Hiring the right people is tough, especially for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that are growing fast. As your team expands, managing resumes, scheduling interviews, and keeping track of candidates can become overwhelming. Without the right tools, great candidates might slip through the cracks, and hiring can take much longer than it should.
This is where applicant tracking systems (ATS) come in. These smart hiring tools help businesses organize, automate, and speed up recruitment. Whether you’re hiring your first employee or scaling to a larger team, an ATS can make the process smoother, faster, and more efficient.
In this blog, we’ll explore how applicant tracking systems work, their key benefits, and why they’re a must-have for growing businesses.
What Are Applicant Tracking Systems?
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is a software tool that helps businesses manage their hiring process. Think of it as a digital assistant that:
- Stores and organizes resumes in one place.
- Tracks candidates through each hiring stage.
- Automates repetitive tasks like resume screening.
- Makes it easy for teams to collaborate on hiring decisions.
Some ATS platforms are simple, while others use AI and automation to do even more, like scanning resumes for keywords, scheduling interviews automatically, and even predicting which candidates are the best fit.
Benefits of Applicant Tracking Systems for Growing Businesses
Centralized Hiring Management
No more digging through emails or spreadsheets to find resumes. An ATS keeps all candidate information in one place, making it easy to review, sort, and compare applicants.
Faster Screening
Manually reading hundreds of resumes takes time. An ATS scans resumes for keywords, skills, and experience, instantly filtering out unqualified candidates so you can focus on the best fits.
Better Team Collaboration
Hiring isn’t just an HR task, managers and team leads often need to give feedback. An ATS lets everyone involved share notes, rate candidates, and make decisions together.
Improved Candidate Experience
A slow hiring process frustrates job seekers. An ATS ensures timely responses, status updates, and a smoother application process, helping you attract top talent.
Compliance & Data Security
Handling personal data comes with legal responsibilities. A good ATS helps you stay compliant with privacy laws (like GDPR) and securely stores candidate information.
Higher Quality Hires
By speeding up screening and reducing human bias, an ATS helps you find better candidates faster—giving you more time to focus on interviews and culture fit.
Key Features to Look for in an ATS
Not all applicant tracking systems are the same. Here’s what to look for:
- Resume Parsing & Smart Search: Automatically extract key details (skills, experience) from resumes.
- Custom Hiring Workflows: Adapts to your hiring stages (screening, interviews, offers).
- Job Posting Distribution: Posts openings to multiple job boards with one click.
- Interview Scheduling: Syncs with calendars to book interviews faster.
- Analytics & Reports: Tracks time-to-hire, source of best candidates, and more.
- HR & Payroll Integrations: Connects with tools like QuickBooks or BambooHR for seamless onboarding.
Common Myths About Applicant Tracking Systems
Myth: “ATS is only for big companies.”
Truth: Many affordable ATS options are designed for SMBs and startups.
Myth: “ATS rejects good candidates automatically.”
Truth: ATS filters can be adjusted—you control what gets screened out.
Myth: “They’re too expensive.”
Truth: Cloud-based ATS solutions offer flexible pricing, often with free trials.
Wrap Up
Growing a business means hiring the right people, quickly and efficiently. Applicant tracking systems take the stress out of recruitment by automating tasks, improving organization, and helping you make smarter hiring decisions.
If you’re ready to streamline your hiring process, investing in an ATS is a smart move. Look for a system that fits your budget, scales with your growth, and makes hiring simpler—so you can focus on building a great team.
Need expert support to find and hire the best talent?
Connect with Hire Labour today. We provide top-tier staffing services across Canada, helping businesses grow with the right people in the right roles.
FAQs
What is an applicant tracking system (ATS)?
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is a software tool that helps businesses manage their hiring process. It organizes resumes, tracks candidates, automates screening, and makes collaboration easier for hiring teams.
Do small businesses really need an ATS?
Yes! Many people think applicant tracking systems are only for big companies, but that’s not true. Small and growing businesses benefit just as much, especially when handling multiple job applications.
Will an ATS automatically reject good candidates?
Not if it’s set up correctly. Some fear that an ATS filters out strong applicants too harshly, but you control the rules. You can adjust keyword matching, scoring, and screening criteria to ensure no great candidate slips through the cracks.
Can an ATS post jobs to multiple job boards?
Yes! One of the best time-saving features of an ATS is its ability to distribute job postings across multiple platforms (like Indeed, LinkedIn, and niche job sites) with a single click. This maximizes visibility and attracts more qualified applicants without manual effort.
