What Is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a software solution used by companies to streamline, automate, and manage the recruitment process. From collecting job applications to filtering, tracking, and organizing candidates, an ATS helps employers efficiently hire top talent while saving time and minimizing manual work.

In today's digital hiring landscape, ATS platforms are no longer optional—they're a necessity.

How Does an ATS Work?

An ATS acts as a centralized system that:

• Collects job applications submitted through online forms or job boards

• Sorts and filters candidates based on keyword relevance, experience, or custom rules

• Tracks candidates through various stages of the hiring pipeline (application, interview, offer)

Some systems also integrate with calendars, email, video interviews, and HR tools to simplify hiring workflows.

Common Misconceptions About ATS

Myth 1: “An ATS automatically rejects resumes.”

Fact: An ATS stores all applications. It only filters based on preset criteria like keywords or job title—but hiring managers can still view every submission.

Myth 2: “Only plain-text resumes work in ATS.”

Fact: Clear formatting is important, but you don’t have to sacrifice style completely. Use standard fonts, clean section headings, and avoid overly designed templates.

Why ATS Optimization Matters

If your job ads aren’t ATS-friendly, or your hiring process lacks automation, you’ll:

• Miss out on qualified candidates

• Spend hours manually screening resumes

• Struggle to manage high-volume applications

For job seekers: resumes should include relevant keywords from the job description, use standard job titles, and avoid images, tables, or charts.

For employers: using a smart ATS solution means hiring faster, smarter, and more fairly.

Who Uses ATS?

• 98% of Fortune 500 companies rely on ATS software

• Small businesses and startups increasingly use ATS tools to compete for top talent

• Recruiters and HR teams leverage ATS platforms to manage roles, feedback, and communication at scale

How Zepply.ai Elevates the ATS Experience

While traditional ATS platforms help manage applicants, Zepply.ai goes one step further by automating your entire recruiting funnel—from job ad creation to candidate outreach.

With Zepply.ai, you can:

• Write job ads in seconds using AI-driven templates

• Automatically publish to multiple free job boards (Google Jobs, Indeed, etc.)

• Pre-screen candidates based on experience, skills, and matching score

• Track applicants and communicate with them inside one dashboard

Zepply isn’t just an ATS—it’s a fully integrated recruiting co-pilot.

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right ATS

An Applicant Tracking System is essential to scale your hiring process. But not all ATS tools are created equal.

If you're looking for a solution that saves time, reduces friction, and helps you find the right candidates without complexity—Zepply.ai is built for you.

Try Zepply.ai for Free

Whether you're hiring your first employee or managing hundreds of candidates, Zepply.ai gives you:

• Automation

• Speed

• Smart filters

• Candidate insights

Start your recruiting transformation today: app.zepply.ai/start