When it comes to staffing, an applicant tracking system (ATS) is becoming the norm in many regions. Why? These systems reduce the stress and busywork associated with many aspects of the staffing process from sourcing to redeploying candidates.

In this article, we take a look at exactly what an ATS is and what some of the must-have features are.

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What is an applicant tracking system (ATS)

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An applicant tracking system (ATS) is a software application that helps organisations collect, track, and manage candidates through the hiring process. The ATS can be used to post job openings on a company website or job board, screen resumes, and track applicants through the various stages of the hiring process.

While an ATS can be a valuable tool for streamlining the recruiting process, it is important to note that not all systems are created equal. Some ATSs may offer more features than others, and some may be better suited for certain types of businesses.

Other features of any good ATS include :

-Screening and scoring resumes: The ability to screen resumes is one of the most important features of an ATS. The system should be able to scan resumes and identify keywords and phrases that are relevant to the job opening.

-Tracking applicants: A good ATS will be able to track applicants through the various stages of the hiring process. The system should also allow recruiters to quickly identify which candidates are best suited for the job.

-Scheduling interviews: A good ATS will have a built-in interview scheduler that can be used to schedule and confirm interviews with candidates.

-Generating reports: A good ATS will generate reports that can be used to track the performance of the recruiting team. These reports can be used to identify areas of improvement and make changes to the recruiting process.

It is important to do your research and select an ATS that will best meet the needs of your organization.

Now, let's take a look at some of the features that should form part of the ATS that you select.

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Must-have features for ATS

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When it comes to must-have features for ATS, there is quite a lot to consider when you invest in an applicant tracking system. Here are just a few of them.

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Career page hosting

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One of the first features to look for is the ability to host your career page on the ATS. This will save you time and money by eliminating the need to create and maintain a separate career website.

The ATS makes a career page easy to set up, and you can customize it to match your company's branding. The career page can include job descriptions, application forms, and other important information.

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Job distribution

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Getting your jobs distributed to the right places is important in attracting the right talent for the job.

Another important feature of an ATS is the ability to distribute jobs to job boards and social media sites. This will help you reach a larger pool of candidates and save you the time and hassle of manually posting job openings. With your ATS you can post your job on a variety of job boards and see from which boards your applicants are coming from. This will enable you to adjust your distribution strategy accordingly.

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Receiving and sorting applications

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Once you start receiving applications, you will need a way to sort and track them.

Most ATSs offer the ability to receive applications via email or through an online form. The system will then parse the resumes and sort them based on predetermined criteria. Gone are the days of manually reviewing each resume.

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Resume storage

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Once you have sorted and reviewed the resumes, you will need a place to store them.

This will allow you to keep all of the resumes in one place and access them when needed.

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Interview schedulers

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After you have selected the candidates you would like to interview, you will need a way to schedule the interviews.

Most ATSs offer an interview scheduler that can be used to schedule and confirm interviews with candidates. This will save you the time and hassle of manually scheduling interviews.

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Onboarding tools

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Once you have made a job offer, you will need a way to onboard the new hire.

Having onboarding tools will allow you to send important information to the new hire and keep track of their progress.

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Client management tools (like Candidate.ly)

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A client portal is a great way to keep your clients updated on the status of their job openings.

What is important here is that you need to choose a client portal that integrates with your ATS. Candidate.ly is one of the best client portals out there when it comes to presenting candidates, getting faster feedback and live analytics.

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ATS for staffing

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An applicant tracking system for staffing will vastly improve your staffing process, ensuring you have the perfect candidates for any job opening you may have.

What ATS do you have in place for your organization?