When you have a pretty simple recruitment process or you only hire a few candidates each year, a free ATS can be an ideal way to make your hiring process faster and simpler. In many ways, free applicant tracking systems (ATS) are somewhat of a light or zero version of the paid version. But here’s the good news: sometimes that doesn’t matter. So what can you expect from a free ATS?
1. Multi-channel job posting
An ATS can be particularly helpful with its ability to post job listings across several platforms in one go. It saves your HR employees a bundle of time and immediately expanding the opportunities of finding the right candidates. A job listing created with an integrated ATS is usually sent via XML feed to the designated job boards. This is a functionality you can expect from most free systems.
2. Customise career page branding and communication
Career sites that focus on conversion and look good are essential for the recruiting of any candidate. Most applicant tracking systems allow you to use their employer branding tools that will help you build your own, customised career page. They usually also allow you to embed messaging and media into all candidate communication.
3. Aggregate and manage resumes
As the applications trickle in after posting your job on both your career site as well as job platforms, an ATS will help you aggregate and sort the resumes of applicants. Several free applicant tracking systems have the function built in that allows searching of candidates in your applicant pool — by job title, skill set, background or any other component you focus on in your search.
4. Screen and assess your applicants
Most free applicant tracking systems allow for the option to automatically screen and assess applicants, through natural language processing and artificial intelligence. These systems typically scan resumes, look for keyword matches, and use other algorithms for further data analysis.
Then, through a pre-submitted screening wherein you pose questions essential for the job (such as the ability to work remotely or prior experience in the industry), you can filter out irrelevant candidates. Rather than focusing on each candidate that comes in, it allows for recruiters to focus squarely on those identified as a great match.
5. Automate your communication
Recruiting teams that operate without an ATS often spend a fair amount of time on repetitive tasks. Think of: e-mail communication, interview scheduling and rejection letters. These tasks can all be done by your (free) ATS. It typically depends on the specifics of each applicant tracking system, of course, but simple communication can be automated — and it can run as far as full, large-scale process automation. This is one area where you can save recruiters and HR employees a lot of time.
What free ATS suits my company?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) will save any business a bunch of money, time and effort in a recruitment process. Sadly, the system usually comes at a price of its own. For those running small companies or on limited budgets, we’ve accumulated a list of 7 free applicant tracking systems for your recruitment in 2022.
