What Is an ATS? Applicant Tracking System Explained

Dilara Unal
October 2, 2025
5 minutes read

Recruitment today is more complex than ever. Companies receive hundreds - sometimes thousands - of job applications for a single role. Without the right tools, HR teams risk losing valuable candidates, wasting time, and slowing down the entire hiring process. That’s where an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) comes in.

In this article, we’ll explain what an ATS is, how it works, and why modern ATS software like Hiroo is essential for smarter hiring.

What Is an ATS?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is recruitment software designed to manage and streamline the hiring process. Instead of juggling job applications in spreadsheets or email inboxes, an ATS organizes everything in one central platform.

What does an ATS do?

  • Collects job applications automatically
  • Sorts and filters candidates by skills, experience, and keywords
  • Tracks candidates throughout the hiring pipeline (from application to offer)
  • Helps HR teams collaborate on hiring decisions

In short, an ATS ensures no candidate slips through the cracks and that recruiters can focus on people - not paperwork.

How Does an ATS Work?

Most ATS software follows a simple workflow:

  1. Job Posting – HR teams can post a job to multiple job boards and career sites at once.
  2. Application Collection – Candidate resumes are stored in the system automatically.
  3. Filtering & Screening – Recruiters can search and filter applications using keywords or pre-set criteria.
  4. Interview Scheduling – ATS platforms often integrate with calendars to simplify scheduling.
  5. Candidate Communication – Automated emails and updates improve the candidate experience.

Hiring Decision – Notes, evaluations, and feedback are stored for final decision-making.

With the rise of AI in recruitment, modern ATS platforms also include features like automated job description creation, candidate scoring, and analytics dashboards.

Benefits of Using an Applicant Tracking System

An ATS is no longer a “nice-to-have” - it’s a must for companies that want to stay competitive. Here are the main benefits:

  • Save time by automating repetitive tasks like resume screening.
  • Improve candidate quality by identifying the best matches quickly.
  • Enhance collaboration by keeping HR teams and hiring managers on the same page.
  • Better candidate experience with timely updates and smoother communication.
  • Data-driven hiring with reporting on metrics like time-to-hire and source of hire.

Why Modern ATS Software Matters

Older ATS solutions were often clunky, hard to use, and built for large enterprises only. In 2025, companies of all sizes need modern recruitment tools that are:

  • Easy to use → simple design for HR teams and managers at every level.
  • AI-powered → faster, more accurate candidate evaluation.
  • Flexible → designed for startups, scaleups, and global companies.
  • Integrated → connects with calendars, email, and collaboration tools.

This is where Hiroo ATS makes a difference.

How Hiroo ATS Stands Out

Hiroo is more than just an applicant tracking system - it’s a complete AI-powered recruitment platform.

With Hiroo ATS, HR teams can:

  • Post jobs across multiple platforms with a single click.
  • Track candidates in a clear, modern pipeline view.
  • Use AI Candidate Scoring to highlight the most suitable applicants instantly.
  • Integrate assessments (English tests, aptitude, personality) directly into the hiring process.
  • Gain insights with analytics dashboards to reduce time-to-hire.

Unlike traditional systems, Hiroo combines ATS with CRM, assessments, and AI features, making it the all-in-one hiring solution for modern teams.

So, what is an ATS? It’s the backbone of modern hiring - a tool that helps HR teams manage applications, improve collaboration, and make faster, smarter decisions.

But in 2025, the right ATS should do more than just track candidates. With Hiroo ATS, you get automation, AI scoring, and integrated assessments - all in one platform designed for growth.

The future of recruitment belongs to companies that combine powerful technology with great candidate experiences.