To choose the best applicant tracking system (ATS) for your business, consider the key features that matter more to your team and organization. For example, some businesses are looking for very simple tracking features to help manage the hiring process for the occasional new hire. Meanwhile, other businesses need an ATS to save time and money with high-volume recruiting. In addition to key features, also consider the price—and what it might cost as your business grows—available integrations, customer reviews and customer support.
The size of your business will also influence the type of ATS you need. Small businesses may be able to get by with a basic, off-the-shelf system, while larger organizations may need a more advanced ATS for their recruitment purposes. Additionally, consider the type of recruitment process you have in place—whether it’s a more manual process or an advanced, automated system—and whether the ATS can support that.
Essential ATS Features
When selecting an applicant tracking system, you’ll want to look for features that make the process as simple and efficient as possible. Here are some essential features to consider:
- API: An application programming interface (API) will allow you to easily integrate the ATS with other software, such as job boards and social media.
- Vacancy management: A good vacancy management system will enable you to quickly post job openings, manage applications and shortlist candidates.
- Candidate tracking: A comprehensive candidate tracking system will allow you to organize, store and access your applicant data in one place.
- Searching and filtering: Advanced searching and filtering features will help you find the best candidates quickly.
- User-friendly interface: The user interface should be easy to use, with a clean, intuitive design.
- Reporting and analytics: A good ATS will provide in-depth reporting and analytics to help make informed decisions about your recruitment process.
- Compliance: Ensuring that the ATS is compliant with any relevant legal or industry-specific regulations is important for protecting your business.
- Integrations: It’s important to ensure the ATS can integrate with other software such as job boards, career sites, social media and other recruitment tools.
- Security: Security should be a top priority when looking for an ATS—it must be secure and protect your data from malicious actors.
- Mobile access: Many ATS now offer mobile access, allowing you to manage the recruitment process on the go.
These features will help you get the most out of your applicant tracking system and make recruiting easier. As you research different solutions, be sure to read customer reviews and compare features to find the right ATS for your business.
ATS Pricing and Fees
It’s important to read the fine print when comparing ATS costs. While some providers have free plans, they limit things such as user number and functionality. For paid plans, check details such as the number of users, job posts, candidate pools and employees included. For example, Recruitee’s cheapest paid plan is $249 per month for unlimited users and five job slots.
To avoid overpaying for capacity you don’t need, decide beforehand how many users, candidates and positions your plan requires. In general, you can save money on your ATS by paying for an annual plan instead of on a month-by-month basis. For example, Breezy’s cheapest paid plan costs $189 per month and $157 per year.
Business Size Considerations
The size of your business will play a role in deciding which ATS is the best fit. For larger companies with multiple departments and hundreds of employees, an ATS with advanced features and high scalability is essential. Smaller companies may not need the same level of sophistication, so they may be able to get away with a basic ATS that is more affordable. Additionally, the features you need may vary based on your industry or the type of role you are recruiting for.
Generally, ATS will fall into three categories. These include small business ATS, agency ATS and enterprise ATS. Small business ATS are typically designed for companies with fewer than 50 employees and offer basic features such as job posting, applicant tracking and reporting. Agency ATS are designed for staffing firms and recruitment agencies, offering features such as job board integration and applicant tracking. Enterprise ATS are designed for larger companies and typically come with more advanced features such as automated workflows, talent management, analytics and predictive hiring.
Ask an expert
What should I look for in an applicant tracking system?
Alison Kilian
Small business, Technology, Entrepreneurship
Lauren Holznienkemper
Deputy Editor, SMB
An ATS is supposed to streamline hiring and save you time. Look for the features that will help you accomplish that. Automations, AI and templates are all great for enhancing efficiency. Integrations that work with your existing tools, from email to video conferencing, are another plus.
An applicant tracking system should provide an easy-to-use interface to both the hiring team and applicants. Features that support a good user experience include automatic notifications, reminders and robust search and filter functions.
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