What is an ATS? (Applicant Tracking System)
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that manages the entire recruiting workflow: job postings, applications, candidate pipelines, interviews, feedback, and offers. Common ATS platforms include Greenhouse, Lever, Workable, Ashby, iCIMS, and the recruiting modules inside Workday.
In more detail
An ATS centralizes candidate data and brings structure to hiring. Recruiters can source candidates, post to job boards, receive applications, schedule interviews, collect structured scorecards, and make offers all in one system. Most ATS platforms parse resumes, track EEO data, integrate with job boards, and report on funnel metrics like time-to-hire and offer acceptance.
An ATS is different from a CRM (which manages customer relationships) and from an HRIS (which manages current employees). Many companies use a recruiting CRM alongside the ATS for long-term candidate nurturing, especially for executive or hard-to-fill roles.
How it works
- Requisition approval and job posting.
- Resume parsing and candidate capture.
- Pipeline management by role and stage.
- Interview scheduling and scorecard collection.
- Offer management and e-signature.
- Reporting on time-to-hire, source effectiveness, and funnel conversion.
Related terms
Mini FAQ
ATS manages candidates. HRIS manages current employees. Many vendors offer both as modules.
If you run more than 5 active reqs concurrently, yes. An ATS reduces coordination overhead.
Most ATS systems rank or score candidates. Actual rejection should be a human decision to avoid bias.