You've probably heard the acronym ATS thrown around in recruitment circles, but what does it actually mean? ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System, often referred to as a recruitment system or candidate management system. It's a piece of software that helps companies manage and streamline the entire recruitment process, from posting a job ad to hiring a candidate.
But not all ATSs are created equal, and the myths surrounding them - especially about CV customization - are many. Let's clarify the concepts.
At its core, it's about managing large volumes of applications and data in a structured way. The benefits of using an ATS include:
Most ATSs offer basic functions such as:
Many candidates worry that their CVs need to be 'ATS-friendly' to avoid being selected by a robot. This comes from the fact that older, more basic ATSs often use CV parsing - they scan the CV for specific keywords that match the job ad.
The limitations of CV parsing alone:
Higher's different approach:
While Higher can handle resumes, our process does not rely primarily on resume parsing for initial selection. We believe in measuring actual competencies first:
This leads to a more fair, unbiased and accurate selection based on what the candidate actually knows, not just how well their CV matches certain keywords. So, instead of just focusing on an "ATS-compliant CV", the focus should be on clearly demonstrating their skills.
Today's best recruitment tools go far beyond basic ATS functions. They are strategic platforms for the entire talent acquisition process.
That's how Higher positions itself:
Higher is a modern recruitment tool and advanced ATS solution that combines efficient candidate management with a focus on quality and experience:
When evaluating ATS or recruitment tools, keep in mind:
An Applicant Tracking System is virtually indispensable for effective recruitment today. But don't stare blindly at traditional CV parsing. The best recruitment tool for modern companies is the one that, like Higher, helps you make better, more objective and skills-based hiring decisions - while giving your candidates a first-class experience.
Curious about a recruitment system that focuses on skills over CV?
Discover how Higher can transform your recruitment process. Start a free trial or book a demo!
ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System, which is commonly referred to as a recruitment system or candidate management system. It is a software to manage and streamline recruitment processes.
An ATS collects and organizes candidate applications. Many older systems scan (parse) CVs by keywords to rank candidates. Modern systems like Higher focus more on measuring actual competencies through questions and tests for more objective selection.
While some ATSs focus on CV parsing, systems (like Higher) that prioritize competency-based questions and tests over the CV are becoming more common. The key is to clearly demonstrate your skills throughout the application, not just using the right keywords in the CV.
Yes, Higher is a modern recruitment tool and an advanced ATS solution. It includes basic ATS features but adds value through a focus on competency-based recruitment, integrated tests, video presentations and AI-powered insights for more accurate and unbiased selection.
An ATS (Applicant Tracking System) is focused on managing the active recruitment process for specific job openings. A CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system in recruitment (sometimes called Candidate Relationship Management) focuses more on building and maintaining relationships with potential candidates (talent pools) over time, regardless of whether there is an active opening.
Author: Nicklas Wikblad
Reviewer: Moa Jacobsson