Job boards aren’t cheap. In fact, they’re getting more expensive. You need to track the effectiveness of the job boards you are using. You’ve got the brief, advertised the role and now you have a flood of candidates coming in. How many came in? From what job board? Are they the right fit? Put a process in place to evaluate which boards work for you so you can spend budgets wisely, ensuring the best traction and results for your business.

Advantages & Disadvantages Of Applicant Tracking Systems

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) have become an essential tool for recruitment agencies looking to streamline their hiring processes. 

By using an ATS, recruiters can efficiently manage large volumes of applicants while also ensuring a more organized and structured approach to their work, ultimately increasing output. 

Not convinced? We’ve outlined the top advantages of applicant tracking systems to help you choose the right solution for your recruitment business.  

What is an Applicant Tracking System?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a software designed to streamline the hiring process by managing, tracking and organizing job applications. 

It makes it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to find the right candidates for open positions.

ATSs include various features to assist in the recruitment process such automated document collection, references, automated compliance checklist, e-contract functionality. And then of course, tracking activity from both job applicants and current candidates to know exactly when and where each candidate is in the process. 

Benefits of Applicant Tracking Systems 

Improved Efficiency – Saving Time

One of the key advantages of applicant tracking systems is their ability to improve efficiency by automating manual tasks such as sorting resumes and applications. Compliance checks as well by recognising when documents expire and automatically sending emails to update qualifications or documents. 

An ATS also automatically checks the documents and availability of candidates to provide the best match to a shift, which is a particularly useful tool of a software in a temp recruitment agency.

An ATS can also speed up the collection of applications directly through the job posting depending on the ATS. 

This allows the team to redirect their focus towards other important aspects of recruitment, such as conducting interviews, engaging with candidates, and evaluating potential hires.

Ultimately, this increased efficiency not only saves time but also enhances the overall effectiveness of the recruitment process and improves the quality of hires.

Effectively Track Recruitment Campaigns

An ATS (Applicant Tracking System) is an essential tool for recruiters and hiring managers to streamline their recruitment process.

One of the most significant advantages of an ATS is that it allows you to track the effectiveness of your job boards. 

They can also provide other key recruitment metrics that help in making informed decisions. 

These metrics include the number of applications received, the time taken to fill a position, and the cost per hire, appropriate channels for different segments of candidates e.g. temp vs perm or catering vs care.

Cost Savings

By providing insights into which job boards yield the best results, an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) allows you to allocate your recruitment budget effectively, reducing unnecessary expenses. 

With the ability to analyse data on which job boards are bringing in the most applications and which ones are not worth the investment, you are able to optimise your recruitment budget based on this information. 

Another way ATS can saving money is with additional plugins that enable multi-posting, multi-search across different platforms like SMS and social media. All linking together and saving money by not having to subscribe to different accounts.

Then you can allocate resources wisely and improve the overall efficiency of your hiring process whilst reducing costs which is always going to be a major benefit for any recruitment or staffing agency.

Stream Communication

A great feature of ATS is the improvement of communication between applicants and recruiters, streamlining the hiring process. 

ATS can automatically send out interview invitations and follow-up messages to keep candidates informed about their application status. 

Communication is also two way, candidates can reply within the platform and then the message history thread is kept internally within the ATS so that everyone is able to access information about candidates and pick up where another team member left off.

This not only saves time for the hiring team but also ensures that all applicants receive timely updates on their progress in the recruitment process. 

This helps improves the candidate experience meaning they’ll be more likely to return to you in the future and help grow your temporary recruitment agency,

Automate Manual Tasks

A good example of automating tasks is the automatic distribution of job postings to different job boards and other channels such as a company career website. 

A good ATS will then have bespoke online application forms which can be linked to job boards and other job advertising channels, for candidates to apply directly. 

Other tasks that can be automated with an ATS include application tracking alerts to keep candidates on track with their application, interview scheduling, compliance dashboards, automated screening and more.

By streamlining these processes, recruiters can save significant amounts of time that would have otherwise been spent on tedious administrative work.  

Better Overview of Applications

A great advantage of Applicant Tracking Systems is that they can easily provide a comprehensive view of all job applications, making it easier to track and manage them effectively. 

This not only streamlines the recruitment process but also enhances the overall candidate experience by providing timely updates on application status through automated email triggers. 

ATS can also systemise the onboarding process by automating tasks such as paperwork completion, CV search and parsing, and training schedules, ultimately improving the overall experience for both candidates and hiring managers.

Avoid Unconscious Bias

Using a software tool means that they are entirely non-biased, ATS are designed to focus on the qualifications and skills of candidates, rather than personal details such as gender, race, or age. This helps to eliminate unconscious bias in the hiring process, ensuring that all applicants are evaluated based on their relevant experience and abilities. By standardising the screening and selection process, ATS can help companies create a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

Builds A Database Of Candidates

One of the key advantages for temp recruitment agencies of using ATSs is the ability to collect a significant amount of data on candidates. This data can then be organized into a valuable database containing information on each candidate’s background, qualifications, and activity history within the system. All information collected is completely GDPR compliant as well. 

With an easily searchable interface, recruiters can quickly find prior candidates who may have shown promise but were not the right fit at the time. By leveraging this feature, companies can potentially save time and resources by re-engaging with qualified candidates from previous job listings.

Disadvantages of an Applicant Tracking System

Like any software solution there are always some potential drawbacks to consider. 

Cost Of Leaving Old Software

When it comes to investing in an applicant tracking system, pricing is a key factor to consider. Some ATS providers make it quite difficult to leave a contract with a long-notice period or other making it very expensive to break the contract. However, with an all-in-one temporary recruitment software solution like Easy Tech, you can actually save money by choosing a recruitment solution that combines an ATS module within it. 

Learning Curve

As with any new software, there is often a steep learning curve involved and sometimes some staff members avoid learning the new software.

That’s why it is important to provide adequate training and support for your staff as they familiarise themselves with the new applicant tracking system. It’s also crucial to communicate the benefits of the new system and address any concerns or resistance from team members. 

By investing time in properly onboarding your staff, you can help them transition smoothly and maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of the new system.

Technical Issues

Applicant Tracking Systems, like any technology, are not immune to technical difficulties. Just as we have all experienced the frustration of a phone that decides to show a black screen at the most inconvenient time, ATS systems can also encounter similar issues. 

That’s why Easy Tech, all-in-one temp recruitment software is proud to offer 24/7 UK-based customer support, so your recruitment team can feel supported with the technology at all times. 

Additionally, there can be technical glitches or errors that disrupt the application process and frustrate both candidates and hiring managers. 

As always, it’s important to strike a balance between leveraging technology for efficiency and maintaining a human element in the recruitment process to ensure that all qualified candidates are given fair consideration. 

The Takeaway

Overall, investing in an advanced ATS is not just a cost but rather a tool with a great ROI of improved efficiency, cost savings, higher-quality hires, and enhanced candidate satisfaction.

Investing in a top-notch Applicant Tracking System (ATS) can significantly enhance your recruitment process. By automating tasks such as resume screening, scheduling interviews, and sending follow-up emails, the ATS saves valuable time for HR professionals and hiring managers. This automation also helps to streamline workflows involved in the hiring process, making it more efficient and effective.

Furthermore, with the right ATS in place, recruitment agencies can identify and attract more qualified candidates at a faster pace helping the staffing agency grow faster with great ROI. 

About Easy Tech

Easy Tech provides bespoke end-to-end temporary recruitment software to help you optimise the hiring process. We take control of the recruitment process with a CRM module, ATS, bookings and T/S, payroll, accounting, and credit control, allowing you to focus on providing excellent services while saving time and resources. We specialise in a variety of industries, with our healthcare recruitment software, manufacturing recruitment CRM, teaching agency recruitment software and more.

Learn more about Easy Tech now.