6 Signs You Need an Applicant Tracking System

In today’s competitive job market, efficient recruitment processes are crucial for staying ahead. Yet, many organizations find themselves stuck in outdated methods, struggling to keep up with the demands of hiring. In this blog, we’ll explore 6 signs that prove you need an Applicant Tracking System, plus share actionable ways that using an ATS has improved our processes when it comes to hiring the right fit, and our candidate experience. Before we dive in, some signs indicate the need for an ATS.

Top 6 Warning Signs You Need an Applicant Tracking System:

You’re tracking and hiring with spreadsheets, email threads, and paper processes.
Your job listings appear overly complex.
There’s a constant back-and-forth struggle when scheduling interviews.
It takes months to fill openings.
Having trouble finding previously applied candidates.
There is no data or analytics.

#1: Spreadsheets, email threads and paper processes

Are you still tracking and hiring with spreadsheets, email threads, and paper processes? If so, it’s time for a major upgrade! Let’s face it – using outdated methods for recruiting and hiring is like trying to navigate the digital age with a paper map. It slows you down, makes you appear disorganized to potential candidates, and worst of all, it could cost you those star applicants who are ready to shine elsewhere. An ATS will help you efficiently manage your recruitment efforts keeping employee information in one place being easily accessible to recruiters or hiring managers that need it.

#2: Complicated job listings

Did you know more than 60% of applicants will start an online application but leave without finishing it? In today’s digital world, you don’t have a lot of time to grab someone’s attention and encourage them to apply for your open position. If the application process takes more than 15 minutes, the candidates are likely to bail before applying or midway through the application.

It’s crucial to make sure your job listing is simple and easy to apply. Also, make sure you avoid jargon and industry-specific terms that could be confusing to candidates outside your organization. Use simple, straightforward language to describe the role, responsibilities, and

6 Signs you need an applicant tracking system (1)

qualifications. Clear communication in a job description ensures that candidates understand what is expected of them in the role. This helps manage expectations from the outset and reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings or dissatisfaction later on. Writing winning job descriptions is key to attracting the right candidates.

#3: Back and forth scheduling interviews

The endless back-and-forth between hiring managers, recruiters, and candidates can turn what should be a simple task into a logistical nightmare. Not to mention, the longer it takes to hire, the more strain it puts on your team, leading to stress and frustration all around. With a streamlined process through an ATS, it’s easier and more efficient to post jobs, receive applications, schedule interviews, and get people hired.

#4: Takes months to fill openings

Hiring is a huge challenge for most hiring managers, recruiters, and business owners. It’s critical to have the right tools in place to 1) Reduce your time and cost to hire and 2) Help you hire better people, faster and cheaper. With an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), everyone involved in recruitment can be added to the process, making it much easier to figure out schedules and get candidates in for interviews. It will help streamline posting jobs, receiving applications, and hiring top talent becomes a breeze. No more months-long hiring processes or lost applications buried in emails.

#5 Trouble finding previously applied candidates

We have all been in the situation where you had a 5- star applicant who applied for a different job in your company, but he or she was not the right fit for that position. Now you have the perfect role for that person, but you can’t find the application or contact information in your mess of emails. With an ATS, you can imagine being able to easily pull data for previous applicants and find that person right away. Sounds awesome right? Well, it is! With an ATS, you can easily retrieve their information and reach out with the perfect opportunity tailored just for them.

#6 There is no data or analytics

Without accurate data and analytics, trying to hire for your open positions will make the process difficult. Your team should have the ability to access candidate data that will allow them to make a clear hiring decision. With a good Applicant Tracking System, you can get an inside look at how many people are viewing your job postings, where they are coming from, what boards they’re viewing the postings on, and whether they are starting and/or finishing the application process.

It’s clear that an Applicant Tracking System can transform your company’s recruiting process. At HireLevel with over 29 years of experience, we would love to speak with you about how we can help you simplify recruiting and hiring processes from start to finish. Contact us today to get started!

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