How to use filters on the Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

In today’s competitive job market, employers like you rely on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to streamline their recruitment processes. One powerful feature that significantly enhances efficiency is the effective utilisation of filters. By harnessing the filtering capabilities of an ATS, employers can easily navigate through a pool of applicants, download CVs, and even reach out to multiple candidates simultaneously via email. 

Understanding and utilising ATS filters is a quick learnable skill for modern recruitment professionals. Search filters are lovely little helpers that aid in introducing direction and assisting with searches that are focused on a base. Using filters, you can prioritise candidates that fit a particular parameter you’re searching for.

In this article, we will explore how you can leverage filters on the ATS to your advantage, mainly when listing a job and once candidates have started applying.  This way, you can optimise your hiring workflow and uncover the perfect match for your organisation.

– First, Log into your employer account 

– Click on ”All Jobs” to view all the jobs posted on your account

– Click on ‘Candidates’ right under the preferred job title. The figure beside ‘Candidates’ represents the total number of applications received so far

The next page redirects you to the applications. Right above it is the filters section.

The filters allow you to sort the applications received based on the job requirements.

A minimum of one field is required to utilise the filter. This means you can choose to sort using only ‘Highest Qualification’, ‘Assessment score’, ‘Years of Experience’ and so on.

After selecting the filter(s) of interest, click the ‘Apply’ button to filter the applications.

HOW TO DOWNLOAD CVs AND EMAIL CANDIDATES EN MASSE

Now that you have the hang of using filters, let’s take a look at how to download multiple CVs, saving you time and the stress of downloading individually.

After utilising the filters, the page brings only applications that fit the filters you applied.

NOTE: When you click on a profile, it automatically moves to ‘Viewed’. Scroll back up to ‘Viewed’ to access that particular profile. 

  • To either email the candidates, download their profiles and CVs en masse, or perform all simultaneously, simply check the box beside each profile.
  • Alternatively, since all the profiles displayed are filtered results, simply check the ‘Select All’ box to select all the profiles shown on that page.

NOTE: After filtering, there can be as many pages as possible depending on the number of applications and the relevance of the profiles. You are advised to set the number of views per page to 50. See image below:

Note: Images have been blurred in keeping with privacy policies

  • After checking the ‘Select All’ box, click ‘Actions’ just above the ‘Select All’ to view the numerous actions. See image below:

Note: Images have been blurred in keeping with privacy policies

  • To download CVs and Profiles, click on the relevant dropdown. Please note that you can only perform each function one at a time.

EMAILING CANDIDATES

  • To Email candidates, check the ‘Select All’ box, click on ‘Actions’ and select ‘Email Candidates.’
  • For suitable profiles, you can move them to ‘Shortlisted.’
  • For unsuitable profiles, you can move them to ‘Not suitable.’
  • When you have eventually hired the right fit(s), kindly move the profile(s) to ‘Hired’
  • In a situation where you have about 5 qualified candidates who aced the interview and need just one candidate for the role, you can add the remaining 4 profiles to the candidate pool.

NOTE: It is essential to name the candidate pool after the job title to avoid confusion

HOW TO ACCESS CANDIDATE POOLS

A candidate pool is a mini database for a particular job role. 

The essence of creating a candidate pool is for the eventuality of the role becoming vacant in the future. You would only need to check the candidate pool for that particular role and engage the candidates.

To create a candidate pool

  • Click on the downward arrow beside ‘All Jobs’
  • Click on Candidate Pools, then select the candidate pool you want to access.

There you go. You are all set up for an easier and more efficient hiring process. By mastering the effective use of filters on the ATS, downloading CVs efficiently, and utilising email capabilities, you can optimise your hiring process, save time, and identify the ideal candidates for your organisation’s needs. Embrace the power of ATS filters and take full control of your recruitment efforts.

WRITTEN BY
Bola Johnson
A proven Digital Brand Content Writer and Brand Storyteller, navigating Marketing, Advertising, & Public Relations, to help brands connect to people.
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