Evolution of Hiring from Newspapers to Applicant Tracking System

Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a cutting-edge technology, yet its presence in the recruitment landscape is relatively recent.

“The competition to hire the best will increase in the years ahead. Companies that give extra flexibility to their employees will have the edge in this area” - The co-founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, anticipated the landscape of the recruitment and its hiring strategies.

The days when businesses relied on time-tested hiring strategies like newspaper ads, or word-of-mouth recommendations, are long gone. Before there were computers, mobile phones, and the internet, hiring managers and recruiters had a lot of work to do to advertise a position and eventually fill it. There were no online databases or job boards to store all the information about the candidates.

Finally, the use of computers, mobile phones, the Internet, online job boards, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and - most significantly - Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) revolutionized the recruitment process. All of these increased the reach of businesses, saving costs and time. The advancement of technology also enabled job seekers to access a wider variety of employment opportunities anywhere.

Work-life balance, adaptable hours, and remote employment options are now essential for drawing in and retaining talent. COVID - 19 Pandemic accelerated this trend, forcing organizations to operate on a remote-first style. Those who adjusted quickly had an advantage over rivals.

Companies nowadays need to be flexible and innovative, embrace technology, utilize data, provide flexibility and give constructive feedback to succeed in recruitment. The rules of the competition and hiring strategies have changed, and those who adapt will be in a position to hire the top candidates.