Recruiting Software – What Type Suits Your Applicant Tracking Needs?

When you begin the search for a recruiting software application that will best suit your company’s needs, it can be a challenging task to wade through all the options in today’s marketplace – especially if you aren’t yet sure which type of recruiting software solution will best match the recruiting orientation of your organization.

Whether you call it applicant tracking software, recruiting software, or talent acquisition software, etc., there are two core sets of solutions for hiring:

A recruiting software solution that is candidate-oriented

Candidate-oriented recruiting softwareThis type of software is very resume-centric and the goal is to capture as many candidate resumes as possible, via a variety of means such as job fairs, resume searches within paid job board accounts and proactive recruiting (aka “headhunting”). Then, advanced keyword searches are done on the pool of candidates and specific resumes are matched up with positions available both now and in the future. Recruiters may then contact candidates to determine their potential interest in pursuing a position. With this approach, candidates will not necessarily have applied to a specific position before they find out about it from a recruiter.

Because these applications are basically capable of “inhaling” resumes, they are heavily used by staffing firms, executive search firms and other organizations who may recruit on behalf of multiple clients or businesses.

A recruiting software solution that is job-oriented

Job-oriented recruiting softwareThis software application engages applicants to express interest in specific job opportunities by submitting an application for employment. As with candidate-oriented software, these applications also offer applicant search capabilities – though the focus tends to be on screening applicants in consideration for a specific position or group of positions.

It is common to find more extensive and focused employment applications in this type of hiring software (including a two-step application option), and applicants may be asked screening questions based on their specific job interests. Their answers to these screening questions can then be used to automatically score and/or disqualify their applications depending on position requirements. Because these applications will typically be suited to assist businesses with any compliance reporting needs, they are mostly used by corporations that recruit individuals for their own in-house positions.

Still not sure into which bucket your company falls when it comes to selecting software for applicant tracking? Check out this chart below for more differences between candidate-oriented and job-oriented recruiting software:

 Candidate-Oriented
 Job-Oriented
Who Uses ItStaffing firms, executive search firms that recruit for other companiesCorporations & organizations that recruit for themselves
How Applicant Enters Information
Often, resumes are “inhaled” in large blocks from job boards &
networking sites; data is parsed into standard format for recruiters’
view
Usually, one applies to a specific job listing – applications are usually longer & questions are more specific to the requirements of an
open listing
Recruiter’s Style
Numbers game to produce options early & often – recruiter captures resumes & then conducts keyword searches to match existing candidates with new
opportunities
Long-term pool development – recruiter builds
qualified applicant pool over time & reviews applicants who have
“raised their hand” to indicate interest in specific jobs
Who Does Heavy LiftingRecruiters must be savvy searchers to match candidates to ideal jobs; candidates do little to no work to get resumes into databaseApplicants must express interest in certain jobs & apply to
be considered; recruiters then screen applicant qualifications for
potential fit to desired jobs
Job Board PostsOpportunities pushed may be general & “blind.” Blind
ads do not disclose name of recruiting organization; candidates who express interest take notice based on skills required – not due to recruitment brand of company
Jobs pushed allow individuals to connect to careers portal for more info & to apply for
position; HR staff may easily track ad
sources used to promote listing for compliance reporting
requirements

Would you like to discuss your recruiting orientation with an ExactHire representative to determine if any of our recruiting software solutions fit your applicant tracking needs? Contact ExactHire.

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