Recruitment ATS vs CRM? What’s the Difference and Why You Need Both

Looking to understand the difference between an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and a Customer Relationship Management system (CRM)?

The recruiting landscape is constantly changing, especially with the latest reports. Suppose you stay up-to-date with the ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) or Recruitment jobs report. In that case, you know there is a continuous flux of permanent recruitment vs contractor opportunities.

Many recruitment agencies have found that their current sourcing channels no longer provide the quality candidates they once did. Meanwhile, great talent is not always actively looking for new work opportunities, though they would be open to them if approached.

Due to these changes, recruiting is becoming more proactive, focusing on candidates. To attract passive candidates, your company brand needs to be stronger than the competition, your job offers must be very appealing, and your recruitment process must be quick and engaging. One of the most efficient ways to achieve this goal is by using feature-rich recruiting software.

The recruitment market will be worth 334.3 billion US dollars by 2025. Today, many different types of talent acquisition suites and recruitment technology solutions are available for enterprises, SMBs, and startups. With so many options, it can be tough to decide which one will work best for your organisation.

Although Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and Candidate Relationship Management (CRM) systems are great options for recruiters, many people think they only need one or the other. In actuality, the best recruiters use a system that offers both CRM and ATS capabilities in one platform. This is because of each focus on different aspects of the hiring process.

However, what differentiates a Recruitment ATS from a Recruitment CRM? And why should you use both to locate and hire the most qualified candidates?

What is a Recruitment ATS (Applicant Tracking System)

An applicant tracking system (or ATS) is a software application that helps businesses filter through job applications more efficiently. Larger employers use most ATSs to scan resumes and identify key keywords and phrases that match the open position's requirements.

ATS recruiting software revamps and supercharges the hiring process, making it simpler. In just one platform, recruiters and managers can post openings, collect applications, screen candidates, evaluate resumes and qualifications, and select finalists--every step of the way...

What is CRM? (Client Relationship management)

A CRM system strengthens the relationships between potential candidates and recruiters so that, in the future, these candidates can be placed into job openings with the recruiter's clients.

CRMs are an essential piece of a Recruitment Marketing strategy because they allow Talent Acquisition professionals to reach out and build relationships with passive talent. That way, when it comes time to fill a role, the recruiter already has eligible candidates lined up instead of starting from scratch.

What’s the Difference Between an ATS and CRM For Recruiters?

CRMs expand a recruiter's horizons by pulling in passive candidates before they're needed, while ATSs make hiring as easy as possible by automating menial tasks and bolstering essential metrics such as speed to hire, budget spent on hires, and net hiring score.

If your ATS is not fully integrated with a CRM system, here are some signs to watch out for:

-Your recruiting team spends more time on non-value added tasks rather than strategic initiatives.

-You have difficulty tracking or measuring the effectiveness of your recruitment campaigns.

-There is duplication of effort and data entry because information must be entered into both systems separately.

The Various Perks of Integrating a CRM With an ATS

With the job market favouring candidates, companies need to focus on candidate experiences now more than ever before. Technology that can help with this will be key for the success of people in charge of hiring new talent. Up to 80% of recruiting takes place during the pre-applicant stage, which means if you deliver the right message to appropriate individuals at an opportune moment, your company has a much higher chance of enticing excellent employees in today's highly competitive market.

Australian Recruitment teams who utilise a CRM that easily integrates with an ATS in one platform can make more sound hiring decisions. The goal is to engage talented individuals earlier, even if there isn’t an immediate job opening. When a position does open up, you have a talent pipeline full of high-quality candidates who are already familiar with your company culture and brand.

Maximising the Potential of an ATS/CRM Combo for Australian Recruitment Teams.

Companies can take full advantage of each system's capabilities by using a CRM that's fully integrated with an ATS. Here are some ways to make the most out of this recruitment software combo:

Segment Your Recruitment Database

The first step is to segment your database into categories based on factors such as job title, years of experience, and skills.

Maintaining talent pools via candidate relationship management systems allows recruiters access to data that helps them hire better. Furthermore, because solid relationships with candidates are essential for the efficiency of the process, speed and organization are more accessible when it comes time to make hires. Candidates also have a much better experience overall as they go through the ATS journey.

When you have the right tools, it's much easier to find great candidates to help your business succeed. As new industry trends develop, technology follows these changing demands, too, so recruiters who know what today’s exceptional candidate's value can hire them more easily.

In closing, Recruit wizard is by initial nature a recruitment CRM with ATS features that are customisable and integrated directly into the CRM. This provides users with a fully comprehensive recruitment solution that helps them not just attract and engage candidates but makes hiring easier than ever before.

If you’re interested in learning more about how Recruit Wizard can help your Recruitment business, please contact us today. We’d be happy to discuss our features in greater detail and answer any questions you may have.

Recruit Wizard is an Australian-based recruitment software company. We live and breathe recruitment success, understand the Australian and global recruitment market inside out, and offer the best support for established and growing recruitment agencies all over the world.