What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?
An applicant tracking system, or ATS, is software that manages job postings, applications, and candidates through every stage of the hiring process, from initial application through offer and hire.
Why does an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) matter?
Without an ATS, recruiters end up managing candidates through email and spreadsheets, which breaks down quickly past a handful of open roles and makes compliance recordkeeping unreliable.
How does an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) work?
An ATS centralizes job postings, candidate applications, resume parsing, communication, and reporting in one system, letting recruiters move candidates through defined stages and giving hiring managers a shared view of every requisition.
Frequently asked questions
Is an ATS the same as an HRIS?
No, an ATS manages the hiring process specifically; an HRIS manages ongoing employee data like payroll, benefits, and performance after someone is hired.
Do small businesses need an ATS?
Even small hiring volumes benefit from an ATS once a business is managing more than a handful of open roles at once, since it prevents candidates and communication from falling through the cracks.
How BrightMove helps
BrightMove is a full ATS built for staffing agencies, RPO firms, and internal talent acquisition teams alike. Explore BrightMove for staffing agencies.