Every hiring manager has been there: Your inbox is overflowing, and you’re working overtime to excavate the few qualified applicants from the rush of unqualified applications. Or, maybe you’ve been in the converse situation: You post a job, but the response is radio silence. Nobody applies. Whichever side of the coin your business falls on, integrating an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) into your hiring process is likely to save you both time and money.

A good ATS will integrate with job boards and save position descriptions in an organized, reusable template, meaning once you get your job description nailed, you can save it to reuse later. Further, if you post a job description and get more than one great candidate, most ATS systems include the utility of being able to keep that application on file for later use.

Once you’ve selected the right candidate, a good ATS can also smooth the onboarding process. Many systems include background, credit, and reference check capacity. Some even include the capacity to manage drug testing data.

As we move forward into the next decade, leveraging technology is a must if your business is going to thrive and grow. Incorporating the right ATS can be a key way to build your efficiency and gain a competitive edge.