Applicant Tracking Systems for Recruiters: Pros and Cons

Good applicant tracking systems can help recruiters tremendously. These systems can also be extremely effective for smaller businesses without an HR manager. With these systems it is easier to bring the best candidates to the top of the pile.

The main idea of ​​these systems is to provide a location and database for hiring and recruiting efforts all in one place. Tracking systems help manage resumes and all applicant information. There are several methods of entering information into the software. For example, if the HR manager or a recruiter is interviewing, information can be entered and notes taken as the interview unfolds. Applicants applying online would have the option of entering information directly into the system. The third way that data about potential applicants can be entered is through resume boards.

Once an applicant tracking system has the information, the system can sort this information in a number of ways. For example, if this position requires a college degree, you can resolve any resumes that have come in that don’t include that information. Most applicant tracking systems also offer employee referral rewards.

There are a number of other features that these systems can provide to help with the hiring process. When deciding if applicant tracking systems will work for your business, consider the following pros and cons.

advantage

• These systems can automatically post to online job boards.
• Track all applicant information
• Allows specific screening questions
• Keep track of the flow in the application process
• Will allow one email to go to multiple applicants
• It has the ability to automate assessments for hiring.
• Tasks, notes, and any other reports can be attached to the app.
• As a recruiter for multiple companies, it’s important to have vetted and qualified candidates that you can track for their skill, experience, and education. Using an applicant tracking system can take a lot of work out of filers and put it right at your fingertips. These systems are most useful when you have a large number of applicants for a multitude of jobs.

Cons:

• Applicant tracking systems remove around 75% of submitted resumes
• Tracking systems can fail if the resume is not in the expected format.
• PDF files are often misunderstood and discarded
• Tracking software cannot read charts
• The best candidate for a job may not have a resume that the software can correctly pick up

If your job is to recruit staff for your company or for many companies, applicant tracking systems are certainly something to consider. The question is whether the software will make it easy to find the best candidates for the vacancy you are trying to fill. The next question is whether the recruiting software will allow the best candidate for the job to go through the selection processes that resumes go through.