6 Tips for Choosing Your Next Applicant Tracking System

For HR teams, finding the right applicant tracking system (ATS) for your organization can be complicated and overwhelming. This article explains 6 tips to keep in mind when selecting an ATS that will work best for your company's specific needs. Whether you're just starting out or are looking to upgrade, these guidelines will make sure that you choose the right ATS for your organization.

Applicant Tracking Systems

An applicant tracking system (ATS) is a software application that helps businesses manage the recruiting and hiring process. ATSs automate many of the tasks associated with tracking and managing job applicants, including storing applicant information, posting job openings, screening resumes, and scheduling interviews. There are many different types of ATSs on the market, so it’s important to choose one that will fit the specific needs of your business. To help you make the best decision for your company, here are a few tips to keep in mind when choosing an ATS:

1. Make sure the ATS integrates with your existing HR software.

2. Consider whether you need a cloud-based or on-premises solution.

3. Look for an ATS with a user-friendly interface. 4. Choose an ATS that offers robust reporting features. 5

Tip #1: Define Your Goals

The first tip to keep in mind when choosing your next applicant tracking system is to define your goals.

• What are you looking to achieve with your new system?
• Do you want to streamline your hiring process?
• Make it easier to find qualified candidates?
• Improve communication with applicants?

Once you know what your goals are, you can start narrowing down your options. There are a lot of applicant tracking systems on the market, so it's important to find one that will fit your needs. Take some time to research different systems and read reviews from other users. When you've found a few potential options, reach out to their customer support teams and ask questions about the features that are most important to you. This is a great way to get a feel for how responsive and helpful the company will be if you have any issues with their software. Finally, take some time to test out each system yourself. The best way to see if an applicant tracking system is right for you is to try it out in your own workflow. Set up a free trial or demo account and see how easy it is to use the software and whether or not it meets your needs.

Tip #2: Research Different Features

When you're narrowing down your choices for an applicant tracking system, it's important to research the different features each one offers. This will help you determine which system is the best fit for your needs. Some of the key features to look for include:

• Ease of use: You want a system that's easy to use, so you don't spend hours trying to figure out how to post a job or track applicants.
• Applicant tracking: Obviously, you want a system that can track applicants and keep all their information organized. But some systems are better than others at this. Look for one that allows you to easily search and filter applicants so you can find the ones you're looking for quickly.
• Job postings: Make sure the system you choose allows you to easily post jobs to your website or job boards. Some systems also offer built-in career sites that make it easy for candidates to find and apply for your open positions.
• Reporting: Reports can be extremely helpful in understanding which recruiting methods are working and where there might be room for improvement. Look for a system that offers robust reporting features so you can get the most out of your data.

Tip #3: Prioritize Functionality Over Price

When it comes to choosing an applicant tracking system (ATS), it's important to prioritize functionality over price. There are a lot of different features and options out there, and it can be tempting to choose the cheapest option. However, the most important thing is to find an ATS that will work well for your specific needs. There are a few things to keep in mind when evaluating different ATS options:

• Ease of use: The user interface should be intuitive and easy to use. You shouldn't have to spend a lot of time training your team on how to use the system.
• Features: Make sure the ATS you choose has all the features you need. For example, if you plan on using the system for recruiting, you'll want a system with powerful sourcing tools.
• Integrations: It's important that the ATS you choose integrates with other systems you use, such as your HRIS or CRM. This will make it easier to manage your data and avoid duplicate entries.
• Customer support: When something goes wrong with your ATS, you'll want to be able to reach customer support quickly. Make sure the company you're considering has good customer support before making your final decision.

Tip #4: Consider Integrations and Security

Integrations and security should be considered when choosing your next applicant tracking system. Make sure that the system you choose can integrate with your existing HR systems and that it has the necessary security features to protect your data.

Tip #5: Analyze User Reviews and Ratings

When considering an applicant tracking system (ATS), it is important to read user reviews and compare ratings. This will give you a good idea of what other users think of the system and whether or not it would be a good fit for your needs. There are a few things to keep in mind when reading user reviews:

• Look for patterns in the feedback. If there are multiple users complaining about the same issue, it is likely that this is a real problem with the system.
• Take the time to read both positive and negative reviews. Negative reviews can be just as helpful as positive ones, as they can point out potential problems that you may not have considered.
• Don't forget to check the date of the review. A review from several years ago may not be relevant to the current version of the software.

Tip #6: Take Free Trials

When you’re considering applicant tracking systems, be sure to take advantage of any free trials that are offered. This will give you a chance to test out the system and see if it’s a good fit for your needs. Be sure to take advantage of all the features during your trial period so you can get a full sense of what the system has to offer.

We hope that these tips have given you a better idea of what to look for when selecting an applicant tracking system. Keep in mind that your choice should be tailored to the specific needs and goals of your business, so make sure you take all factors into account before making a final decision. With the right applicant tracking system, you can ensure easier recruitment processes and higher efficiency across all steps of hiring.