What is Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?
Definition: An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that automates and manages the recruitment process, from job posting and candidate application through interview scheduling, hiring decisions, and onboarding initiation.
Also known as: ATS, Talent Acquisition System, Recruiting Software, Hiring Platform
Quick Summary
TL;DRAn Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that helps organizations manage their recruiting and hiring process. It handles job postings, candidate applications, resume storage, interview scheduling, and hiring workflow. For staffing agencies, understanding ATS is essential—both for using their own ATS and for submitting candidates to client systems.
Key Facts
What It Does
Manages entire hiring workflow
Core function
Adoption
99% of Fortune 500
Market research
Key Functions
Post, track, screen, hire
ATS capabilities
For Agencies
Critical business tool
Operations
Why ATS Understanding Matters
Every meaningful recruiting operation uses an ATS. Candidates who don't understand ATS formatting get filtered out. Staffing agencies that don't master their ATS lose productivity. Recruiters submitting to client ATS systems need to know format requirements. The ATS is the central system in modern recruiting—understanding it is not optional.
Common Pain Points
- 1Candidate resumes rejected due to poor ATS formatting
- 2Recruiter time wasted on manual data entry
- 3Lost candidates due to poor ATS workflow management
- 4Format issues when submitting to client systems
How ATS Systems Work
Understanding ATS workflow helps optimize your recruiting.
- 1
Job Posting
Jobs are created in the ATS with requirements, then distributed to job boards, career sites, and other channels.
- 2
Application Collection
Candidates apply through various channels. The ATS collects applications, parses resumes, and creates candidate records.
- 3
Screening and Workflow
Candidates move through stages (screen, interview, offer). The ATS tracks status, enables collaboration, and maintains history.
- 4
Hiring and Reporting
Selected candidates move to offer and onboarding. ATS provides analytics on source effectiveness, time-to-fill, and process metrics.
Result
The ATS is the system of record for all recruiting activity.
ATS Deep Dive
Types of ATS
Corporate ATS (Greenhouse, Lever, Workday) manages internal hiring for companies. Staffing ATS (Bullhorn, JobDiva, Crelate) adds features for agency workflows like client management, submittals, and placements. Enterprise suites (Oracle, SAP) integrate ATS with broader HR systems. The right ATS depends on organization size, industry, and workflow needs.
ATS and Resume Parsing
ATS systems use parsing technology to extract candidate data from resumes. Parsing accuracy varies by ATS and resume format. Complex layouts, tables, graphics, and unusual fonts cause parsing failures. ATS-optimized resume formatting ensures candidate data extracts correctly, enabling accurate searching and matching.
Maximizing ATS Effectiveness
For recruiters: learn your ATS deeply, use automation features, maintain clean data, leverage reporting. For candidates: use ATS-friendly formatting, match job keywords, avoid complex layouts. For staffing agencies: understand both your ATS and client ATS requirements for seamless submissions.
Common Misconceptions
- ATS automatically rejects resumes
- All ATS systems work the same way
- ATS replaces human recruiters
- ATS is only for large companies
Popular ATS Platforms
| ATS Platform | Category | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Greenhouse | Corporate | Mid-market to enterprise hiring |
| Lever | Corporate | Collaborative hiring teams |
| Workday | Enterprise | Large enterprises with HR suite |
| Bullhorn | Staffing | Staffing agency operations |
| JobDiva | Staffing | Large staffing agencies |
| iCIMS | Corporate | High-volume enterprise hiring |
Major systems by category
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
Optimize for Any ATS
Professional formatting that works everywhere