You implemented your Applicant Tracking System several years ago and have been chugging along using the same configuration and content when you went live. Managers, recruiters, and candidates are starting to say things like….
“I can’t access it on my mobile phone.”
“Why do I have to click 27 times to send an email?”
“Why does it look old and outdated?”
“The process doesn’t make sense for our location.”
Chances are your system needs to be updated and optimized. Often after you implement a new system and stabilize, you get stuck in a rut. You continue to use the system exactly the way it was implemented.
Here are four things you should consider when optimizing your Applicant Tracking System to help you win the war for talent:
- Candidate Experience
Candidates want to be able to apply to jobs quickly and efficiently. If the application is too long, you will lose their attention. The experience should be simple but also convey your brand and culture. Use job descriptions that contain real requirements – does that position really require a degree? And finally – make it mobile friendly.
- Workflows
One of the most common issues with workflows is that candidates get lost in the shuffle between when they apply and when they hear back from your recruiters. To avoid losing candidates, create custom steps and statuses that apply to your actual processes. Keep it simple, because the other common issue with Applicant Tracking Systems is that recruiters aren’t using the workflows correctly. If you have a workflow that is easy to use, and that works with your recruiting process, you can create an environment where it’s not only expected of recruiters to keep their candidates updated in real-time, but will also make their life easier! Sometimes the cookie-cutter approach won’t work; if you have drastically different processes by location or a line of business, consider creating different workflows for each.
- Job Requisitions
This is another process that you want to be easy and simple to use. Requiring a user to complete too many fields just to open a requisition will cause them to lose interest, and bail on using the system. Take some time to review your current process – are all the fields being used and necessary? Are there fields that you could complete later in the process (before posting) but are necessary for approval? Access to easy training and tutorials is also helpful, as most users that need to create a job requisition may only do so once a year, or less. Make it easy for them to access “How To” guides to walk them through the process if needed.
- Reporting
Most Applicant Tracking Systems have a built-in reporting tool – and it is highly underutilized. Reporting is a wonderful way to provide data and information to your user audience without having them log in and navigate through the system. Reporting also allows you to keep a pulse on all the activity that is happening – which can be great for helping to analyze where optimization is needed.
There are many, many ways you can optimize your Applicant Tracking System to yield real value. If you haven’t taken a close look at your current Applicant Tracking System lately, now may be the time. HRchitect has the technical expertise to assist you with your system optimization. We have worked with many different sized clients, industries, and systems, which gives us an expansive knowledge of best practice to help your organization. Further, if you are in the market for a new or replacement system, HRchitect’s Secure Selection process will help to ensure you choose the right system for your organization’s needs. In addition, our change management experts help to ensure that your organization adopts and gets the most from your new technology to ensure their new investment continues working best for your organization.