The Ultimate Guide to Applicant Tracking Software

As with other technologies, applicant tracking systems aren’t all built the same. But there are a few core similarities. Most systems provide the following: 

Talent attraction and resume parsing

At the initial stages of the search process, ATS systems often include tools for creating and publishing job postings to various job boards and other online platforms, including multi-channel job broadcasting functionalities. 

Many ATS systems include “resume parsing” functionality, which allows them to automatically extract important information (such as work experience, education, and skills) from job applicants’ resumes and store it in a structured format. Once candidate resumes have been identified by an ATS platform, recruiters can quickly sort through them according to specific criteria. This allows them to quickly compare potential hires side by side based on factors important to the hiring process.

Screening and interview management

Whether you’re hiring multiple candidates at once, or shortlisting a large pool of job seekers, it’s difficult to keep track. You need to monitor who you’ve contacted, what stage they’re at in your hiring process, and who’s due a follow-up. A good applicant tracking tool will allow you to organise and filter by assigned tags or groups, accept and reject applicants, and simplify the scheduling process – all in one place. 

From a candidate experience perspective, many ATS systems, including the product offered by Harri, will allow job-seekers to choose availability for interview follow-ups digitally, reducing the amount of back-and-forth communication. 

Scheduling and conducting video interviews

A true end-to-end applicant tracking system allows you to conduct professional and productive interviews. You can develop custom interview questions, schedule pre-recorded video interviews with candidates, and view them at a time that best suits you. This offers more flexibility to candidates and employers throughout the hiring process. Plus, it gives candidates plenty of time to prepare for their interview or familiarise themselves with the software.

Candidate communications

To maintain candidate interest, you must engage and keep them in the loop at all times, or you could lose them to your competitors. With an applicant tracking system equipped with live SMS text messaging capabilities, you can send the right message at the right time, to the right place.

Harri has taken this concept a step further with Carri: our AI-powered “chat and apply” conversation tool. Carri can help recruiting teams manage the entire candidate communications lifecycle via SMS, web-based chat, Facebook Messenger, and more. More than just a chatbot, Carri removes the friction of talent acquisition with the ability to deliver customised action-oriented messages and perfectly integrates with the Harri ATS.

Reporting and analytics

Many ATS systems include tools for generating reports and performing analysis on various aspects of the hiring process, such as the number of applicants, the time it takes to fill positions, and the success rates of different recruiting channels. Custom reporting options enable users to access data that is tailored to their specific needs and requirements, which helps to quickly identify areas for improvement and make decisions based on reliable information rather than gut feeling.