Applicant Tracking Software

In today’s fast-paced hiring landscape, businesses—especially small and mid-sized ones—face growing pressure to find, attract, and hire top talent efficiently. If you’ve ever posted a job online and received hundreds of resumes, you know just how overwhelming recruitment can be. This is where Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) steps in as a game-changer.

But what if you don’t have an internal HR team to manage all this technology? That’s where outsourced HR services come in, offering not just recruitment support but also access to advanced tools like ATS without the overhead of managing them in-house.

In this blog, we’ll break down what an ATS is, how it works, and how outsourcing HR can help your business stay competitive and compliant while streamlining the hiring process.

What Is Applicant Tracking Software (ATS)?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a type of software that helps companies manage the entire hiring process—from job posting to interview scheduling and onboarding. Think of it as a digital filing cabinet combined with smart automation tools.

Key Features of ATS:

• Resume parsing: Automatically extracts key details from resumes.

• Candidate scoring: Ranks applicants based on skills, keywords, and experience.

• Job board integration: Posts job listings to multiple sites in one click.

• Interview scheduling: Coordinates availability between candidates and hiring managers.

• Collaboration tools: Allows HR teams to review, rate, and comment on candidates.

• Compliance tracking: Keeps records to meet legal and regulatory hiring standards.

Why Your Business Needs an ATS

1. Efficiency and Time Savings

An ATS can reduce time-to-hire by automating repetitive tasks such as resume screening and follow-up emails. It eliminates the need to sift through stacks of resumes manually.

2. Improved Candidate Quality

By filtering out unqualified candidates automatically, the system ensures that only the most suitable applicants make it to the next stage.

3. Enhanced Collaboration

Hiring decisions often involve multiple stakeholders. ATS platforms let teams share notes, feedback, and scores all in one place.

4. Data-Driven Decisions

With built-in analytics, ATS can show which sources are bringing in the best candidates and which stages of your hiring funnel need improvement.

How Outsourced HR Services Enhance ATS Use

While ATS software is powerful, using it effectively takes expertise. That’s where outsourced HR services come in.

1. Access to Premium ATS Platforms

Many small businesses can’t afford high-end ATS solutions like Greenhouse, Lever, or Jobvite. HR outsourcing providers often have access to these tools and include them as part of their service packages—giving you enterprise-grade technology at a fraction of the cost.

2. Expert Configuration and Setup

An ATS is only as effective as the way it’s set up. Outsourced HR professionals ensure that job templates, scoring systems, and automation rules are customized to match your company’s needs.

3. Ongoing Management and Optimization

From writing job descriptions to adjusting filters and reviewing analytics, outsourced HR teams continuously refine your recruitment process for better results.

4. Compliance and Data Privacy

HR providers stay on top of EEOC, ADA, and GDPR requirements—ensuring your hiring practices remain fair and legally compliant.

Case Study: ATS + Outsourced HR = Recruitment Success

Imagine a growing tech startup with 40 employees and no dedicated HR manager. They post jobs through Indeed and LinkedIn, but struggle to track applicants, schedule interviews, and respond promptly.

By partnering with an outsourced HR firm, they gain access to a professional-grade ATS. The firm configures the system, posts jobs, screens candidates, and even runs background checks. The result? Faster hiring, better talent, and more time for the leadership team to focus on growth.

Benefits of Outsourcing HR Beyond ATS

While recruitment is a major pain point for growing companies, outsourcing HR provides value across the entire employee lifecycle:

• Payroll management

• Benefits administration

• Compliance and risk management

• Employee relations support

• Training and development programs

• HR policy creation and enforcement

By outsourcing, companies can access a team of HR experts without the cost of building an internal department.

When Should You Consider HR Outsourcing?

You should think about outsourcing HR if:

• You’re spending too much time on hiring, payroll, or compliance.

• Your team lacks HR expertise, and you can’t justify a full-time hire.

• You want access to tools like ATS without investing in software licenses.

• You need scalable HR solutions to match your company’s growth.

Choosing the Right HR Outsourcing Partner

Here are a few things to consider when selecting a provider:

• Experience: Do they have expertise in your industry or size of business?

• Technology: Do they provide access to quality ATS and HR software?

• Services: Are they offering full-service HR or just a few functions?

• Support: Is there a dedicated account manager or 24/7 support?

Top U.S.-based HR outsourcing companies include ADP, Insperity, Paychex, and Justworks—but there are also many specialized firms for startups, nonprofits, and remote teams.

An Applicant Tracking System can transform your recruitment process—but only if used correctly. For many businesses, the best way to unlock the full potential of an ATS is by partnering with an outsource HR service. These professionals don’t just give you access to the tools—they make them work better for your business.

Whether you’re a small business scaling up or an established company looking to streamline operations, HR outsourcing can help you stay competitive, compliant, and efficient—without the headache of managing everything in-house.

---

Frequently Ask Questions

1. Is ATS used in the USA?

Yes, ATS is widely used in the USA by companies of all sizes to streamline recruiting, automate resume screening, and improve hiring efficiency.

2. Which applicant tracking system is best?

Some of the top-rated ATS platforms include Greenhouse, Lever, iCIMS, Jobvite, and BambooHR—each offering unique features suited for different business needs.

3. How much does ATS cost?

ATS pricing varies by provider and company size. Small businesses might pay $50–$200/month, while enterprise systems can cost several thousand dollars monthly.

4. Which ATS do most companies use?

Popular choices include iCIMS, Workday, Greenhouse, and Taleo. Many Fortune 500 companies use these due to scalability, integrations, and compliance features.

5. Which country uses ATS?

ATS is used globally, but the highest adoption rates are in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and parts of Europe, where digital hiring practices are widespread.

6. What ATS does Walmart use?

Walmart reportedly uses Workday as its primary ATS, enabling efficient management of high-volume hiring across its stores and corporate operations.