What’s an Applicant Tracking System? Why Every Hiring Team Needs One
Hey folks! It’s Kira from makethehire.com. If you’ve ever wondered how bigger companies (or even scrappy startups) keep their hiring organized without drowning in email threads and sticky notes, let’s talk about Applicant Tracking Systems—yep, that’s “ATS” in HR lingo.
Okay, So What’s an ATS Really Do?
Think of an ATS as your digital control center for recruiting. Instead of juggling spreadsheets and inbox chaos, you get one system that:
- Collects all those incoming résumés (so you don’t have to),
- Lets you track every candidate as they move through interviews,
- Reminds you to actually follow up (goodbye, forgotten emails),
- And even helps keep you out of legal hot water.
Modern ATS platforms are also lifesavers for building your own “talent bench”—meaning you can save promising candidates for future roles. Plus, the right system can shave weeks (not kidding) off your hiring timeline.
Features That Make an Applicant Tracking System a No-Brainer
Here’s what you’ll usually find:
- Job Posting Everywhere: Publish a role on a bunch of job boards, your website, and social in one shot.
- Résumé Parsing: The system pulls out the important info for you—no more copy-pasting. The reason for which ATS Friendly Resumes are important.
- All-in-One Candidate Tracker: Every candidate, every note, every stage, all in one spot.
- Automated Emails: No more “Sorry for the delay” messages. The ATS keeps everyone in the loop automatically.
- Interview Scheduling: Syncs with your team’s calendars, so no more double-booking.
- Data & Reporting: Real talk—are you actually filling roles faster? Which sources bring in the best people? The numbers are right there.
- Compliance & Security: Keep your process above board and your data safe (especially if you’re hiring in the EU).
- Integrations: Your payroll, HR, and background check tools can all talk to each other.
- Mobile Friendly: Because half of us do everything from our phones now.
- AI-Powered Tools: Some newer ATS solutions use AI to sort résumés, recommend matches, or even predict who’s likely to stick around.
How to Choose the Right ATS
Before you sign up, think about:
- What do you really need? (High volume? Specialized roles? Just want better candidate experience?)
- Is it easy for everyone to use? If it’s confusing, your team won’t touch it.
- Can it grow with you? (Startups, I see you.)
- Does it play nicely with the tools you already use?
- How strong is the AI stuff—real help, or just buzzwords?
- Cost: Transparent pricing and real ROI matter, especially if you’re watching the budget.
- Data Security: Super important for smaller companies without a big IT team.
- Support: You want someone to actually answer when things get weird.
👉 Wondering what’s actually different for small and mid-sized businesses when it comes to applicant tracking systems? I have you covered, check this one out. Best Applicant Tracking Systems for Small Business: How to Choose the Right One
Popular Applicant Tracking Systems Worth a Look
You’ll hear these names a lot:
- BambooHR: Small biz favorite—simple and solid.
- SAP SuccessFactors: Big company vibes, lots of features.
- Manatal: AI extras and flexible pipelines.
- Jobvite: Good for social recruiting and smooth workflows.
- Greenhouse: Customizable and scales with you.
The Future? It’s All About AI
Applicant Tracking Systems are getting smarter by the month. The newest tools use AI to screen candidates, match skills, and even predict who might stay long-term. That means less grunt work, and more time actually talking to people (imagine that).
For small teams or fast-growing startups, AI-powered ATS platforms can be a secret weapon. You get big-company hiring tools, but without the huge price tag or need for a full HR department.
Bottom line: Whether you’re a hiring pro or just getting started, a good ATS can turn a messy, stressful process into something that actually works (and saves your sanity).
Want to see more on tech in recruiting? Dive into the rest of our blog!
