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The Quick Guide to Utilizing Applicant Tracking Systems to Your Advantage

Hiring isn’t easy.

Between writing job descriptions, sorting through resumes, conducting interviews and running background screenings, finding a new employee requires lots of work.

Fortunately, the right Applicant Tracking System can streamline your hiring and onboarding processes and save your company time and money. Here’s an overview of best practices for maximizing the potential of your ATS.

Post Your Job Opening 

An Applicant Tracking System makes advertising open positions faster and less labor intensive. After you have entered the job description into your ATS, most systems can automatically push the posting to your company website, job boards, online ad placements and even social media.

Identify the Top Applicants

Once you have pinpointed the top skills and criteria you would like your ideal candidate to have, you can set you Applicant Tracking System to pull only the most qualified applicants. You don’t have to waste time sorting through resumes that are not a good match.

Manage Resumes

Resumes may arrive through email, snail mail or an electronic application. Without a strategy in place, you may find applications scattered throughout the office. An ATS can collect all the resumes in one place either through uploads or a direct application process. In addition, the system converts every document to a standard format, pulls out relevant details and places information into pre-established fields. This allows you to compare candidates quickly and easily.

Organize and Track Interviews

Setting up interviews and evaluating a candidate, especially when working with a team, can be a Herculean task. However, an Applicant Tracking System can take on the duties of a personal assistant. An ATS will send invitations and calendar alerts to everyone involved in the interview process as well as links to the applicant’s resume. After the interview, team members can record their notes, start a dialogue or take a survey all within the candidate’s ATS profile. The information is easy to access and conveniently stored in one place.

Keep Detailed Records

A variety of federal, state and local laws regulate the hiring process. One of the best ways to remain compliant is to keep meticulous records. If you reject a candidate and legal issues arise, the applicant’s profile in the ATS database can verify you followed the correct procedures.

Create a Talent Pool

Often an applicant isn’t what you are looking for right now, but they may be a perfect candidate for an open position two months from now. An Applicant Tracking System lets you store, effortlessly search and revisit past applications. You don’t have to start over every time.

Simplify Onboarding

Many Applicant Tracking Systems will transfer information directly to a new employee file. This eliminates the need to enter data multiple times and reduces typos and other entry errors. Plus, you can focus on training your new employee rather than redundant paperwork.

Are You Looking to Hire Better in Buffalo, NY?

Metrodata Services offers pre-employment background checks and expert advice to help reduce your risk of hiring the wrong candidate. Find out more about the Screening Services We Offer today!