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How to Choose the Best ATS Software in 2023

Attracting the best talent is your number one priority. Fortunately, you can use technology to support your needs. Armed with the best ATS platform, you can streamline your hiring processes and effortlessly pinpoint the right candidates.

Whether you are looking to implement your first ATS or even switch to a new system, there are key features you need to look out for. Understanding how you improve your process is vital to your success. In the following guide, we will take a look at the factors you should consider when choosing an ATS. 

Create an equal and inclusive recruitment process

Equality is more than a mere buzzword. It should be a top priority within your employment and hiring strategy. One of the ways that you can make your business more inclusive is by ensuring that the application process is accessible to everyone.

Around one in five people of working age in the UK have a disability. So, it is essential to ensure that anyone with a disability is not deterred from applying for a vacancy with your company. With tools such as screen readers, voice activation software, and keyboard or mouth sticks, disabled individuals can easily navigate your online application form and independently apply for a job.

However, these advanced tools are not enough to aid someone with a disability, your website needs to be compatible. The best way to show that you are an equal and inclusive employer is to undergo rigorous testing and gain an accreditation. In fact, the Government expects all public sector websites to be a minimum WCAG 2.1 AA standard.

When you’re looking into different ATS systems, you should keep this in mind. By creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process, you are placing value in every candidate who applies to work for you and can base your hiring on talent.

Save the top candidates in a talent bank

In 2023, one of your strongest assets will be a carefully constructed talent bank, packed full of strong candidates who you’ve interviewed previously. Although these applicants didn’t get the job at the time, they have left a lasting impression on you. For that reason, you have decided to store their details within your ATS system for later use.

Should an employee leave unexpectedly, instead of scrambling around posting adverts and arranging interviews, you can tap into your talent bank of previous candidates.

With any talent bank, it’s always worth developing your relationships with your prospective employees, they may not be employed by you currently, but clearly, you can see them fitting in in the future. Why not drop them an occasional email to see how they are getting on? Not only does it build up a great rapport between you both, but it is a great way to keep your talent bank up to date.

It costs around £3,000 to hire each new employee, with a portion of that going toward marketing costs. Talent banks are a great way to save time and money when you’re recruiting for new positions. A great ATS system should give you the ability to create your own talent bank that you can dip into at any time. When you’re considering different ATS software options, be sure to keep this factor in mind at all times.

Make it easier (and quicker) for the right candidates to apply

Applicant Tracking Software(ATS) should offer the best candidate experience. When you’re choosing which software is right for you, you need to look for a system that makes the process both quicker and easier than ever before. Some ATS platforms offer a “rapid apply” feature for candidates, which means that they don’t need to register when applying for new roles. If you’re looking to attract the best talent swiftly, you don’t need to look any further.

Stand out from the crowd with real-time analytics

The core aim of your recruitment process is to find the best talent. However, competition is tough. Candidates can be looking at up to 30 jobs at any one time. As a recruiter, you have to beat the competition. That means not only attracting candidates of the right calibre, but also highlighting the reasons that this vacancy is superior to the rest. 

By having an applicant tracking system that offers real-time analytics, you can measure and track a wide range of data and compare them to your KPIs. This savvy approach keeps your recruitment on the right track. Thanks to real-time reports, you can see where your pinch points are in the recruitment process along with what is and isn’t working. You can use this analysis to fix any issues swiftly and keep your recruitment process moving.

There is a load of metrics you can use, such as Power BI integration for greater reporting control, API exports, and pre-scheduled reports. Armed with that information, your ATS software is there to help you continually adapt your approach to recruitment. Using a recruitment ATS gives you the tools that you need to ensure you stand out from the crowd.

Look for flexibility and customisation in your ATS

Using a “one size fits all” approach to ATS simply won’t cut it. You need a system that suits your team’s current workflow and processes. For that reason, one of the major things you should be searching for when it comes to this software is customisation. Having the ability to not only replicate your recruitment process but improve on it will make all the difference.

Find a business that configures the ATS software workflow to align with your requirements. That way, the system works to make every step of the recruitment process smoother than ever before. We know that every business — and its processes — are unique. Working with a team, helps you to ensure that the end solution is powerful and effective.

Get the ongoing training and guidance you need

If you’re new to working with an ATS, get the help you need. Opt for a business that offers a level of ongoing technical support and assistance. That way, should you have any questions further down the line, you can reach out and get the guidance that you need.

This move means that you won’t be left in the dark with your ATS system. You can navigate the system and use it to its best advantage. Look for a business that offers unlimited training from initial demonstrations all the way through to ongoing product support throughout the term of your contract. Whenever you have a question, query, or require some support, the team should be on hand to help you out.

Conclusion

Your ATS software should be there to support your processes and make your recruitment more efficient. For that reason, you need to use all that your ATS system has to offer. Getting to know the various features of the program will enable you to streamline your workload and get more from the software. In this guide, we have covered three of the main factors that may influence your decision when choosing the right ATS system. Reflect on how you want to improve your recruitment process and the tools that will demand.

Of course, we understand that every ATS software is different. However, Reach stands head and shoulders above the others with our intuitive, flexible, and configurable system that allows you to be proactive, not reactive when it comes to recruitment. We offer a customisable system that grows with your business. If you’re looking for a way to take your recruitment process to the next level, you can rely on our feature-rich ATS Software.

Ready to get started? Talk to our knowledgeable and friendly team today about how Reach can benefit you by calling 01527 574408 or email [email protected].