What is an applicant tracking system (ATS)? How can it help?

The hiring process can be daunting, frustrating and lengthy (though, it doesn’t need to be) — for both companies and job seekers. Finding the right talent fast is more important than ever, as competition and global hiring trends expands. This is especially true for those aiming for flexible, remote-first hiring. 

This is where candidate tracking — or in other words, an ATS — comes in, a software solution that simplifies hiring by keeping track of job applications, managing candidate information, and helping recruiters find the right fit quickly. 

A  job seeker looking for the best role to align with their career goals, or a company striving to streamline hiring pipelines — understanding how an ATS works can make all the difference.

Let’s dive into what an applicant tracking system is, what it does, and how the right one can be used to make better hires, in less time. We’ll also explore how Remote Talent’s tracking system brings a fresh, flexible approach to talent acquisition on a global scale.

First, what does ATS stand for?

Let’s start with the basics. ATS stands for applicant tracking system. This software is designed to streamline the recruitment process by organizing and tracking job applications. 

Think of it as a centralized hub where all candidate information lives — from resumes and profiles to communication and interview notes. With an ATS, recruiters and hiring managers don’t have to shuffle through stacks of resumes, or dig through emails. Instead, they can access everything they need in one place, making hiring faster, more efficient, and organized.

For job seekers, an ATS can improve the job-hunting experience with visibility, tracking application statuses, and in some cases, an easy platform interface to clearly communicate with recruiters. An innovative, multifaceted ATS can improve candidate experiences too, just like Remote Talent’s.

What is an applicant tracking system?

An applicant tracking system, or ATS, is essentially candidate tracking software that automates multiple stages of a hiring pipeline. When candidates apply, their information is uploaded into the ATS, creating a digital profile that recruiters can review, rank, and manage at every step of the hiring journey.

A good ATS helps recruiters screen, communicate, and build a talent pipeline for future roles. Thats why an ATS is invaluable for companies. It can handle tasks like posting job ads, screening resumes, and tracking applicant status, all while storing candidate information for easy access.

For job seekers, an ATS can offer a transparent way to engage with companies and follow their application status.

Jobs and Talent —

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How Remote’s candidate tracking system works

If you’re a job seeker or employer interested in flexible, remote opportunities, the Remote Talent platform works a bit differently — going beyond typical ATS features. It’s built with a global workforce in mind, aligned with flexible companies looking for forward thinking talent, and job seekers who are like minded.

By cutting out unnecessary steps that frustrate job seekers and hiring teams alike, Remote Talent helps everyone focus on what really matters when hiring, instead. This means features like:

• Automated resume parsing: For job seekers, Remote Talent makes it easy to apply. Just upload your resume, and the system will parse it to create your profile automatically. No need for repetitive data entry. Everything from your experience to your skills is captured in one go.

• Visibility controls: Job seekers can control their visibility status, making their profiles searchable to recruiters only when they’re actively looking for opportunities. It’s a great feature for those who want to manage when and how they’re approached by employers.

• Candidate matching and communication: Remote’s ATS notifies candidates when a recruiter shows interest in their profile, creating a smooth, engaging process. Candidates receive an email and can respond directly to express interest in the role, ensuring quick and easy communication.

• Status tracking for transparency: For both job seekers and recruiters, Remote’s ATS keeps everything clear. Job seekers can track their application status, while recruiters can see where each candidate is in the hiring process — no missed updates or communication gaps.

How does applicant tracking software benefit employers?

For companies, candidate tracking tools can be useful for bringing a methodical structure to the hiring process. Here’s how they can help:

• They can organize candidate pipelines: A good ATS manages high volumes of applicants without losing track of individual talent. Recruiters can organize candidates into categories like "new," "shortlist," or "in review”, making sure there’s always a clear view of who’s where in the process.

• They can automate communication: When recruiters identify a great candidate, they can reach out directly through the ATS. Remote Talent’s platform has the option to send an email on behalf of the recruiter, keeping candidates informed and engaged.

• They can make job posting and management simple: ATS systems aligned with current hiring trends allow employers to post and manage multiple job listings easily, transparently and without compromising on quality, or key individual details. Filters and bookmarks make it easy for recruiters to sort through applicants and find the right fit, in less time.

• They can integrate with other ATS tools: Already using a different ATS? No problem. The Remote Talent platform can integrate with systems like Greenhouse, enabling recruiters to transfer profiles and resumes smoothly, without disrupting existing workflows.

ATS examples and where Remote’s integrations come into play

The applicant tracking space is a software area that’s growing in line with global hiring trends. Many platforms focus on select parts of the hiring process, or offer different options for different company needs. Here are a few examples of ATS platforms and how they compare:

• Greenhouse: Known for its integration capabilities and customization options. Plus, it’s popular among large companies, and has Remote integration options for global hiring.

• Workday: Often used by enterprises, Workday is known for its robust data analysis and HR management tools.

• Lever: Combines applicant tracking with customer relationship management (CRM) features, making it ideal for companies that focus heavily on building long-term candidate relationships.

Remote Talent: With its focus on talent acquisition for global and remote teams, Remote Talent has created a niche for companies keen to hire flexibly. It manages candidates and simplifies hiring for remote (or hybrid) roles — a solution that cuts out all the noise for employers already tuned in to the future of work.

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Why better candidate tracking tools are essential for global hiring

Using an ATS is no longer optional for companies with high hiring demands. From small startups to large enterprises, businesses across industries rely on applicant tracking to find and manage top talent. Here’s why an ATS is essential right now, once global scaling comes into play:

• Time-saving automation: ATS software automates many steps of the hiring process, from resume screening to communication. This frees up time for hiring teams, so they can focus on interviews and relationship-building with candidates.

• Better candidate experiences: A well-functioning ATS enhances the candidate experience, with transparency and timely communication. Job seekers know where they stand in the process, reducing anxiety and uncertainty.

• Better collaboration: With an ATS, hiring managers, recruiters, and HR teams can collaborate more effectively. Everyone has access to the same candidate data, helping to align stakeholders on communication and decision-making.

• Global reach with Remote Talent’s acquisition platform: Bringing an advantage to companies that want to access talent worldwide — Remote Talent was built by experts in the flexible, remote-first, global hiring space.

How Remote Talent’s candidate tracking boosts talent matching

The candidate tracking software built into this platform goes beyond basic applicant tracking, offering tools and features tailored to remote-first, global hiring. It’s designed for employers who operate flexibly, and for innovative, like minded job seekers.

• For job seekers: Remote Talent’s system makes showcasing your skills to a global audience (without all the time consuming hurdles), controlling your visibility, and keeping track of your application statuses easy. It’s a powerful way to connect with employers looking for talent who value flexible, remote or hybrid set-ups.

For employers: Remote Talent’s candidate tracking software gives hiring teams an organized interface for managing candidates, from anywhere, and everywhere. Its features are built for scalability, making it easy to find, screen, and hire talent, whether you’re a small team or a large organization.

A centralized global talent pool

It’s a platform that connects job seekers from around the world with companies looking for remote-first talent, creating a truly global job market. For companies, this means a wider talent pool and greater diversity in hiring options.

Scalability for high-volume recruiting

For companies managing large volumes of applications, Remote Talent’s candidate tracking offers tools like candidate bookmarking, filtering, and status updates to streamline the process.

Automated candidate matching and communication

Once a hiring team member identifies a potential candidate, they can contact the candidate directly through Remote Talent. The platform sends automated emails on behalf of the recruiter, notifying the candidate of their interest. This streamlined communication flow means less clunky, smooth interaction between recruiters and candidates, keeping everyone engaged and informed.

Say a recruiter finds a front-end developer profile that fits a job’s criteria, they can send a personalized message to the candidate with just a few clicks. The candidate would then receive an email notification, be able to view the job details and confirm their interest, all from within the platform too.

Candidate tracking and status updates

After initial contact, candidates move into a "contacted" queue, where their status updates based on their responses.This visibility allows recruiters to manage and prioritize follow-ups with clarity. For job seekers, this system means clear feedback and tracking of their application status, improving transparency and engagement throughout the hiring process.

Pipeline stages and candidate recommendations

Remote Talent’s candidate tracking function includes planned features like candidate recommendations and shortlisting capabilities. This gives hiring teams more tools to manage high volumes of applicants. By creating a “leads” or “in review” stage, recruiters are helped along with organizing prospects (automatically), when filtering through large applicant pools.

Holistic candidate tracking that filters in (rather than out)

With features designed for transparency, efficiency, and global reach, Remote’s global hiring solutions, and talent matching capabilities help both companies and job seekers navigate the future of hiring. There’s a focus on highlighting candidate skills that fit, rather than simply filtering out what doesn’t.