An image of people discussing how to use ATS software

Applicant Tracking Systems

How to Use ATS Software to Its Full Potential: 7 Expert Insights for Recruiters

September 25, 2023

Kiran Kazim

Kiran Kazim

Content Writer

Ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of job applications pouring in?

In the digital age, a recruiter’s role has become more intricate, making the use of tools like applicant tracking systems (ATS) indispensable. Yet, as many recruiters will attest, simply having the software doesn’t translate to hiring success. The magic lies in leveraging its full potential. 

If you’re ready to transform your recruitment strategy, it’s time to dive deeper to learn how to use ATS software. Here are seven expert insights to help you unlock the full capabilities of your ATS and streamline your hiring process.

Leveraging Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) The Right Way

An image of recruiters discussing how to use ATS software

In today’s competitive recruitment landscape, which is riddled with various challenges and the pressing need to identify the perfect candidates, applicant tracking systems (ATS) stand as a powerful and invaluable resource.

When one ponders, what ATS software is used for, it’s essential to realize that its utility extends far beyond the traditional role of merely sorting resumes. ATS emerges as a multi-faceted platform, capable of handling intricate tasks such as fostering robust candidate relationships, providing actionable insights through deep analytics, and seamlessly integrating with other crucial HR tools.

Its versatility is particularly evident when we consider the comprehensive view of recruitment. From posting a job vacancy to onboarding a candidate, numerous stages require meticulous attention. ATS simplifies these stages, ensuring that each step is not only efficient but also effective. For instance, with candidate relationship management, recruiters can nurture potential hires, building a rapport that ensures a smoother transition for candidates from applicants to employees.

Moreover, with the invaluable analytics provided by ATS, recruiters can make data-driven decisions, refining strategies to attract top-tier talent. When integrated effectively with other HR platforms, the entire recruitment process becomes a cohesive, streamlined journey. 

In a nutshell, by fully harnessing the functionalities and best practices associated with ATS, recruiters are not just simplifying their tasks; they are elevating the entire recruitment process to new heights of efficiency and effectiveness. The invitation is clear: delve into the depth of ATS, and let it revolutionize your approach to finding the best talent.

7 Proven Strategies for Maximum Success: Learn How to Use ATS Software

An image of a hiring manager learning the full potential of an ATS software

ATS revolutionizes recruitment with features like customization, optimized job postings, automated screening, great candidate experiences, robust analytics, mobile compatibility, and ongoing training. Harness its full potential for a game-changing recruitment approach.

Tailoring Your ATS Experience with Customization

In the diverse context of recruitment, each company starts on a unique journey to find its ideal candidates. This distinct journey raises an often-asked question for those new to the arena, what is ATS used for? At its core, ATS is much more than just a recruitment aid. Its true strength lies in its malleable nature, crafted to be adaptable to individual company needs. With the myriad of customization options available, recruiters can delve deep, tweaking even the smallest of functionalities such as adjusting filters for specific skills, modifying recruitment stages based on company processes, or redefining candidate pipelines to match the flow of potential hires. It’s this detailed personalization that makes ATS an invaluable asset. 

When recruiters truly grasp and harness the breadth of its customization capabilities, they are not only streamlining their recruitment process but aligning it in harmony with their company’s unique vision and objectives. In doing so, they transform ATS from a mere tool into a strategic partner, driving recruitment success.

Supercharge Your Hiring Process by Optimizing ATS Job Postings

Job postings stand as guiding beacons, signaling opportunities, and inviting potential talent into the fold of an organization. Given their significance, it’s unsurprising that HR professionals frequently think about how to use ATS in recruitment to make their listings more compelling and noticeable. 

ATS, with its sophisticated capabilities, offers more than just a system for disseminating job ads across platforms. It elevates this process by integrating SEO optimization tools, ensuring that each job listing is tailored for maximum visibility in search engine results. An effectively optimized, SEO-friendly job posting doesn’t just increase the chances of being seen—it also resonates with the ideal candidates, presenting the role and the company in a manner that sparks interest and motivation. 

By harnessing ATS for this optimization, organizations can transform their job postings from mere listings into powerful magnets, drawing in the most suited talent with precision and allure.

Effortless Screening with ATS Automation Strategies

Recruiters often experience the feeling of being lost in a maze when they have to sift through a multitude of resumes, navigating through the twists and turns, hoping to find the right path to the perfect candidate. In this vast context of candidate applications, ATS emerges as a lighthouse of efficiency and precision. This system is embedded with advanced automation tools designed to meticulously scan and sort resumes based on predetermined criteria. 

By mastering how to use the ATS for efficient screening, recruiters can transition from manual, time-consuming evaluations to a streamlined process that automatically highlights the most qualified candidates. The result? A significant reduction in hours spent on initial screenings, allowing recruiters to allocate their time and resources towards engaging in-depth with the top-tier, most promising applicants. It’s a transformative approach, ensuring that the daunting task of resume review becomes a smooth, efficient, and highly productive endeavor.

Elevate Candidate Experience for Top Talent Engagement 

At the heart of any successful recruitment strategy lies the candidate experience. It’s a two-way street: while companies are in search of the perfect fit, candidates are equally discerning, gauging potential employers by their interaction during the hiring process. In this context, ATS becomes more than just a tool for the recruiter—it becomes an ambassador of the company’s values and professionalism.

Top-tier ATS platforms seamlessly integrate features that prioritize the candidate’s journey. Features like automated response systems ensure that candidates receive timely acknowledgments, affirming that their application has been received and is under consideration. 

Real-time status trackers empower candidates with knowledge about where they stand in the hiring process. These tools, when combined, craft an application experience that is transparent, respectful, and reassuring. By capitalizing on these ATS capabilities, companies not only streamline their recruitment process but also send a clear message to candidates: “We value your time, effort, and aspiration to join us.” This heightened experience often translates into a positive perception of the company, fostering trust and enthusiasm among potential hires.

Data-Driven ATS Insights with Analytics

Data has now become the bedrock of decision-making across industries, and recruitment stands at the forefront of this revolution. ATS platforms, recognizing the pivotal role of data, have evolved to include robust analytics functionalities. These tools transform vast arrays of raw data into coherent, actionable insights for recruiters. 

Whether it’s discerning which job platforms consistently yield high-caliber candidates or understanding the nuances of the hiring cycle’s duration, ATS analytics offers a window into the intricacies of the recruitment process. Armed with this knowledge, recruiters are empowered to make data-driven adjustments to their strategies, streamlining operations and honing their approaches for maximum efficacy. By using ATS analytics, the recruitment process is elevated from a game of guesswork to a precise, informed strategy.

Did you know that more than just an analytics tool, EVA-REC EVA-REC is a next-gen ATS that helps companies from all across the globe source, attract, and hire top talent at scale? EVA-REC also offers unrivaled accuracy and precision in analytics. With a single glance at its intuitive dashboard, you’ll gain a comprehensive overview of the current state of your recruitment efforts, including key trends, bottlenecks, and success metrics. But that’s not all – EVA-REC takes things to the next level with in-depth insights into all aspects of your hiring process, empowering you to take immediate action and make data-driven decisions.

In essence, EVA-REC elevates your talent acquisition experience, ensuring you’re not just gathering data but truly harnessing it for actionable insights and continual improvement.

Seamless Recruiting on the Go with Mobile Compatibility

In an era dominated by smartphones, job hunting has transformed, with many candidates turning to their mobile devices as primary tools for seeking new opportunities. As the lines between desktop and mobile continue to blur, the importance of a mobile-compatible ATS becomes crystal clear. No longer just a ‘nice-to-have’, it’s imperative that an ATS caters to these on-the-move job seekers with a flawless mobile experience. 

A system optimized for mobile use ensures that candidates can navigate job listings, submit applications, and interact with potential employers with ease, regardless of where they are or what device they’re using. By ensuring mobile compatibility, recruiters not only cast a wider net, capturing a more diverse set of applicants but also demonstrate an understanding of modern job-hunting dynamics, offering a user-friendly experience that aligns with contemporary expectations.

The Power of Continuous Training and Updates

Now that technology is rapidly evolving, resting on laurels can quickly render even the most advanced systems obsolete. ATS platforms are no exception to this, continuously undergoing refinements and introducing innovative features to cater to the dynamic world of recruitment. To keep pace, it’s imperative for organizations to invest in regular training sessions. These sessions empower recruitment teams to adeptly navigate the latest tools, ensuring they fully leverage the capabilities of their ATS. 

Beyond mere adaptation, a well-trained team is positioned to anticipate shifts in recruitment trends, allowing them to not just respond to changes but to proactively shape and lead them. In essence, continuous training ensures that an organization’s recruitment process remains at the cutting edge, turning challenges into opportunities.

The promise of ATS goes far beyond mere applicant tracking. It offers a symbiotic relationship, where its capabilities amplify as recruiters understand and utilize its myriad features. The insights outlined above serve as a road map, guiding recruiters toward mastering ATS and, in turn, reshaping their recruitment landscape.

Final Note On How to Use ATS Software

In the digital era of recruitment, ATS isn’t just a tool—it’s a game-changer. By harnessing these seven expert insights, recruiters are not just navigating the hiring landscape; they’re mastering it. Dive deep, exploit every feature, and remember: in the world of talent acquisition, it’s those who fully leverage their tools that lead the pack.

Still looking for the right ATS?

EVA-REC is a next-generation applicant tracking system. By harnessing the power of AI and advanced recruiting analytics, it simplifies the hiring process, doing away with time-consuming admin tasks. Dive into smarter recruitment and prepare your organization for the workforce of tomorrow with EVA-REC.
Experience the difference firsthand—request a free demo today!

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Author

Kiran Kazim

Kiran Kazim

Turn top talent to employees fast

Hire, assess, onboard and manage top talent for every job. See how Elevatus streamlines everything; from acquire to new hire.

Request a demo