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Even though it was mandated during the COVID-19 pandemic, remote working is becoming a growing trend globally for many other reasons. First of all, it is an ideal option when you want to source the best global talent. Besides, companies are now finding mechanisms of transitioning to it without compromising productivity while saving costs.
That being said, while recruiting from across geographical boundaries, human resource managers find it challenging to filter the best candidate from a wide talent pool. A single job advert can attract thousands of applications. Screening these vast amount of applications can be a daunting and cumbersome without a proper system in place. Fortunately, some technologies can help streamline these processes.
In this post, we discuss the art of improving remote hiring using applicant tracking software. Enjoy reading!
Applicant tracking software is important for hiring, but there's more to HR tools. Dive into our articles on AI tools for HR professionals, cloud HR software, and the best HR software for onboarding. These resources provide you with insights beyond hiring, helping you manage HR tasks effectively.
1. About Remote Working Applicant Tracking Software
Imagine a situation where a company needs to hire five employees. After making an advertisement, it gets a thousand applications. Companies often use different technological tools to make hiring and onboarding easy. They help in managing a large number of applicants and choosing the best employees. One such tool is the applicant tracking system (ATS).
So, what is ATS, and what does it do? An applicant tracking system is a program that helps in searching, organizing and maintaining a database of job applicants. If you are handling multiple applications, tasks, and processes, this tool is for you. It is fairly easy to collect and sort thousands of resumes with this system and perform other tasks such as collaborative hiring and regulating onboarding tasks.
2. Why Use Remote Working Applicant Tracking Software
One of the biggest challenges faced by the human resource department in organizations today is recruitment, management and retention of the best talent. Every company is striving to hire the right resource for the right job. But often when sourcing digitally, the roles and responsibilities can be blurred, HR managers can end up filtering a partially matched resource or a complete mismatch leading to escalated hiring costs with no ROI.
This problem can be solved by the ATS that helps narrow down a long list and help the HR team get the right person.
Here are other reasons to use ATS for recruitment:
2.1 Helps Your Company Source Intelligently
One of the most important benefits is that you can research and find the best avenues to source candidates using the right applicant tracking system. The software provides recommendations on which career sites and job boards or portals you need to onboard the right candidate.
Sourcing skills and talent intelligently saves you time and also links you with the best candidates. Most importantly, it helps you build the right workforce for your company. Statistics indicate that the global outsourcing market enjoys billions of US dollars every year. In fact, it raked 92.5 billion in 2019 alone.
2.2 Makes Your First Impression Great for Ideal Candidates
Experienced remote employees are used to the virtual world. When such candidates come to the career portal, it has to provide a seamless experience to make the first impression. That means a career portal that is hard to navigate makes your ideal candidates lose interest.
You can avoid navigation problems with an applicant tracking and onboarding system. It helps you build your company’s brand and attract the best workers. Most importantly, you can create customized dashboards relevant to the talent or skills you need. That gives your employees a rough idea of what they should expect if chosen to work for your company.
2.3 Allows You To Conduct Personalized Video Interviews
While applicant software can perform many functions, one of the most vital ones is easing the interview process. It makes it easy for you to interact with applicants from anywhere in the world through video interviews. Even though you can use video conference tools, the ATS is a one-stop shop that can streamline the interview process from start to finish.
2.4 Incredible In Handling Onboarding Tasks
Posting an advert for jobs and working opportunities in your company is easy. However, following recruitment procedures and adhering to relevant laws is not. You also have to capture their details correctly. It helps in assigning tasks as per standard guidelines and processing payments.
Recruitment management software can help you simplify the onboarding process. It gives you a checklist of all onboarding tasks that you ought to follow throughout the process. It also makes it easy for applicants to sign documents electronically, so you reduce paperwork.
2.5 Provides Useful Feedback Specifically Through Analytics
Applicant software has an analytics feature that reports how your recruitment processing work is proceeding. It is easy for you to make any changes you need along the way with such progress reports. Following are some recruitment metrics you can get:
- Job postings that attract the highest number of candidates
- Timeframes for hiring and cost per hire
- Channels that attract the best talent
- Summaries of candidates’ skills, ages and years of experience
Note also that a sound ATS system can also provide realistic projections. It makes predictions based on the resumes and answers to interviews that candidates supply. With such information, it becomes easy to streamline your recruitment procedures.
3. Overview of The Best Best Applicant Tracking Software
| BambooHR | Best applicant tracking software for small to mid-sized businesses |
| Jobvite | Best applicant tracking software for candidate sourcing metrics |
| iCIMS | Best applicant tracking software for enterprise-level recruitment management |
| Zoho Recruit | Best applicant tracking software for customizable recruitment workflows |
| Bullhorn | Best applicant tracking software for staffing and recruiting agencies |
| Oracle Taleo Business Edition | Best applicant tracking software for performance management and compensation management |
| Workable | Best applicant tracking software for user-friendly interface and mobile app |
4. Selection Criteria for the Best Applicant Tracking Software
A quick search on recruitment solutions will lead you to many options. While all promise to help you manage the recruitment process, their features vary. That implies, their performance also varies. So, to get the best online recruitment software from many options, you need to have a way of narrowing it down your options to one. Here are factors to consider so you make the right decision.
4.1 User Experience
The user experience should top your checklist when assessing different recruitment solutions. Please note that user experience here implies that the system should be user-friendly on your side as the employer and on the side of candidates as well. If the convenience is one-sided, you won’t enjoy it as it will make your recruitment process a bit difficult.
4.2 Integration Capabilities
Select an applicant tracking software that integrates with other complementary services. It should allow you to import data, get valuable analytics, and export data as you wish.
4.3 Scalability
Choose a system that you can scale up to handle multiple or complex hiring processes for your organization. You should also ensure that it is a flexible one. As your company grows, the system should also grow with it. With such a system, it becomes easy to scale up and down anytime.
4.4 Support and Updates
A recruitment tracking system is only beneficial for your company or hiring process if you can get instant support in case of challenges. It should also have an update feature that lets you know what is happening and the subsequent steps during the recruitment processing phase.
4.5 Proven Track Record
Find out what other users have to say about the job applicant tracking system you want to obtain. Note that you are not the first one to use it. So, ask others about their experience and choose software with a track record of successful use by other agencies or companies. You can also get useful information from reading reviews. If you find many positive reviews on different websites, that is a great product worth trying.
5. 7 Best Applicant Tracking Software
5.1 BambooHR: Best applicant tracking software for small to mid-sized businesses
BambooHR is designed to help you easily manage and track applicants, streamline onboarding processes, and access real-time analytics. It also offers a mobile app for easy access on the go.
What makes Bamboo HR Unique?
BambooHR is a solid ATS option for businesses looking to streamline their hiring process. Its ease of use and customizable workflows make it a popular choice among recruiters, although it may not have all the advanced features and integrations that larger organizations require.
Key Features:
- Customizable job postings and application forms
- Automated resume parsing and candidate scoring
- Collaboration tools for recruiters and hiring managers
- Interview scheduling and feedback management
- Onboarding tools to streamline the hiring process
- Reporting and analytics to track recruiting metrics
Pricing:
Pricing is available on request.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface that's intuitive for both recruiters and candidates
- Customizable workflows to fit your hiring process
- Integration with popular job boards and social media platforms for increased visibility
- Mobile app for recruiting on-the-go
- Automated email communication to keep candidates informed and engaged
Cons:
- Limited customization options for the career portal
- Lack of built-in diversity and inclusion tracking
- Limited integration options with other HR software
- Some users have reported occasional glitches or slow performance
5.2 Jobvite: Best applicant tracking software for candidate sourcing metrics
Jobvite provides end-to-end recruiting capabilities with automated workflows and powerful reporting tools. It can integrate with other systems such as applicant tracking, HRIS, and CRM solutions.
What makes Jobvite Unique?
Jobvite ATS offers a wide range of features that help streamline the recruitment process. n addition to its core features, Jobvite ATS also offers a range of add-on modules, including Jobvite Hire, which is a full-featured applicant tracking system, and Jobvite Engage, which is a recruitment marketing platform that helps companies attract and engage candidates.
Key Features:
- Candidate sourcing metrics to help recruiters can see which sources are generating the most applications and hires, allowing them to focus their efforts on the most effective channels.
- Candidate search to make it easy to identify the best candidates for a job opening and quickly move them through the recruitment process.
- Career page configuration to match their branding and provide a seamless candidate experience
Pricing:
Pricing is available on request.
Pros:
- Comprehensive and user-friendly platform
- Ability to manage the entire hiring process in one platform
- Integrations with other HR software and services
- Advanced analytics and reporting capabilities
- Strong social recruiting features
- Mobile app for recruiting on-the-go
Cons:
- Limited customization options for the candidate portal
- Customer service is slow and needs an overhaul
5.3 iCIMS: Best applicant tracking software for enterprise-level recruitment management
iCIMS is a comprehensive Talent Acquisition Platform offers an array of features including job posting optimization, candidate management, and reporting & analytics. It's used by many Fortune 500 companies due to its robust functionality.
What makes ICIMS Unique?
One of the key strengths of iCIMS is its flexibility and customization options. Companies can tailor the platform to meet their specific needs by choosing from a variety of add-on modules and integrations. These modules include tools for recruitment marketing, employee referrals, and video interviewing, among others. iCIMS also integrates with other HR tools and services, such as job boards, social media platforms, and background check providers.
Key Features
- Job Requisition Management to help recruiters create and customize job postings for their open positions, including job descriptions, requirements, and qualifications
- Customizable application form for applicants that allows recruiters to capture the required information from candidates.
- Duplicate candidate prevention to prevent candidates who are already in the system from being added again
Pricing:
Pricing is available on request.
Pros:
- Tracks Applicant status in regards to the current application and previous applications.
- Allows flawless integrations between iCIMS Talent Cloud and our current HCM/HRIS.
- Gives good metrics/graphs of open/closed jobs.
- Provides pre-set emails for different stages of the hiring process
Cons:
- Since iCIMS is a comprehensive software, it has a steep learning curve
- The customer support is slow
5.4 Zoho Recruit: Best applicant tracking software for customizable recruitment workflows
Zoho Recruit helps organizations find top talent quickly through features like resume parsing, sourcing tools and automated email campaigns. It is a part of Zoho’s comprehensive offerings.
What makes Zoho Recruit Unique?
Zoho Recruit offers a wide range of features to help recruiters manage their recruitment tasks more efficiently, from job posting management, resume parsing and tracking, to candidate communication and reporting. Zoho Recruit also integrates with other HR tools and services, such as job boards and social media platforms, and provides mobile apps for recruiters to manage their recruitment tasks on the go.
Key Features:
- The software is designed with simplicity in mind, providing a guided and foolproof experience for recruiters and hiring managers
- It integrates with other HR systems and job to help to streamline the recruiting process and increase the visibility of job postings.
- Offers easy-to-use assessment tools to help evaluate candidate skills and qualifications.
- Provides a blueprint for the entire recruiting process, helping to ensure that every step is optimized and efficient
Pricing:
Free Edition - $0 | Standard Edition - $25/recruiter/month |Professional Edition - $50/recruiter/month | Enterprise Edition - $75/recruiter/month
Pros:
- Provides comprehensive candidate history across other applications
- Offers great Integrations
- The application process is seamless
- Helps track all communication with candidates
Cons:
- Reporting structure could be more efficient
- The free tier has limited capabilities
- The interface is old school
5.5 Bullhorn: Best applicant tracking software for staffing and recruiting agencies
With its range of features such as automated workflow processes, integrated social media tools, advanced search options and more; Bullhorn makes it easier than ever to find quality candidates that fit each role perfectly.
What makes Bullhorn unique?
Bullhorn's CRM functionality allows recruiters to manage client relationships, track job orders, and generate sales reports. The software is designed with a user-friendly interface and provides robust analytics and reporting capabilities, making it an ideal choice for staffing and recruiting agencies looking to optimize their recruiting process
Key Features:
- Provides a comprehensive applicant tracking system that allows recruiters to manage the entire recruiting process, from sourcing candidates to onboarding new hires
- Advanced sourcing capabilities, including resume parsing, social media integration, and job board posting, to help recruiters find top talent.
- Provides robust analytics and reporting capabilities, allowing recruiters and hiring managers to make data-driven decisions about their recruiting processes.
Pricing:
Pricing is available on request.
Pros:
- The software platform is highly customizable, with a range of integrations and add-ons available to tailor the platform to the specific needs of the user.
- Scalable platform that can grow with the needs of the user. It is suitable for small businesses as well as large enterprises.
Cons:
- Lack of training material makes it difficult to effectively use the software
- Parsing is slow and not accurate
- The UI is complex
5.6 Oracle Taleo Business Edition: Best applicant tracking software for performance management and compensation management
Oracle’s cloud-based application helps recruiters source qualified candidates quickly while also providing them with insights into their recruitment process performance through detailed analytics and reporting capabilities.
What makes Oracle Taleo Business Edition unique?
The platform provides tools for managing the onboarding process, including managing new hire paperwork and tracking employee progress. The performance management tools enable users to set goals, track progress, and conduct performance reviews. Additionally, the software provides reporting and analytics tools to help users track recruitment metrics and performance metrics and make data-driven decisions.
Key Features:
- Performance management helps organizations set goals, track progress, and evaluate the performance of their employees.
- Recruitment management software to help automate and streamline the process of attracting, screening, and hiring the best candidates
- Compensation management to simplify the process of creating and managing employee compensation plans, including salaries, bonuses, and benefits
Pricing:
Pricing is available on request.
Pros:
- Cloud-based software that is accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, allowing for easy collaboration and remote work.
- User-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, making it accessible to users of all levels of technical proficiency.
- Customizable workflows and templates that can be tailored to the specific needs of your organization.
Cons:
- Cost may be a barrier for smaller organizations or those with limited budgets, as Oracle Taleo Business Edition can be quite expensive.
- Some users have reported that the software can be slow or laggy at times, which can be frustrating.
- Customization options may require more technical expertise or support from Oracle, which can add to the overall cost.
5.7 Workable: Best applicant tracking software for a user-friendly interface and mobile app
Workable is a comprehensive recruitment software that offers a wide range of features to help businesses streamline their hiring process. With Workable, users can easily post job openings to multiple job boards and social media sites, and track applicant data in a centralized database.
What makes Workable Unique?
Workable's applicant tracking system (ATS) allows users to track the progress of each applicant, from the initial application to the final hiring decision. Users can easily communicate with candidates through the platform, schedule interviews, and leave feedback for other team members. The platform also offers a range of reporting and analytics tools, allowing users to track key metrics such as time-to-hire and cost-per-hire.
Key Features:
- Succession planning tools to simplify the process of identifying and developing key employees, allowing HR managers to more easily track potential successors and develop career plans for employees.
- Performance metrics to easily monitor employee performance and identify areas for improvement
- Training management to help automate the process of tracking employee training, allowing HR managers to easily identify employees who need additional training
Pricing:
Paygo: $129/month | Standard: $299/month | Premier: $599/month
Pros:
- Fast & seamless publishing to job boards
- Ease of feedback entry and collaboration with the hiring team
- Ease of management across multiple open requests
Cons:
- Limited reporting features and analytical tools
- Limited customization reports
- Candidate search capabilities could be improved, as it can be difficult to filter and sort through large numbers of candidates in the database
6. FAQs
- What does an applicant tracking system do?
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is a software platform designed to help recruiters and hiring managers streamline and automate the recruitment process. ATS systems typically offer features such as job posting management, resume screening and parsing, candidate communication and scheduling, and reporting and analytics.
- How do I create an applicant tracking system?
Creating an applicant tracking system from scratch would require significant technical expertise and resources. However, there are many ATS software providers that offer customizable solutions that can be tailored to your specific recruitment needs. If you are interested in creating an ATS for your organization, it may be worth researching and comparing different software providers to find one that meets your needs.
- What ATS systems do recruiters use?
Some popular ATS systems used by recruiters include Workable, Bullhorn, and iCIMS.
