# 7 Applicant Tracking Software Features Businesses Need to Accelerate Hiring

Recruitment has gotten more competitive these past few months as work candidates now have more options than ever. The global shift towards remote work has made it possible for recruiters to hire people from anywhere. Now the global talent pool is your oyster!

By [James Yorke](https://gohire.io/blog/author/james-yorke)

## Benefits of applicant tracking systems

There are many benefits of applicant tracking systems. Some of the most compelling include these three main advantages:

### Reach a bigger audience

Now that more people are looking for jobs online, it’s good to go where people might already be [90% of recent job seekers](https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2015/11/19/1-the-internet-and-job-seeking/) have sought out jobs online. You must be visible on virtual platforms and hiring sites to have a substantial application pool.

[Applicant tracking systems do more than track](https://gohire.io/applicant-tracking-system); they allow you to add openings to dozens of job sites and social platforms so more job hunters see your openings.

### Streamline the hiring process

Another way applicant tracking software can [improve the hiring process](https://gohire.io/blog/tips-to-improve-the-hiring-process-with-ats) is by streamlining it. The manual administrative work attached to hiring and recruitment can easily overwhelm hiring managers, recruiters, and HR professionals.

With all sorts of automation, ATS software can lessen the repetitive work so that recruitment staff can focus on more crucial parts of the workflow.

### Get the best employees

With a more streamlined process comes a better job applicant experience, improving the likelihood that you hire the right candidate for your job opening. There are fewer delays in feedback and interview scheduling. Moreover, all kinds of tools on applicant tracking systems ensure you hire the person that fits the role best. These tools are more than adequate in providing necessary support for talent managers that need a more objective way to [evaluate candidates](https://gohire.io/candidate-screening).

## Applicant tracking software features to accelerate hiring

Now that you know why using applicant tracking software is crucial for your HR operations, let’s look at how this system can help you do that. Here are applicant tracking software features that help accelerate the hiring process for your company:

### Job posting

As part of your ATS requirements, there should be some form of job posting manager. This tool enables businesses to advertise their job openings to several employment portals and job boards, assuring a greater reach. A customised application process is made possible by the custom application forms and questions, and the process is kept structured by candidate monitoring and communication management.

### Resume management

As part of ATS tracking, your applicant tracker should also have a resume management feature. This function simplifies the hiring process by collecting and maintaining candidate information and resumes in a single database. Resume management systems have resume parsing, a feature that automatically collects pertinent data from resumes and stores it in the ATS.

### Applicant scoring

An applicant tracking system's applicant scoring function is a helpful tool for businesses looking to evaluate applicants uniformly and objectively. Each candidate receives a score from the feature based on established standards, including their application, CV, and question-and-answer sessions.

### Interview scheduling

An applicant tracking system's (ATS) [interview scheduling function](https://gohire.io/interview-scheduling-software) is another great feature if you’re looking to expedite the interview process. By automating the planning and scheduling of interviews, the functionality makes it quick and simple for recruiters to plan and confirm appointments with applicants.

### Automated communications

Applicant tracking software also automates communications between applicants, hiring managers, and other stakeholders during the employment process. This feature automates time-consuming and repetitive email activities, allowing recruiters to concentrate on more crucial responsibilities.

### Integration

An applicant tracking system's app integrations feature allows additional software programs into the ATS, enhancing its functionality and improving the hiring procedure. You can link your tracking system with job platforms, social media, CRMs, HRIS, project management tools, etc.

### Onboarding

After finding the right person for the job, you’ll want to onboard them well. This helps ensure that your new hires remain in the company for a long time. On study shows that great onboarding can [increase retention rates by up to 82%](https://www.hrcloud.com/blog/employee-onboarding-statistics-you-must-know-in-#a).

## Human resource is changing

Many principles around great recruitment and people management remain intact. People still look for reliable leadership, job applicants seek fair compensation, and job markets remain competitive. While the way we express these principles through the years has changed, tools like applicant tracking software significantly streamline the process.

HR managers and recruiters should maximise these tools whenever they can, given how available and affordable they can be. When we learn to maximise these tools, we can get better results with less effort and input.