What is an ATS?

ATS stands for applicant tracking systems or applicant tracking software. An ATS serves as your recruitment and recruitment hub and allows you to automate several parts of the process to connect with high-quality candidates. It also helps you keep track of past and current applicants and communicate with them easily. The features offered vary significantly by product, but they can help speed up tasks such as creating job ads, reviewing applications, managing applicant data, communication and scheduling.

What is an AI ATS?

Adding artificial intelligence into ATS programmes expands the capabilities and makes automation possible. It uses AI to help speed up tasks such as screening applicants and scheduling interviews. Artificial intelligence has a learning component to improve the results, and it’s more advanced when it comes to helping with tasks like evaluating CVs.

6 benefits of an AI ATS

When deciding whether to try new technology, comparing the pros and cons gives you a clearer picture. You can gain the following benefits by choosing an ATS with AI functionality:

1. Serves as central command for recruitment

Your AI ATS serves as the central hub of your recruitment data and efforts. It’s easy for everyone involved in the recruitment process to access information about applicants. Your team can perform almost all activities, from posting a job to completing new recruit paperwork, within the ATS. This can prevent duplication and help document the process.

2. Offers upgraded features

Any ATS can help you keep recruitment data organised, but one with artificial intelligence adds innovation to the process. It can help speed up CV screening, looking for experiences and skills that might not be represented by keywords.

3. Automates several functions

The automation component takes care of several time-consuming tasks related to recruiting new employees. You can use AI to help speed up scanning CVs, conducting initial interviews, communicating with applicants, and scheduling interviews. This can help create a smoother process for your team and applicants.

Automation can also help reduce your time to recruit, which increases your chances of securing your preferred candidates. Jobseekers applying to multiple roles may accept an offer quickly. If you’re using a slower recruitment process, you could miss out on the people you want in your team.

4. Saves your team time

Your recruitment team is likely balancing many tasks. In a small company, they may handle multiple responsibilities, not just recruitment or HR duties. Larger companies with higher-volume recruitment needs keep their recruiters busy with numerous vacancies. By moving some of those duties to the ATS, you give your staff more breathing room for other responsibilities. For example, they can spend more time interviewing candidates without feeling rushed.

5. Improves the results

Working with AI through your ATS could potentially help improve the outcomes you achieve from your recruitment. Doing everything manually can result in missed opportunities due to employees being under pressure. 

6. Offers insightful analytics

Your AI ATS can provide valuable data about your recruitment and recruitment processes. It can show metrics such as time to recruit, candidate engagement, and applicant sources. This helps you identify where to improve procedures. Better recruitment can enhance the quality of work from your new recruits and increase their tenure with your company. Longer retention saves money on future recruitment costs.

Drawbacks of AI ATS

It’s also helpful to look at potential drawbacks when using AI in your ATS. Possible issues include:

• Less of a human touch: the software handles a large part of the process, which can make you feel disconnected from recruitment and the hiring process.

• Comfort with technology: adapting to new technology takes time, especially if your recruitment team prefers traditional methods. Some staff may resist if they’re not keen on innovation.

• Cost: upgrading your ATS involves costs to purchase and implement the software. However, it has the potential to save you money overall in your staffing costs and through improved recruits.

• Possible misses: even with the advanced screening, it’s still possible for ATS AI to overlook applicants who could be a strong fit for your company.

• Regulations: you may face regulations on using AI in business practices. Check national and local rules before investing.

How to use it in your recruitment process

Not sure how to get started with AI within your ATS? Start by reviewing your current ATS, if you have one. It may already include AI features you’re not using. Since you’re familiar with the system, tapping into those functions can be an easy way to begin.

If you don’t already have an ATS with AI capabilities, start by finding one that suits your needs. Become familiar with the system and gradually transition various recruitment activities to it. Some things you can do with AI include:

• Create job descriptions
• Promote your job ads
• Help speed up application screening
• Conduct initial interviews
• Schedule full interviews
• Send important communications to applicants
• Send automated responses to applicant queries
• Make job offers
• Complete new recruit paperwork

Decide which parts of the process to move to the system. Incorporate new functions as you become more comfortable.