Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that manages the entire recruitment workflow, from posting job listings and collecting applications to screening candidates, scheduling interviews, and generating offer letters. Popular ATS platforms include Greenhouse, Lever, Ashby, and Workday.

Most ATS platforms use keyword matching to filter resumes, which can miss qualified candidates who describe their experience differently. This is one reason why AI-native recruiting platforms have emerged as complementary or alternative solutions. Modern ATS platforms are evolving to incorporate AI features, but many still rely on rules-based screening as their core functionality.

For hiring teams, the ATS remains the system of record for compliance, reporting, and process management. The most effective recruiting stacks pair an ATS with intelligent sourcing and matching tools that feed high-quality candidates directly into the pipeline.