Applicant tracking systems
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is software that supports the recruitment and hiring of job candidates. It simplifies the recruitment process and automates the processing of resumes. It is estimated that around 80 percent of resumes go through ATS as the first step of the recruitment process, lowering the workload of recruiters and human resources managers as it reduces the need for having to process resumes manually.[1]
History
Traditionally, human resources departments relied on keeping things on paper, keeping resumes in filing cabinets with limited ways to store and track applications in an organized way. This made the recruiting process time consuming and costly. There was also inconsistency in hiring processes as different locations and hiring managers would have different standards with limited ways to coordinate, which could lead to lawsuits against the company. [2]
The first-ever ATS which aimed to address some of these concerns was Resumix, which was introduced in 1988. However, it took some time for ATS to gain a foothold, as in 1995 fewer than 300 companies used ATS to store, organize and search resumes. [3] Today, ATS is commonplace, especially in large corporations that receive a high volume of applicants online. 99% of Fortune 500 companies use some form of ATS, compared to 40% usage across all employers. [4][5]
In recent years, some ATS has started to integrate artificial intelligence algorithms and natural language processing technology. This improves the capability for ATS to parse resumes correctly and identify synonyms for what the employer is looking for. Some ATS also specialize in browsing social profiles, performing tasks like identifying candidates who may be well suited for the job the employer is looking for and are also likely to want to leave their current job. [6]
Function
ATS acts as an improved tool for resume parsing and tracking different applicants, giving the ability to automate the recruitment process. As there are many ATS services offered and developed by different companies through the software as a service (SaaS) model, there is a wide range of what kind of functionality is offered by ATS. Some companies developing ATS expand the scope of ATS to allow for post-hire tracking and performance appraisals, allowing for a detailed record of an employee to be stored in the company's database starting from the initial hiring process. [7]
ATS can help to make the recruitment process more simple and transparent. Using ATS allows for companies to improve the consistency of hiring at multiple locations. Additionally, ATS can help produce metrics to enable HR leaders to identify the most fruitful sources for job candidates as all data will be available for further analysis.[8] Stored candidate data produced by ATS can also be reused by recruiters when they are looking to fill up new job positions, as recruiters are able to use ATS to set up search parameters instead of having to manually look through resumes that may fit the job criteria. [9]
- Resume handling
- ↑ Schlinger, Robin (2014). "How to Navigate the ATS Resume-Writing Landscape", Career Planning and Adult Development Journal. https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1P3-3462611251/applicant-tracking-systems-how-to-navigate-the-ats
- ↑ https://thrivetrm.com/evolution-applicant-tracking-system/
- ↑ https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1P3-3462611241/the-impact-of-applicant-tracking-systems-on-job-search
- ↑ https://www.jobscan.co/blog/99-percent-fortune-500-ats/
- ↑ https://www.cio.com/article/2398753/careers-staffing-5-insider-secrets-for-beating-applicant-tracking-systems.html
- ↑ Schlinger, Robin (2014). "How to Navigate the ATS Resume-Writing Landscape", Career Planning and Adult Development Journal. https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1P3-3462611251/applicant-tracking-systems-how-to-navigate-the-ats
- ↑ https://www.recruiter.com/i/applicant-tracking-systems/
- ↑ https://www.shrm.org/ResourcesAndTools/hr-topics/technology/Pages/ATSEvolves.aspx
- ↑ https://power.atsondemand.com/let-technology-help-you-not-replace-you/
