What Is ATS? Understanding the Applicant Tracking System in Recruiting

In today’s fast-paced hiring landscape, recruiters need more than spreadsheets and inboxes to manage candidates. That’s where the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) comes in. But what is ATS, exactly, and why has it become the cornerstone of modern recruitment?

If you're exploring what is an applicant tracking system or wondering what is ATS system functionality in practice, you're in the right place. Let’s unpack what it does, why it matters, and how forward-thinking recruiting teams are using platforms like GoPerfect to take it even further.

What Is ATS?

An ATS, or Applicant Tracking System, is a software platform designed to help companies manage and automate the entire hiring process. From posting jobs to tracking applicants and communicating with candidates, an ATS centralizes everything in one place.

So, when someone asks, "what is ATS?" think of it as your digital command center for recruiting. It allows recruiters and hiring managers to:

• Collect and organize resumes
• Screen candidates based on predefined criteria
• Manage interview workflows
• Collaborate across hiring teams
• Ensure compliance and documentation

Most importantly, an ATS saves time and reduces manual effort, especially when dealing with high-volume roles or remote, distributed teams.

What Is an Applicant Tracking System Designed to Do?

If you're specifically wondering what is an applicant tracking system built for, the answer lies in automation, scalability, and consistency. Here are a few core functions:

1. Resume Parsing

The ATS automatically extracts relevant information from resumes and structures it into standardized fields. This helps with faster candidate filtering and easy comparison.

2. Job Distribution

Modern systems allow one-click job posting to multiple job boards, careers pages, and social media platforms.

3. Candidate Screening

Whether through keyword filters or AI-based scoring, ATS platforms can identify the most relevant applicants based on skills, experience, or custom tags.

4. Interview Management

Scheduling tools and integrated calendars make it easier to manage interviews, send invites, and coordinate feedback across interviewers.

5. Collaboration and Compliance

An ATS enables better communication across hiring teams and stores documentation required for audits or legal purposes.

In short, if you've ever asked, "what is ATS system functionality useful for?", the answer is: every step of the hiring journey.

Why Are Companies Using ATS Now More Than Ever?

Recruiting has changed. The competition for top talent is fierce, and speed matters. Here’s why more companies are turning to ATS solutions:

• Volume Management: When hundreds of applications come in for a single role, it’s nearly impossible to manage manually.
• Consistency in Process: ATS systems help enforce structured workflows and eliminate chaos.
• Data-Driven Hiring: Trackable metrics around time-to-fill, source of hire, and conversion rates empower smarter decisions.
• Candidate Experience: A good ATS ensures candidates aren’t left in the dark, with timely updates and a smooth application journey.

For global or remote teams, especially, having a centralized platform improves visibility and alignment across stakeholders.

What Is ATS vs. What It Could Be With GoPerfect

Most traditional ATS platforms focus on workflow efficiency. But GoPerfect takes it a step further by integrating AI-powered sourcing, outreach, and real-time talent intelligence.

Here’s how GoPerfect enhances what an ATS system typically does:

1. Smarter Sourcing

Go beyond your applicant pool. GoPerfect actively sources passive candidates using semantic search and signals beyond the resume.

2. Built-In Outreach

While many ATS platforms stop at storing candidates, GoPerfect lets you engage them directly with automated and personalized email campaigns.

3. Deep Candidate Insights

Instead of just storing resumes, GoPerfect reveals what a candidate is capable of—matching them based on skills, growth potential, and past roles.

4. Seamless ATS Integrations

Already using a legacy ATS? GoPerfect plays nicely with your existing tech stack, augmenting—not replacing—your current process.

Should Every Company Use an ATS?

Not every team needs enterprise-level features, but any company hiring regularly will benefit from an ATS. From early-stage startups to global enterprises, the system scales with your team.

The key is choosing the right platform. Whether you're just learning what is ATS or exploring advanced tools like GoPerfect, the best choice is one that enhances recruiter productivity, candidate quality, and team collaboration.

See the Future of Applicant Tracking

Understanding what is an applicant tracking system is the first step. The next is choosing a solution that grows with your hiring needs.

GoPerfect combines the structured power of an ATS system with intelligent sourcing and outreach capabilities. It’s more than a database—it’s a dynamic recruiting engine.

Ready to move beyond outdated tools? Let GoPerfect help you build a better, faster, more personalized hiring experience.

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Book a demo today and see how you can evaluate more candidates, shorten your time-to-hire, and make every part of your recruiting workflow more effective.