The Applicant Tracking System (ATS), recruitment software to help you find the best candidates

Recruiting candidates can be a real challenge for a company and its human resources department. Between tracking applications, managing profiles and ensuring the entire recruitment process runs smoothly, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the amount of information and data.

But what if there was THE magic solution to help you in your quest for new talent? That's the promise of ATS systems, or ATS software, a real magic wand for recruiters, much better than our fairy godmother. 🧚

But what are the functionalities of an ATS? What are the benefits? How can software improve the recruitment process? Don't panic, here's the perfect guide to mastering an ATS in no time.

See all software Recruiting

Let's take a look at the definition of an ATS

What is an ATS?

An ATS, or Applicant Tracking System in English, is software designed to manage and track applications. Aimed at companies, and more specifically human resources departments, this tool is the Swiss Army knife that every good recruiter needs to ensure a fast, smooth and transparent recruitment process.

ATS solutions have become a key element in the world of modern recruitment. This software guarantees better application management and an improved candidate experience.

How does an ATS work?

Even if an ATS is self-sufficient for managing applications, it can be directly integrated with various more general HR tools, such as HRIS software, for example.

The ATS includes a number of functions that are perfect for simplifying and improving the management of the recruitment process from start to finish : collection of data and applications, in-depth and automaticsourcing of candidates,

• CV analysis ,
• automatic sorting and management of applications,
• automated communication with candidates,
• structured monitoring of the various stages,
• reports and analyses of the recruitment process.

🍒 And to top it all off, each stage of the process can be customised according to your own criteria!

What are the advantages of an ATS System?

Considerable time savings

While an ATS offers many advantages in terms of recruitment, saving time is one of its main strengths. ⏲️ The software allows you to considerably reduce the time needed to complete each stage of the recruitment process.

But how can ATS software save us time? In no particular order, here are some of the solutions you can expect from this tool:

• Automatic sorting and management of applications according to your criteria, for better pre-selection,
• automated communication with candidates
• centralisation of all the information needed for recruitment.

At the end of the day, an ATS offers you more comfortable working conditions and promises you more time to devote to higher added-value tasks.

Quality and simplified sourcing

The main method of recruitment is to post an advert and then select the appropriate candidates. Whether on social networks or job search sites, you can always expect a flood of applications.

Of course, an ATS is perfectly suited to this stage and automatically sorts through the applications for you. You can forget about long readings of CVs and covering letters.

However, you also have the option of canvassing potential candidates. This may seem like a laborious and time-consuming stage, but that's without counting on an ATS.

ATSs aggregate candidate profiles directly from a variety of sources, including job sites, social networks and internal databases. 🎯Selecting the best profile for the job is fully automated and choosing is easier.

The only effort you'll need to make is to define your selection criteria. What more can you expect?

More rigorous and accurate monitoring of applications

Faced with dozens or even hundreds of applications, you can quickly feel overwhelmed by the amount of information. From a recruiter's point of view, the process of selecting a candidate can be a long one, involving many people. Multiplied by the number of applications, it's easy to lose track.

There are many independent tools for coordinating information between team members and candidates, but an ATS remains unbeaten in the field.

So how can an ATS help track applications?

• Information is centralised: candidate data can be accessed directly in the software, providing a more holistic view of each application. This makes it easier for members of the recruitment team to work together.
• Tasks are automated: the software oversees the various stages of the recruitment process for you. Even if these tasks are entirely accessible manually, a clearly structured assessment reduces the risk of error and of forgetting a step, and monitoring is systematic. A step-by-step view: even if you are tracking several candidates simultaneously, you can't get lost in the progress of each one. Each application progresses in an orderly and precise manner, independently of the others.
• A history of activities: the software ensures complete traceability of the entire recruitment process, for both candidates and recruiters. Each user can consult the history, data, notes and other information at any time.

Tracking is more consistent and more transparent for users. This makes the recruitment process all the more efficient!

A more attractive process for candidates

For a company, it sometimes seems difficult to guarantee a rapid recruitment process. On the candidate side, you have to expect to wait several weeks, sometimes even several months!

Some online opinion platforms allow candidates to share their impressions of a company, particularly regarding the recruitment process. This can have an impact on reputation.

ATS is just as interesting for recruiters as it is for candidates! The time saved is felt by both sides. If the process is more rigorous and communication more fruitful from the company's point of view, this impression is undoubtedly reciprocated. ⭐

A good point for you and a good point for your candidates!

Opportunities for improvement

An ATS is a way for you to optimise your working and recruitment methods. With a faster, more rigorous and more efficient system, not only do you have something to stand out from the crowd, but you also have a tool for long-term improvement.

By integrating an ATS, you can optimise candidate flow management, automate repetitive tasks and put in place performance indicators to evaluate and continually improve your recruitment processes.

On the other hand, an ATS doesn't stop at internal prospects for improvement. Software adapts more easily to recruitment trends while remaining consistent with your needs, which are also constantly evolving.

An ATS is the perfect tool for keeping up to date on the job market, both as a recruiter and as a company.

How to choose the right ATS software: 6 criteria to consider

Select an ATS that matches your recruitment needs

With so many ATSs on the market, it quickly becomes difficult to select the right software.

First and foremost, you need to focus on a tool that can be customised to suit your recruitment needs.

Good ATS software is software that fits your business!

✅ Our advice: look at the main features available. Pay particular attention to these

• Workflow customisation to align with your recruitment process,
• integration with your favourite candidate sources,
• automatic sorting of applications according to predefined criteria.

Integrate software tailored to your existing systems

Even if an ATS is self-sufficient thanks to a mosaic of interesting functions, you can integrate it with many other software packages.

Select an ATS adapted to the systems you already have to create a complete, seamless recruitment ecosystem!

✅ Our advice: remember to check which of your software packages are compatible. Here are a few examples of tools that are suitable for integrating an ATS:

• a Human Resources Management System (HRMS),
• payroll management software
• a communication and e-mail system,
• a skills assessment tool
• a performance monitoring system,
• a project management application.

Opt for constantly evolving software

With the job market constantly changing, a good ATS is above all software that keeps pace. Recruitment trends are changing, and it's important to anticipate changes so you can adapt more effectively.

✅ Our advice: look for flexible software that responds to different trends. Here are a few indicators:

• an active technology watch
• regular updates,
• built-in artificial intelligence
• an intuitive application for users,
• integration with new recruitment platforms and professional social networks,
• an accessible development history.

Think about the ideal budget for your company

You've selected cutting-edge software that matches your existing systems and your recruitment needs. .. You're almost there! But don't be too hasty: you still need to consider certain essential criteria, including budget.

Good ATS software is also a tool that fits your budget!

✅ Our advice: make a compromise so that you can benefit from the basic features you're looking for without having to exceed your budget.

Pay attention to data security

A TTY is a hotbed of personal and sensitive information. That's why it's so important to address the issue of personal data protection. Guaranteeing data integrity is crucial. A secure ATS ensures that data cannot be altered, corrupted or accessed by unauthorised individuals.

Even if the software selected complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe, it is not out of the question. Software that attaches importance to data protection is also more viable in the long term.

What's more, good, secure software reduces the risk of data leaks and protects users from various attacks and hacks. As well as maintaining trust internally, this strengthens the employer brand and candidates' confidence in the company.

✅ Our advice: prioritise data security by ensuring that the system guarantees rigorous and compliant protection.

Take an interest in the software's reviews and reputation

After a tough selection process, your software suits your needs and your budget, you can integrate it with your other tools and you feel confident about data management: that's it, you've found your software... or almost.

Maybe it's too good to be true? Don't panic, look at the software's reputation and pay attention to the feedback:

• general and more specific ratings
• comments left by users,
• recommendations.

✅ Our advice: turn your attention to sites that specialise in centralising product sheets and recommending software. You'll get an overview with access to the various feedbacks. In fact, that's our speciality at Appvizer 😉

This gives you all the keys you need to choose an ATS that's perfectly suited to your needs and those of the market.

A few examples of ATS software for your business

There are many software packages on the market that you can turn your attention to, each offering a mosaic of possibilities and advantages when it comes to selecting candidates.

However, after our 6 selection criteria, you still don't know which software to choose?

👉 Don't worry, you can refer to our comparison to guide you in your choice of the best software to help you recruit!

Of all these options, the softgarden software on its part is made for any good recruiter who respects himself. It is one of the most comprehensive and optimised solutions on the market, and with good reason, as it offers :

• advanced features for tailor-made recruitment, such as publishing job offers in record time,
• a price that meets the needs of all companies, whatever their size or sector of activity,
• software suited to all structures and all types of company,
• numerous customisable options, such as your careers page.

Good ATS software is also all-in-one software, the famous Swiss army knife of recruiters.

See all software Recruiting

An Applicant Tracking System: in brief

An ATS is a tool that is much more than a simple ally. It's a recruiter's magic wand, simplifying every stage of the sometimes long and tedious recruitment process in one fell swoop.

Like Watson to Sherlock Holmes, an ATS is the ideal human resources partner. With software tailored to your needs, you not only ensure an efficient recruitment process, but also a solid foundation for the future.

Your company embraces a modern approach to recruitment, staying at the forefront of trends while guaranteeing an exceptional experience for candidates and your teams.

So, are you ready to opt for an ATS System in your company?