Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

Glossary series

This is part of the Test Partnership glossary series for everyday learning.

PAGE CONTENTS

What is applicant tracking system (ATS)?
Other videos

section one

What is an applicant tracking system?

Lead consultant at Test Partnership, Ben Schwencke, explains what is an applicant tracking system.

1:04 Quickly understand an ATS.

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) product, which allows hiring managers and HR professionals to better manage their applicant pools. ATSs offer various functionality designed to reduce the administrative burden associated with moderate and high volume recruitment, and are thus especially popular with larger employers.

Typical ATS related features include application forms, automated emails, a recruitment stage Kanban, and data importing / exporting.

ATSs are usually purchased on a subscription model, typical of SaaS offerings. As a result, a wide range of ATSs are available on the market. Some ATSs are positioned to service larger organisations, and thus offer features which are particularly useful to high-volume recruitment. Other ATSs target smaller organisations, competing on ease-of-use and on price compared to the enterprise focused companies.

ATSs often integrate with third party software providers, particularly psychometric testing publishers.

A major consideration when choosing an ATS (or a psychometric test provider) is the availability of integrations. Integrating your ATS with your other software providers minimises the administrative burden placed on HR professionals, allowing them to work under a single platform.