The recruitment process is a long and cumbersome one, involving an elaborate list of challenges in finding and tracking the right candidate. Relying on an Application Tracking System or ATS in hiring is a smart shift for any business that doesn’t want to waste its time on rote tasks and aims to focus on making the right selection instead. ATS tools or talent management systems are a technological solution to the complex task of managing hundreds of applications in one place, smoothing out the many challenges that pop up in the process.
Hiring may have slowed down in 2025, but for businesses looking to improve their hiring systems in preparation for the upcoming year, the benefits of an application tracking system can make the process an efficient one.
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What Is the Purpose of ATS In Hiring? Understanding the Role of Application Tracking Systems
ATS or applicant tracking systems refer to recruitment tools that assist hiring teams through all the stages of the hiring process. Organizations often receive hundreds of applications for a single post. Those who are driven to hire the best candidate have the arduous task of going through these applications and communicating with a large number of them to conduct additional interviews before offering them a job. This assessing and organizing can grow cumbersome without the right tools.
Over 90% of Fortune 500 companies reportedly use an ATS in their hiring process, streamlining the recruitment system instead of relying on emails, Excel sheets, and other outdated methods of sifting through applications. This end-to-end assistance can cut down the hiring time significantly, allowing businesses to look at their top selections side by side to make the best pick for their needs.
The benefits of an application tracking system include:
- Support through every stage of the recruitment process
- Organization of applications for a specific post to make it easier to highlight high-potential candidates
- Easier communication with candidates, ensuring they don’t get discouraged and drop their application
- Scheduling support and management tools for catching a candidate at a good time for an interview
- Simplified process of managing candidates at different stages of the hiring process
- Improved candidate experience, making them more willing to take on the role
- Highlighted top picks for recruiters who can then communicate with managers and executives to make the final decision
- Data-driven decision making with all the relevant information laid out
- Reduced hiring time as it simplifies the process and makes selection easy
- Lowered costs for each hire, as it reduces the amount of resources that are spent on eliminating candidates who do not fit business requirements
When Is the Best Time to Use ATS Software?
The benefits of an application tracking system are relevant for businesses both big and small, although large organizations have greater hiring needs that an ATS software can address. Regardless of whether you need to hire one candidate for a role or are looking to expand a team with multiple hires, ATS tools can be useful in hiring.
They allow recruiters to create ideal candidate profiles, manage online job postings, filter applications, highlight the best candidates, simplify contacting these candidates, organize interviews, and help in the selection of the perfect candidate. If we’re looking at the best time to use an ATS, then it’s likely when hiring has to be conducted quickly for a vacancy that cannot be left unfilled for too long.
Why Should Organizations Invest in an ATS in Their Hiring Process?
The many benefits of an application tracking system make it a good investment for any organization, simplifying the hiring process for everyone involved. Recruiters can find, assess, contact, and select candidates with much greater ease, filtering through the application on the basis of business needs. Candidates selected via these tools are often a better fit for an organization than traditional methods allow.
On the other hand, job applicants also have a smoother time with their applications. Many job seekers give up on an application if the process is too long or inefficient. Candidates can also get frustrated when they don’t hear back from the company, settling on other opportunities that come their way.
An ATS can make it easier to get back to them quickly or give them clarity on why they weren’t selected for a role. Not only are satisfied candidates more likely to apply for the organization again under better circumstances, but they are also more inclined to purchase from or interact with the business later down the line. For businesses that want to go all in on HR technology, Human Resource Information Systems, or HRIS, offer a comprehensive suite of solutions for all their business needs.
Top ATS Options Available in 2025
If you are interested in using an ATS in your hiring process, there are many businesses that offer efficient options for HR teams and recruiters. While they all fulfill the same role, each one offers a different set of benefits that are important to review before making a selection.
Some top ATS options include:
- BambooHR: For analytics and data-based decision making
- Rippling: Has a vast set of tools for a comprehensive HRIS experience
- Greenhouse: Easy to use and scale
- Recruit CRM: Offers comprehensive AI-based tools for interested businesses
- Boon: Efficient candidate sourcing services
- Workable Recruiting: Best for smaller companies with limited experience with ATS tools
Ready to Invest in an Applicant Tracking System?
ATS tools have been used in hiring long before AI alternatives arrived to simplify processes. Many of these systems now also feature AI-supported services for businesses that are determined to explore the technology and its potential applications. Not all businesses have a need for an elaborate applicant tracking system, particularly those with infrequent hiring needs, but organizations that are getting set to scale up their organizations should consider working with their HR teams to explore the ATS services available on the market.
Heavily investing in hiring can backfire if the investments aren’t made in the right areas, and the many use cases of an ATS certainly make them a worthwhile investment. Instead of spending time on the manual, repetitive tasks of the hiring process, an ATS can allow HR teams and recruiters to focus on understanding the candidates and interacting with them to ensure the most eligible of the bunch is picked for the job. Simplifying and improving the employee experience starts by ironing out the creases in the hiring process, and relying on an ATS in hiring does just that.
Have you had any experience with applicant tracking systems in the hiring process as a candidate or recruiter? Share your experiences with us. Subscribe to The HR Digest for more insights on workplace trends, layoffs, and what to expect with the advent of AI.