CrowdReviews.com, a site that rates and ranks various services and software, provides comprehensive reviews on the best applicant tracking software that recruitment and human resource firms use. These reviews can be very helpful for companies searching for the right software tool that will help their human resource department in their recruitment process. Checking the reviews also narrows down their search since CrowdReviews.com ranks these software according to its popularity and functionality. It is then easier for them to determine which software best suits the needs of their company.
What is an applicant tracking software? An applicant tracking software is a program that enables the electronic recruitment process, including the scanning, selection and rejection of applicant files and resumes. This application is similar to a Customer Relationship Management system although it is =specifically made for the handling of recruitment needs.
Shifting From Manual to Electronic Recruitment
The program’s initial role is to scan and filter applicant resumes with the use of certain preset criteria. Usually, companies use keywords, certain skills or work experience, among many others, as criteria in the electronic selection. The program automatically scans the resumes based on the criteria given and rejects any application that fails to comply with the criteria. The process is still similar to how human resource personnel selects and reviews resumes, except that the entire process can be done in a fraction of the time.
How does the applicant tracking software work? The applicant tracking software fulfills two basic purposes. First is to manage and handle bulk applications for certain positions. Some companies struggle with the number of applicants for a given position and a manual review of all those applications is too much work for their human resource personnel. Second is to automatically reject those resumes that lack the skills and do not fulfill any of the criteria given. Ideally, this software is designed to match the perfect candidate to the vacant position.
The applicant tracking system helps the recruiting personnel save time and effort since they are freed from the task of manually sifting through and reviewing every application that comes their way, whether in paper or sent through emails. It also helps to reduce clutter as everything is done electronically.
Most of these software work in similar ways. When an applicant submits a resume through the system, the program receives and stores the resume in the database. A staff then activates the keyword search. If your resume contains the designated keywords, the system then goes on to rank your resume based on the number of keywords found. The higher the number of keywords found means a higher rank for the applicant, which gives the applicant greater chances to be finally selected for the desired position.
In some cases, the system keeps all data and resumes in the database. Thus, if the employer decides to search through old applicants’ files, there is still another chance to get a position within the company. Aside from storing names and applications in the database, the applicant tracking system may also be used as a means of filing and reporting which allows the employer to keep a record of all applications, regardless of the status or the specific position applied for. This feature serves as an advantage for hopeful applicants since their applications are not totally rejected.
Functions and Privileges in Using the Applicant Tracking System
Aside from the more common functions such as keyword processing and resume scanning, the applicant tracking system is also used as a tool for pre-employment testing and tracking, job posting, and scheduling. Some software also boasts of an automated notification system for selected or hired applicants. Statistics, reviews, and evaluations may also be done through the software.
An applicant tracking software also has the ability to analyze and coordinate recruitment efforts. This allows the company to provide opportunities to its existing employees or to former applicants before the recruitment is opened to new applicants. These people are selected and identified using stored data which can easily be restored through the system.
This software makes the recruitment process a lot shorter and easier, allowing the human resource personnel to streamline the process and do away with the unnecessary details. Most companies prefer this electronic process because they can also do several other functions using the system. One of these is the capacity of the system to post job openings and to generate interview requests for potential applicants.
Another feature of the software is its multilingual capabilities. This function is especially helpful for companies who offer services to foreign nationals or those who have multiple company branches worldwide. The versatility of the software makes it greatly convenient for employers and recruiters to use.
The Fate of the Applicant Rests in the Hands of a Machine
While the use of the applicant tracking software has been gaining popularity, several setbacks and disadvantages have been observed by its primary users. On the part of the employer, there is a high probability that some applicants are more qualified than those selected by the system. Some qualified applicants may not be aware of how to optimize their writing skills in order to pass the electronic scanning, and their resumes may not contain the pre-selected keywords designated by the company. In this case, an applicant who has the right qualifications may be overlooked because his resume was not selected by the system. It is possible for the company to select and hire someone who is not highly qualified, but who simply has the right words in the resume submitted.
On the other hand, applicants need to master the art of writing resumes based on the electronic criteria. They need to make a resume that will have a greater chance of going through the electronic selection process so that they will have the chance to be seen and interviewed by a human resource personnel. Moreover, they have to write resumes that will make them rank higher. This entails greater work and effort on the part of the applicants.
Most applicant tracking systems are limited by the information that is acquired from the resume submitted by the applicant. When the resumes are not structured properly in a manner that is acceptable or fitting to the system, they can be automatically rejected. Successful hiring would greatly depend on the keywords and specifications included in the system by the hiring personnel. In certain cases, the recruiter will still not be able to find the best person for the job when that person’s resume does not work well with the applicant tracking software.
Beating the Electronic Recruiter
Due to the problems and issues that have been observed in the use of existing applicant tracking systems, several websites that offer software reviews such as CrowdReviews.com gather several information on how to handle the eccentricities of the system and give applicants an idea on the best way to write their resumes. Below are some of these tips.
- Simple Formatting. Most applicants cannot resist the urge to be creative in writing their resumes. This could work when human eyes are concerned, but applicant tracking systems require simplicity and conformity. It is best to stick to standard formatting because the software may not be able to read fancy fonts and exaggerated outlines, and may simply reject the resume outright.
Also, it is advisable to not include additional and unusual heading which the system might not be able to identify.
- Citing the Right Keywords. It is best to do a bit of research when writing a resume. Every profession has a distinct language. It is helpful if the applicant will stick to the usual terms used, as well as the usual skills required, responsibilities handled and other details that specifically pertains to the position applied for.
- Avoid Spelling Mistakes. A software cannot understand words that are misspelled. Moreover, a software will not have the heart to consider whatever reason for having any typographical error simply because it does not have one. Spelling mistakes will confuse the system and will most likely result to your resume being rejected for being incoherent.
For applicants, it is possible to succeed in going through the electronic application and recruitment process. It simply takes a lot of research and a great deal of effort to write the most electronically pleasing resume. For employers, the best applicant tracking system is at hand. One simply needs to find the best one that suits the needs and preferences of the company. Most software already encompasses all that a recruitment process requires. It also takes a bit of research to scan through sites such as CrowdReviews.com for the most recommended software available in the market today.
Check out Crowdreviews.com for the latest information and reviews on the best applicant tracking systems now.
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