Many companies recruiting drivers in transportation are happy in the paper world because their perception is the process is not broken. Margins are tight, so why add the extra cost of an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)? Plus, change can be difficult, stressful, and sometimes scary. While we understand, that doesn’t mean change isn’t needed. In fact, if you don’t have an ATS, you’re facing a big opportunity cost while your competition reaps the rewards of hiring more people in less time. Here are three valuable features you miss out on without a transportation specific ATS.
An ATS takes your applications and forms and puts them online, allowing your candidates easy access from desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. This might seem like a mere convenience to your applicants, but in reality, your paper applications are costing you quality leads. When your candidates have to fill-out forms in person, you’re only getting candidates who cannot otherwise find work in the transportation industry. The drivers you want are driving during the hours of 9-5 - they can’t walk into your office. Do not limit your hiring pool to drivers who can’t find work anywhere else. You’re looking for the professional driver who sees you provide a job that improves his quality of work life. You’ll never find these candidates if you’re not online.
An ATS makes your candidates’ application process a breeze. One way it does so is through job board integrations. The best applicant tracking systems integrate with job boards such as Randall-Reilly, Indeed, or the myriad of others in the industry. This means that when a candidate fills out their information on a job board, that data will automatically pre-populate their application in your ATS. Not only does this save them time, but it gives them a great first impression of your company. It’s essential if you want to create a positive candidate experience.
There’s also the added bonus that you’ll always know how your candidate found you with automated source tracking. You’ll know where to spend your money based on the most effective driver recruiting sources without having to guess and check by asking “how did you hear about us?”.
Recruiting drivers requires tons of back and forth between your candidates and your recruiters. That’s why one of the most important features of an ATS is that it makes texting the primary mode of communication. Texting is an easy, sure-fire way to reach your candidates. That’s not to say there isn’t the need to pick up the phone as well, but texting ensures constant communication between you and your next all-star driver. Plus, an ATS’ texting feature lets your recruits touch more candidates every day. Your hire-rates will improve, your time-to-hire will go down, and your pipeline will grow.
Applicant Tracking Systems are not the future of the trucking industry - they’re the present day reality. Change is difficult, but it is also necessary if you want to stay in business. If you haven’t already, it’s time you looked into an ATS. Don’t lag behind your competition; scheduling a free trial today.