Top-rated Hiring Tools: 5 Best Applicant Tracking Systems for Small Businesses

Remember the days when you'd spend endless hours tracking job applications manually, shifting through mountains of resumes, and getting lost in a maze of interview scheduling? Well, thanks to applicant tracking systems (ATS), those days are long gone. 

Applicant tracking systems level the playing field in sourcing top talent, allowing small businesses to step into the ring with corporate heavyweights. ATS transforms recruitment from a passive post-and-wait strategy into actively seeking, attracting, and securing the best employees available.

So, join Jobspage as we uncover the secret world of ATS. We’ll discuss why it's a game changer for small businesses, what criteria to consider in choosing an ATS, and present you with our favorite tools that’ll help you streamline your hiring processes. So, dust off your boxing gloves, put “Eye of the Tiger'' on repeat, and do your best mumbling Rocky impression. Let’s go! 

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What exactly are applicant tracking systems

So, let's get to it. Think of applicant tracking systems as the command center for all your hiring needs. Its robust software automates, streamlines, and improves the hiring process. Imagine it as your own personal assistant – working for you 24/7, handling everything from job posting to candidate management.

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Let's break down how it works. First, you create and post your job advertisement through your ATS. The system then gathers applications from various sources, organizes them, and provides a searchable database of candidate data – talk about efficiency!

Additionally, ATSs take it a step further by helping with the screening process. It uses algorithms to highlight resumes that match your job requirements. It's also your scheduling whizz – organizing interviews and keeping all parties in the know.

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Why small businesses shouldn’t ignore applicant tracking systems

The big question is – why are applicant tracking systems the best recruiting solutions for small businesses? Let's unpack this:

1. Sourcing winning candidates: Many businesses struggle to connect with high-caliber candidates. An ATS serves as a magnet, using artificial intelligence and machine learning to craft an ideal candidate profile. It can analyze skills, predict success, and scout job seekers more effectively, so you’ll always find the perfect match.
2. Streamlining your hiring process: Even with a first-rate talent acquisition strategy, the recruitment to onboarding process is complex, often involving several departments crafting job descriptions, broadcasting LinkedIn job postings, and scheduling interviews. With ATS, these time-consuming tasks are automated, reducing manual errors. The result? No invaluable applicant slips through the cracks.
3. Improving efficiency and lowering costs: Small businesses often operate within tight financial constraints. By automating routine tasks, you free up your team's time, allowing them to focus on more important issues. This results in higher productivity and lower overhead costs. Additionally, as your business grows, your ATS can grow with you, ensuring that you only pay for what’s needed.

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Applicant tracking system software is more than just a recruitment tool; it's a vital partner that transforms your hiring strategy, giving your small business a huge advantage in terms of recruitment.

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Key criteria for picking the best applicant tracking systems

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Choosing the right applicant tracking system can seem daunting, especially as there’s a sea of options available. However, when selecting an ATS, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• A user-friendly interface: Prioritizing a user-friendly dashboard ensures reliable navigation through your system, accelerating processes and shrinking the learning curve. It diverts time from grappling with the software to focusing on strategic tasks, thereby turbocharging your recruitment and talent pipeline.
• Balancing budget constraints: Look at the system's long-term value, focusing on hiring features that scale as your business expands. By carefully evaluating your financial standing and recruitment needs, you can select an economically sound and effective ATS.
• Seamless integration: Your ATS should integrate smoothly with your existing tech ecosystems, such as HR, payroll, or CRM software. This establishes a smooth data flow while keeping recruitment activities synchronized.
• Robust customer support: A comprehensive, responsive customer support system is invaluable when dealing with ATS-related issues. This not only minimizes potential interruptions but also contributes to a smoother and more reliable user experience.

Besides these points, also consider features like customization and the capacity to handle job requisitions effectively. Remember, the perfect ATS software should work for you, not against you.

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Best applicant tracking systems for small business

In the following section, we’ll look at each applicant tracking system, showcasing their standout attributes and the reasons why they could be a perfect fit for your small business.

For the TLDR version, here are our top picks:

1. Jobspage
2. Recruit CRM
3. Recooty
4. Manatal
5. 100Hires

Let’s get started: 

1. Jobspage

Jobspage’s applicant tracking system stands out for its simplicity and flexibility, making it an ideal choice for small businesses. Its intuitive and user-friendly interface allows even the most non-tech-savvy individuals to establish a professional presence. 

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Our dedicated careers page builder showcases job openings, promotes your brand visibility, and attracts potential employees, all within 5 minutes. With easy adaptability options, you can gather specific candidate info regardless of their stage in the process.

Furthermore, Jobspage ATS allows you to track, evaluate, and rate candidates – all from one digital place. This streamlined ecosystem eliminates potential hiccups, such as miscommunication from department to department.

Key features

• Careers page builder: Our easy-to-use tool allows you to create a professional and dedicated careers page, one that highlights available positions instantly.
• Customizable application forms: With the flexibility to tailor application forms according to specific hiring requirements, gathering winning candidate data is as easy as one, two, three.
• Streamlined tracking system: Its built-in applicant tracking reviews and manages candidates based on their resumes and additional info. Also, users can leave notes and ratings at every step of the journey, so you’re never left in the dark.

Pricing

Jobspage is a cost-effective solution for small businesses. Its free plan, which allows up to three active job posts, is an affordable choice for companies just starting out. There’s also the option to upgrade to more features as your business expands.

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Pros & cons

Pros:

• Free to start
• Ease of use
• Customizable careers page
• Affordable scaling options

‍Cons: 

• Limited features on the free plan

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2. Recruit CRM

Recruit CRM is a global recruitment solution that caters to clients in over 100 countries worldwide. Its comprehensive, cloud-based ATS is specifically designed to bolster your hiring cycle with candidates who are the perfect fit.

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Recruit CRM boasts a robust AI-powered resume parsing feature, intuitive Kanban boards, and extensive reporting dashboards. With the added advantage of over 5000 integrations via Zapier and an easily accessible Chrome extension.

Key features

• Smooth collaboration: Guarantees relevant online job postings, interview feedback, and collaborative tasks between employers and agencies.
• One-click job posting: Allows job openings to be quickly published across multiple platforms with a single action.
• Hassle-free interview scheduling: The system can automatically schedule interviews and send email notifications to shortlisted candidates.

Pricing

Recruit CRM offers a transparent pricing structure that adapts to your business as it grows. There's also a free trial available, allowing potential users to experience Recruit CRM’s features with no credit card required. It’s worth noting the platform doesn’t offer a free option.

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Pros & cons

Pros:

• Global presence
• Extensive integrations
• Flexible and scalable

Cons:

• Steep learning curve
• Expensive
• No free plan

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3. Recooty

Recooty equips a modern applicant tracking system with a visual talent pipeline for better candidate tracking, tools for reviewing applications, and features that provide users access to 250+ job boards. 

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Highlighting user-friendliness, Recooty is a popular choice among more than 5,000 organizations worldwide. Catering to a diverse user base, the platform supports six languages, including English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Hindi.

Key features

• Far-reaching job posts: Users can craft compelling job descriptions and disperse them across top job boards, social networks, and your branded careers page. 
• Uncluttered candidate management: Goes above and beyond traditional ATS software, providing a visual hiring pipeline for faster recruitment.
• Centralized talent pool: Enables users to consolidate candidate information from various sources, enriching their talent pool.

Pricing

Recooty offers four tiered pricing plans, each including a 14-day trial period. Its free plan includes only one active job slot, one user, and one location. 

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Pros & cons

Pros: 

• User-friendly interface
• One-click multi-platform job posting
• 15-day free trial plus a free demo

Cons:

• No mobile application
• Limited features
• Minimal integrations

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4. Manatal

Manatal includes built-in artificial intelligence, ideal for high-volume hiring, and AI-powered candidate recommendations (based on job description comparisons). Manatal automatically disperses job ads to numerous free and premium job boards as per campaign parameters.

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Manatal's cloud-based software extends its accessibility with a mobile app and integrations with platforms like LinkedIn, Gmail, and Outlook. Furthermore, for tailored system configurations, access to their API and Zapier integration is available.

Key features

• Ease of use: User-friendly drag-and-drop interface to move candidates across the pipeline.
• Comprehensive profiles: Detailed, centralized candidate profiles containing data from various sources.
• Candidate scorecards: Easy candidate evaluation using interview scorecards for candidate assessments and quick comparison of rankings.

Pricing

Manatal offers two affordable subscription tiers starting at just $15 per user per month. Users have access to a free demo or a 14-day free trial on their website. Additionally, customized on-demand plans are available upon request.

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Pros & cons

Pros: 

• Affordable pricing
• 14-day free trial
• Drag-and-drop interface

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Cons: 

• No free plans
• Complex integrations
• Limited language availability

5. 100Hires

100Hires boasts automatic resume parsing, mass email dispatch, and valuable candidate assessments. Its personalized hiring workflows with adaptable elements include tags, fields, and pipeline stages. 

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A browser extension is also part of the package, easily importing candidate data from websites like LinkedIn, GitHub, and Stack Overflow. 

Key features

• Interview scheduling: Facilitates interview scheduling by integrating with your Google Calendar, ensuring easy coordination between your other appointments.
• Resume parsing: Simplifies candidate data by automatically scanning uploaded resumes and populating candidate profiles, saving recruiters countless hours of manual data entry.
• Recruiting automation: Its Chrome extension suggests suitable options like sending a rejection email or scheduling an interview.

Pricing

100Hires offers four distinct pricing tiers starting from $99 per month. Except for the Enterprise tier, all other plans include a free trial. A live demonstration can also be arranged.

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Pros & cons

Pros:

• Excellent support
• Comprehensive features
• Live demos

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Cons: 

• Complex scheduling
• Limited CRM integration
• Expensive 

Boost your hiring strategy with Jobspage

As the digital revolution rages on, applicant tracking systems have morphed from a luxury to a necessity for small businesses. By streamlining your recruitment processes, you’ll never let the perfect candidate walk by without saying, “Hello.”

So, if you want to elevate your recruitment game, there's an ATS tailored just for you. Always bear in mind the perfect system doesn't just streamline your hiring journey – it unlocks your business potential.

‍Sign up to Jobspage for free and simplify your recruitment processes today!