What is the purpose of an applicant tracking system (ATS)?

An applicant tracking system (ATS) is primarily designed to streamline and automate the recruitment process. The system efficiently manages job applications and resumes, helping HR professionals and recruiters organize candidates for various job openings. By centralizing applicant information, an ATS enables easy tracking of applicants' progress through the hiring pipeline, enhances collaboration among team members, and ensures that no potential candidate is overlooked during the selection process.

ATS often includes features such as resume parsing, job posting to multiple platforms, and communication tools for engaging with applicants. This automation of administrative tasks allows HR teams to focus on more strategic aspects of recruitment, such as interviewing and selection, rather than getting bogged down by paperwork and manual tracking.

In contrast, options that involve analyzing employee performance, calculating payroll, or reviewing employee benefits do not align with the core functionalities of an ATS, as they pertain to separate areas of HR management.