ATS implementation help accelerate hiring process and reduce hiring costs. However, poor adoption of an applicant tracking system (ATS) can severely impact your ongoing hiring system. When the team is unfamiliar and lacks proper assistance, you are more likely to get confused.
For smooth and easy adoption of an applicant tracking system, consider the following points:
1. Check if the ATS will accelerate your existing hiring process
ATS have proven to positively impact the hiring process. 94% of the recruiters said that it accelerated their hiring process (Capterra). While an ATS will improve your hiring at multiple stages, assess to what extent an applicant tracking system can benefit your hiring. Consider consulting subject matter experts and choose the best ATS for your recruitment needs.
2. Test the ATS for functionality
Generally, good ATS will have essential features to make hiring fast and easy. However, there could be ATS with standard features that do not meet your unique recruitment needs. Ensure you can use it for every other stage of your hiring process.
Thoroughly testing an ATS before going live will help you identify the need for optimisation. Ask your vendor to customise one or the other feature as per your recruitment needs.
Some of the must-have features to look for include –
- Job board integrations
- Candidate sourcing
- Career page
- Advanced search option
- Talent pool
- Analytics and report
3. Identify problems in adopting the ATS and plan mitigation
Adopting a new ATS will require some effort initially. Transferring data, uploading records and habituating to use an ATS will require some time. However, early adoption and usage can give you enough time to get used to the software. You will be able to use it effectively to hire good candidates faster.
Consult subject matter experts and refer to self-learning guides. Learn the most efficient way to use the ATS for each aspect of the hiring process, from sourcing to screening to scheduling and managing interviews.
4. Select an ATS which is easy to use and understand
With plenty of features and overwhelming functionality, an applicant tracking system may become complex to master initially. Be selective and choose software with a clear and easy-to-use interface. To maximise adoption of your ATS, choose one which is:
- Easy to learn without much training
- Easy to navigation
- Well structured
- Easy to explore without the fear of system breakdown
5. Give proper training to the recruitment team
A successful ATS implementation is when your recruitment team is trained to use it and hire faster at a reduced hiring cost. You can have a defined approach that explains how much time and effort you must put in for the desired outcome.
Train your recruitment team to effectively use an ATS and automate most of the manual activities. Train them to effectively use the communication and collaboration features to enhance teamwork in decision-making.
6. Check for post-implementation customer support
Generally, recruiters would be busy with their schedules. Hence, an appropriate self-learning guide and a video library must be sufficient when they get stuck using the software. If some question surfaces which is beyond the self-service guide, customer success support is most likely to solve them as soon as possible so that your hiring is uninterrupted and efficient. Vendors who are customer centric will always have multiple customer support channels to ensure a great customer experience.
A successful ATS implementation will allow you to use the new software to maximise performance. You will have an enhanced user experience using an ATS designed to innovate your hiring process. So, if you have decided to adopt an ATS, consider the PyjamaHR applicant tracking system. It is 100% free and customer-centric.
