Easiest To Use
Spring 2022
As numbers from the pandemic begin to decrease, and restaurants begin to re-open their doors, many employers are finding it difficult to find enough staff to meet these new demands.
The process of hiring can take time, and if you need to hire a large number of people, things can get overwhelming. Finding, interviewing and hiring is no small feat, but luckily there is a software solution that was build specifically for these types of challenges.
This is where an applicant tracking system comes into play. Applicant tracking is the tool that will help you find, interview and onboard large numbers of people at a time.
According to research by Capterra, 75% of recruiters of hiring professionals use a recruiting or applicant tracking system software, but you don't need to be an expert to use one.
In this article we will explore what an applicant tracking system is, how it works, and why it is the perfect tool to help employers who are experiencing the weight of the labor shortage at this time.
Like the name suggests, an applicant tracking system is a tool that helps business owners streamline their hiring and employee data management process. Instead of manually posting jobs online on various social platforms, going through resumes, screening candidates, cross-checking references, scheduling tests and interviews, and onboarding new employees, you can automate it all by using applicant tracking system software.
In short, an applicant tracking system definition is: software that helps you, or your HR team manage job applications more efficiently and effectively, while saving time, and keeping track of the best hires. And we’ve got numbers to back this claim. 94% of recruiters and hiring professionals say their ATS or recruiting software has positively impacted their hiring process.
When an interested candidate applies for your job through an applicant tracking system, all of their information is stored in the database and can be found under their name.
This helps you make better hiring decisions, faster.
This system also keeps candidates in the loop, sending them automated messages when their application is received, scheduling interviews, online tests, and letting them know when they’ve moved on to the next stage of the hiring process.
The best applicant tracking system software will do a lot more than just screen resumes - they become an essential part of your hiring and employee onboarding process.
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So basically everything your hiring team does manually, an ATS helps them do it better and more efficiently.
Now the next step is choosing the correct applicant tracking system for your small business. Every business has different requirements and goals, so there’s no one-fit-all solution that can work for everyone.
With a ton of applicant tracking systems available in the digital sphere, things can get a little confusing, fast.
We want to keep things simple - so we broke it down into a 3-step process, to help you make an informed decision.
Most applicant tracking systems offer a trial, otherwise known as a “sandbox” account the potential buyer can use where you can use it for a few days to see if it works for you. I would highly suggest you make use of this option and try it first.
Get input from your HR team and ask them if working with an ATS has helped them make the hiring process easier and more efficient.
And then make the decision accordingly.
You need to choose an applicant tracking system based on your business's unique requirements. Understanding the goals and needs of your business before signing up for an ATS will help you achieve your goals!
Every business is different, but these are some of the basic features you should consider when choosing an Applicant Tracking System for your business.
Look for ATS software that integrates easily with your existing apps, tools or software suite.
At the very least you may want to consider a website integration so you can easily collect resumes through it. Ideally you select an applicant tracking system that can integrate with your existing software, or HR suite. This will allow you to seamlessly bring applicants into your system. Also consider if there are any other indispensable tools that your business uses like an HRIS, job boards, background checks, etc, make sure the ATS you choose integrates with those as well.
The best applicant tracking systems are easy to use. You want your HR team to easily adopt this system and not have to go through a complicated learning curve.
The last thing you want is for the right candidate to get frustrated with your Application Tracking System and abandon their application process. Unnecessary steps, lots of hoops to jump through, takes up too much of their time - these are all things you don’t want your ATS to do.
So make sure that the ATS you choose is user-friendly and visually appealing.
Go through customer reviews and find out if the ATS you’re choosing has fantastic customer support and takes customer criticisms constructively.
Look for ATS software that is highly collaborative and allows access to feedback from team members.
Did you know, according to the SHRM’s Human Capital Benchmarking Report, the average cost-per-hire is $4,129, while the average time it takes to fill a given position is 42 days?
Using an ATS software that automates the hiring process and helps you get the best person for the job massively decreases hiring cost and time.
Not only does it help you filter the best candidates out of the lot that applies, but also encourages passive candidates to apply for your job.
How?
By enabling employee referrals, using social media, online job boards, and making the job application process as easy as possible.
Hiring for soft skills is now more important than ever.
So instead of spending time and effort screening and filtering resumes, small businesses can focus on reviewing the soft skills of candidates, like leadership, creativity, and work ethic.
Improving communication between hiring managers and candidates is crucial. After all, unhappy candidates 'tell an average of three people' about their bad recruitment experience. Having an ATS in place ensures clear and effective communication between the hiring team and candidates applying for the job.
If you are looking for an easy to use, integrated and flexible solution to help you hire fast now, and maintain a grat team later, we recommend using software like Push that has a powerful HR system, and applicant tracking system built in. Push also integrates with your entire workforce - including payroll!
If you are still on your hiring journey and need some more tips, check out the Ultimate Hiring Guide we created below.
“In the labor numbers, we were reporting about a $300 to $400 difference than what we were getting through Push!”
-Tara Hardie, ZZA Hospitality Group, 16 locations
