7 things you must consider before investing in an applicant tracking system
May 09, 2023
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Have you ever heard of this golden statement- “When in doubt, choose a software that makes your team shout, ‘Yay!’ instead of ‘Nay!’?”
It applies to YOU as well! Now that you are planning to invest in an applicant tracking system, your priority must be to seek software that serves your and your hiring team’s purpose.
Ask your team- “What are you struggling with in your recruiting workflow?”
The answers you will receive will help you prepare a checklist for your ATS search.
Honestly, it’s that simple!
So, do you have a checklist ready? Then, double-check if it has these seven things covered, and you are good to go!
1. Customization options to fit your recruitment process
The first and foremost thing to consider before investing in an applicant tracking system (ATS) is its customization options.
Your recruitment process is unique, and your ATS should be able to adapt to it.
Before making any purchase, evaluate the system's customization features, from job postings to interview schedules to maximize your hiring ROI.
Ensure that your ATS recruitment system can create custom workflows, automated email templates, and branded career portals.
2. User-friendly interface for easy navigation
A user-friendly and intuitive ATS is essential for a seamless recruitment experience.
Search for a system that is easy to navigate and understand, even for non-technical users.
The interface should be customizable to allow you and your hiring team to easily access the most critical features.
Consider testing the ATS and gathering feedback from other stakeholders to ensure the user interface meets their needs.
3. Advanced search capabilities for efficient candidate sourcing
Look for an ATS that provides advanced search features like Boolean search, keyword search, and filters to help you find suitable candidates quickly.
Also, ensure that your chosen system allows you to save search queries and set up alerts for new candidates that match specific criteria.
With the AI-driven search capabilities of your ATS, you will be able to reduce the time and effort required for candidate sourcing and improve the quality of your hiring decisions by multiple folds.
4. Collaborative features to streamline communication among team members
A robust applicant tracking system offers features that facilitate smooth communication and collaboration among your hiring team members.
The system should allow you and your team to leave feedback, notes, and ratings on candidates and provide real-time updates on the hiring process.
Also, features like team-based hiring workflows, in-app messaging, shared calendars, and automated email notifications will ensure everyone is on the same page and working together to make the best hiring decisions.
5. Integration with other HR software and tools
An ATS that integrates seamlessly with other HR software and tools such as job boards, social media platforms, and your existing HRIS can significantly enhance your recruiting process.
This level of integration will help you manage your recruitment data efficiently and prevent data silos.
It will also enable you to streamline your recruitment workflow, saving you time and reducing the risk of errors.
6. Data analytics and reporting functionalities for tracking recruitment metrics
Recruitment metrics are crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of your hiring process.
Look for an ATS that offers customizable data analytics and reporting functionalities that allow you to track key recruitment metrics with ease.
Also, it should provide real-time data on metrics like time-to-hire, cost-per-hire, and candidate source, helping you to make data-driven decisions and optimize your recruitment process.
7. Responsive and reliable customer support and transparent pricing structures.
Opt for a vendor that provides responsive and reliable 24/7 customer support to help you with any issues or concerns you may encounter while implementing or leveraging the applicant tracking system.
This includes multiple support channels, such as phone, email, or live chat, and fast response times.
Also, ensure that the vendor offers transparent pricing structures with no hidden fees, so you can accurately budget your ATS investment.
Bonus: Consider the total cost of ownership, such as setup and training fees, and any ongoing subscription costs.
Also, ensure whatever applicant tracking system you choose complies with data protection guidelines, such as GDPR or CCPA.
That said, did your checklist contain these "must-haves"? If yes, great! Go ahead and look for an ATS vendor that provides all of them. If no! Add these features to your list asap!
To wrap up, here are some tips that will help you choose your best Applicant tracking software in no time:
- Define your needs: Begin your search for the ideal software by outlining your specific requirements. Consider the features you need, your budget, and your agency's objectives.
- Explore your options: Once you've identified your needs, investigate the available choices. Utilize search engines, social media platforms, and personal recommendations from colleagues or friends to gather information.
- Curate a vendor shortlist: Based on your findings, compile a list of potential vendors, considering factors such as reputation, features, pricing, and other criteria that matter to you.
- Arrange product demos: Schedule product demonstrations with the vendors on your shortlist, allowing you to experience the software firsthand, ask questions, and evaluate the user interface.
- Assess the demonstrations: Following the demos, assess each software based on your initial requirements, user-friendliness, scalability, integration capabilities, implementation process, support services, and training resources.
- Obtain client references: Before making a final decision, request references from the vendor's current or former clients. It will provide valuable insights into the software's performance, customer support, and overall user experience.
- Reach a well-informed decision: After thoroughly evaluating your options and gathering client feedback, select the applicant tracking software that best fulfills your needs and aligns with your company's goals.
Leverage these tips and enjoy your ATS search!
Tags: English