candidates don’t get lost in the shuffle.

Moreover, it provides an enhanced level of organization and accessibility that would be challenging to achieve via traditional hiring methods. By utilizing an ATS, companies can not only expedite the hiring process, but also improve the quality of their workforce, achieve better results, and ultimately, drive their overall success.

Examples of Applicant Tracking System

Taleo: Oracle’s Taleo is a cloud-based Applicant Tracking System (ATS) used by companies of all sizes around the world. It helps streamline the recruitment process by automating job postings, filtering applications, scheduling interviews, and managing the entire hiring lifecycle. With its advanced reporting and analytics tools, Taleo allows organizations to measure and improve their recruiting efforts efficiently.

Greenhouse: Greenhouse is a popular Applicant Tracking System among startups and rapidly growing companies. This software is designed to help organizations find the right talent by optimizing every aspect of the hiring process. Greenhouse’s features include efficient sourcing of candidates, structured interview processes, and integration with various job boards. It also offers a robust analytics suite to evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment strategies and return on investment.

Workday Human Capital Management (HCM): Workday HCM is a comprehensive ATS and human resources management solution for organizations of diverse industries and sizes. This cloud-based system covers the entire employee lifecycle, from recruitment to retirement, and offers easy integration with other Workday modules, such as payroll and time tracking. Workday HCM’s Applicant Tracking System assists in efficiently managing job requisitions, resumes, interviews, offers, and onboarding, making it a popular choice for various companies globally.

Applicant Tracking System FAQ

What is an Applicant Tracking System?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a software application that helps companies manage and streamline their recruitment process. It automates various aspects of the hiring process, such as posting job openings, collecting applications, screening resumes, and managing candidate communication.

Why is an ATS important for employers?

An ATS can significantly reduce the time and effort required to manage the recruitment process. It can save employers time by sorting through applications and screening out unqualified candidates. An ATS can also help employers stay organized by keeping all applicant information in one centralized database and track candidates throughout the hiring process.

How does an ATS work?

An ATS works by collecting applicant data through an online portal or from resumes submitted via email. It then stores this information in a database, allowing recruiters to search, filter, and sort applicants based on various criteria, such as skills, experience, and education. Some ATS systems also use automation to screen resumes and send automatic emails to candidates, helping to speed up the process and improve communication.

What features should a good ATS have?

A good ATS should offer a range of features to improve the recruitment process for both recruiters and applicants. Some essential features include: powerful search and filtering capabilities, resume parsing, customizable workflows, job posting integration with popular job boards, automated email notifications, and detailed analytics and reporting.

Can small businesses benefit from using an ATS?

Yes, small businesses can also benefit from using an ATS. While larger companies may have a higher volume of applicants to manage, smaller businesses can still save time and resources by automating their recruitment process. Many ATS platforms offer affordable plans tailored to the specific needs and budgets of small businesses.

Related Technology Terms

  • Job Board Integration
  • Candidate Sourcing
  • Resume Parsing
  • Interview Scheduling
  • Recruitment Analytics

Sources for More Information

devxblackblue

About The Authors

The DevX Technology Glossary is reviewed by technology experts and writers from our community. Terms and definitions continue to go under updates to stay relevant and up-to-date. These experts help us maintain the almost 10,000+ technology terms on DevX. Our reviewers have a strong technical background in software development, engineering, and startup businesses. They are experts with real-world experience working in the tech industry and academia.

See our full expert review panel.

These experts include:

devxblackblue

About Our Editorial Process

At DevX, we’re dedicated to tech entrepreneurship. Our team closely follows industry shifts, new products, AI breakthroughs, technology trends, and funding announcements. Articles undergo thorough editing to ensure accuracy and clarity, reflecting DevX’s style and supporting entrepreneurs in the tech sphere.

See our full editorial policy.

More Technology Terms

Technology Glossary

Table of Contents