How Applicant Tracking Systems Like Greenhouse Help Your Hiring Process
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Most CEOs and executives agree on one thing: hiring exceptional talent is their #1 priority -- it will literally make or break their company. Yet, far too often, their hiring process is outdated and doesn’t reflect their priorities. Enter the applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Why You Need An Updated Hiring Process
Hiring is frequently approached with a “that’s how it’s always been done” attitude, but traditional hiring practices involving never-ending email chains and messy spreadsheets fall short when faced with today’s dynamic, competitive job market.
So it’s out with the old and in with the new. Time to get you the right person for the job with an updated hiring process.
How Do I Streamline My Hiring Process?
These days, one job posting alone can field hundreds of resumes, so your recruiting efforts need to be as effective as possible. From the moment the role is first created to when a hiring decision is made, you want to provide a consistent hiring experience that eliminates wasted time and resources in the long run, which is why recruiters and hiring managers implement applicant tracking systems (ATS). An ATS automates and optimize routine aspects of hiring for a seamless, stress-free process. Let it take the reins, and the stress, for you.
What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?
From posting your job listing to sending out your offers, an ATS will guide you along every step of the way and centralize all your data. According to a 2018 Jobscan survey, 98% of Fortune 500 companies use an ATS.
Most ATS softwares offer a wide range of features to optimize team efficiency and improve the candidate experience. These include algorithms that scan resumes, sorting and ranking candidates, posting to a wide range of job boards at the click of a button, generating interview requests via email and texts and keeping teams on track to meet hiring goals.
These tools help you achieve better consistency, mitigate biases, and reduce redundancy and interview time.
By working through piles of new hire paperwork virtually, an ATS allows your hiring managers to focus their efforts on what matters most, like qualifying candidates for qualities not found on a resume and company culture fit. In fact, a 2019 poll by LinkedIn suggests that hiring professionals rank identifying soft skills in candidates as the most important element to the future of HR.
Additionally , with an ATS, you provide a better candidate experience, quicker response times, follow-up and consistent and reliable communication. CareerBuilder notes that 86%of candidates expect to be treated with the same respect as employees, but only 42% felt that was actually the case. When your applicants feel they’re being treated honestly and evaluated fairly, they’re more likely to take your offer down the line.
What Are Most Popular Applicant Tracking Systems?
It’s clear that an ATS will help you zero-in on the perfect candidate, and save you time and money in the long-run. In fact, SmartRecruiters found that an ATS can increase applicant volume by 118%, save 48% of time for HR professionals on hiring-related activities, and lead to a 53% faster response time and help hiring managers find better candidates faster.
However, all applicant tracking systems aren’t the same so when it comes to implementing an ATS, which should you go with? Each offers a unique set of key features and below I compare the top 5 most popular applicant tracking systems so you can find the one that best fits your needs.
Greenhouse
Pros
Greenhouse is widely considered the best ATS for the mid market. It boasts the best in category API, which means it’s very effective at extracting data from candidate materials and integrating with your existing website or hiring platform. Additionally, it emphasizes diversity and inclusion, to address the inherent biases and lack of diversity that’s prevalent in the hiring process.
It also offers integration with third party applications like Zoom, Calendly, and BambooHR. This makes scheduling and hosting meetings seamless, as you won’t have to log into and manage multiple softwares for the different elements of your hiring process.
Cons
In general, the user interface (UI) of greenhouse isn’t the most intuitive, and there aren’t any in-app tutorials. Other processes can also seem tedious -- it’s challenging to make changes to offers on Greenhouse, even details as simple as the start date require re-approval for all previous approvals. Additionally, support is only available via email which can lead to long wait times before your issues are tended to.
Candidate Search and Import Features
Advanced search through Amazing Hiring integration
Social recruiting tool
Candidate Management Features
Candidate gating questions
Resume parser
Customization Features
Custom application forms
Custom workflows
Custom branded website
Pricing: Basic, Standard & Premium tiers operating on a cost per employee model
Trial? Book a demo to get an overview of the platform
Workable
Pros
Workable offers attractive price points across the board, whether you’re a small company or an industry giant. It comes with a rich feature set and wide range of job search options. It also has HR tools like job posting and requisition, as well as useful automation features and integration with various job boards (Recruit.net, US Jobs, SimpleHired, Adzuna). The platform also enables roles for various members of the recruitment team and unlimited user accounts, so that everyone can be hands on in the hiring process.
The most unique feature of Workable is People Search, their integrated candidate sourcing tool. You can use it to search 400 million+ online candidate profiles by skills, job title or name, creating a unified candidate profile with the details it finds. This can save you up to 30 minutes of Internet sleuthing per candidate and allow you to get the full picture of the candidate sooner.
Cons
Workable doesn’t have the most fleshed out customer support system, with assistance available only via phone or email. It also lacks integration with larger HR platforms, integrated background checks, an integrated onboarding system and it’s not available on Mobile.
Candidate Search and Import Features
Advanced search
Social recruiting tool
Candidate Management Features
Candidate gating questions
Resume parser
Candidate self-service career page
Interview management
Customization Features
Custom application forms
Custom workflows
Custom branded website
Price: Starting from $19/month
Trial? 15 Days Free
iCIMS
Pros
iCIMS was one of the original SaaS companies in the HR space, so you can trust that they’re seasoned professionals. Their feature set caters to small to medium businesses as well as large enterprises and are frequently mentioned as one of the absolute ATS softwares. They continue to evolve and innovate with their acquisition of TextRecruit in 2018.
The iCIMS platform operates on desktop and mobile, with multiple user access and support available via blog, email, FAQ and phone. It offers integration with iCIMS onboarding, as well as CRM systems, job boards, social networks and career sites. The software also includes integrated background checks. in-app email records, and job posting and requisition.
Cons
Unfortunately, the iCIMS UI isn’t the best on the market. It can feel fiddly at times, with an unnecessary number of clicks and buttons in your way to reach an applicant workflow or your documents. There is also only limited access for hiring managers and third-party vendors, and no applicant scoring system included.
Candidate Search and Import Features
Advanced search
Social recruiting tools
Candidate Management Features
Candidate gating questions
Assessment Tests
Candidate self-service career page
Candidate evaluation forms
Referral Management
Interview Management
Customization Features
Custom Application Forms
Custom Workflows
Custom Branded Website
Custom Reports and Dashboards
Price: Available via demo
Trial? No.
BambooHR
Pros
BambooHR is a user-friendly software that’s incredibly quick to learn, with multiple user accounts, configurable permission groups, and a mobile app for easy access. Some of its most appealing features include tools for onboarding, integration with payroll and free job boards (Indeed, SimplyHired) e-signatures, attendance tracking and performance management. The process is streamlined for candidates and onboarding hires is straightforward. If you need support it’s available via phone, email, and forums.
Cons
BambooHR is pricier than similar products, and lacks some features that you may not end up needing while also lacking necessary features like integrated background checks, job listing, a resume parser, and interview management there are quite a few gaps in BambooHR’s feature list on the recruiting side though it may be a more reliable onboarding tool.
Candidate Search and Import Features
None
Candidate Management Features
Candidate self-service career page
Applicant scoring system
Customization Features
Custom application forms
Custom workflows
Custom branded website
Custom reports and dashboards
Pricing: Starts at $169.00/month
Trial? 7 Days Free
Jobvite
Pros
With a focus on candidates, Jobvite’s software boasts impressive tools for the creation and management of mobile-optimized career sites, and a host of onboarding functions. It has intuitive functions, including on the mobile app, and integration with HRMS, Outlook, Google Calendar and job boards.
This software includes impressive features for employee referrals, requisitions, and interviews (like the Smart Scheduler which scans multiple interviewers calendars to pick the best time). Its search tool is also powerful, allowing recruiters to look for candidates by name, keywords, workflow, location, or date of application. Jobvite is considered one of the best suited solutions for medium and large-size companies, and should you find yourself confused by its many offerings, instructional demos are available alongside support via blog, email, FAQ and phone.
Cons
Jobvite does not include job posting integrations, and candidate notes are not as easily accessible as they are on other platforms. As well as this, it is lacking a few features such as assessment tests, candidate evaluation forms, and an applicant scoring system.
Candidate Search and Import Features
Advanced search
Social recruiting tools
Candidate Management Features
Candidate Gating Questions
Resume Parser
Candidate self-service career page
Referral management
Interview Management
Customization Features
Custom application forms
Custom workflows
Custom branded website
Custom reports and dashboards
Price: Starting at $500/month
Trial? 30 days free
How To Choose The Right Applicant Tracking System
At the end of the day, no one can tell you which software to go with as it’s completely dependent on your company's needs and desires. With that in mind, though, here are three simple tips for choosing the right ATS for you.
Look For Bells & Whistles
When it comes to ATS softwares, the additional features can actually go a long way in streamlining your hiring process. Keep an eye out for applicant tracking softwares that can schedule interviews, integrate with other applications you rely on, and other bits and bobs that just make your life easier.
Be Clear On Your Priorities
The long list of enticing features offered by every ATS can distract you from your primary goal. Consult with your team to identify the main issues you want to solve and get clear on 3-5 non-negotiables to guide your decision making process. You may have to compromise here and there, but you can almost definitely find a solution that tackles your top few goals.
Remember: You’re In It For The Long Run
Ideally, you’ll have your ATS in place for the next several years, at least. Choose a software that meets your needs now, while also having scope to adapt to future needs as your company grows and evolves.
Final Thoughts
While a modern ATS can seem like a costly investment right now, just think of all the time and money it will save you, long-term. Don’t forget that your talent is a competitive advantage for your business, and with a more cut-throat labor market than ever before, it’s worth putting your best foot forward to get the cream of the crop.
Ready to make a change?
Grab my step by step guide Climb the Ladder: a Recruiters Guide to Landing the Job to help you stand out during each step of your journey.