Just like any part of any business, there can be some preconceived ideas about applicant tracking systems. Whether these are based on bad experiences with legacy applicant tracking systems, or simply bad customer service, is a matter for conjecture. The bottom line is that these preconceptions can influence the selection process. And while some of these preconceptions may have been true in the past, in-house recruitment software providers have, in the most part, come a long way- both with the solutions they offer and also with their customer service. So here are 6 myths that we’d like to debunk about modern applicant tracking systems and recruitment software vendors:
1. Recruitment Software is Expensive
We actually find customers usually save money when moving to a modern applicant tracking system. A modern applicant tracking system can make time and efficiency improvements allowing in house teams to increase capacity without increasing the headcount of the recruitment team.
Rather than just looking at the cost of the software, work out how much money you’re spending on your talent acquisition strategy as a whole. Do you outsource any part of it? What is your cost of hire? The figure might be higher than you think.
EXAMPLE: Royal Mencap Society made a £145,000 annual cost saving by moving to a modern applicant tracking system.
2. Recruitment Software Acts as a Barrier Between Candidate and Recruiter
A modern applicant tracking system should tackle a lot of the administrative process of recruitment. By using clever automation, applicant tracking systems can start to free up your time. This actually means recruiters have more time to spend engaging with candidates on a one to one basis, not less.
Effectively the right applicant tracking system can improve your candidate experience, and allow you personalise it per candidate.
3. It is Difficult to Update the Software
This varies from provider to provider. However, most modern systems offer updates free of charge. For examples, Eploy customers have benefitted from free updates such as our award winning dashboards and analytics suite.
Free updates has two main avantages for users:
- It means the software is contantly improving and adpating to market conditions.
- It means the software is always up to date, based on changes in legislation and other enivronmentally conditions.
4. Recruitment Software is not Flexible
Most modern applicant tracking systems are highly configurable. From variable workflows, to custom application questions. It is important that software can be tailored to the way you want to work.
5. I Can Manage with Spreadsheets
Spreadsheets are probably a lot more labour intensive than a modern applicant tracking system. Usually most growing organisations reach an inflection point, when the cons of spreadsheets outweigh the pros. It is important to recognise this point in your organisation’s growth because it is when productivity will start to be negatively affected.
Modern applicant tracking systems can allieviate a lot of the administrative burden associated with recruiting from spreadsheets.
EXAMPLE: See how Peter Brett Associates moved from spreadsheets to a modern applicant tracking system and reaped the rewards.
6. It is Difficult to Contact Support
This varies from provider to provider, so it’s a good question to ask during the sales process. Some providers have email only support as standard. Other providers, like Eploy, have inclusive phone support where you can always get through to a real person.
Think about the kind of support you might need, as this will vary based on your situation.
So there you have it! 6 myths: debunked! Feel free to contact us with your own myths if you have any.