Applicant Tracking Key Terms

Learn the basics when it comes to hiring and applicant tracking

By Jennifer Ehlenfeldt, Freelance Writer

Whether you are looking for a good applicant tracking software to meet your hiring needs or want to outsource you're applicant tracking, it's important to understand just what the process involves. A good applicant tracking system can streamline any hiring process.

From the requisition management to your talent platform, there are many terms that you'll need to understand when working out your applicant tracking profile. Learn the basic terms associated with applicant tracking in order to better your business operations.

Applicant tracking system

An applicant tracking system, or ATS, is software designed to organize potential employee information and job openings. The system can include things like job postings, resume screenings, interview notes and much more all in the one computer program.
Try: Read the definition of applicant tracking system at Cloud Recruiting glossary of terms.

Assessment testing

Assessment testing is defined as the examination of an employee's qualifications. Testing can be done through face-to-face contact, via telephone or Internet where both skills and position competence are addressed.
Try: Times Ascent defines assessment testing in their human resource glossary. The website is a human resource information center with tips and links to all types of information including applicant tracking.

Behavioral based interview

A behavioral based interview is one that focuses on a potential employee's behavior, experience, skills and knowledge. The interviewer uses a candidate's answers to questions regarding past situations to determine how he or she will behave in similar situations as they regard to the open position.
Try: The behavioral based interview and other behavior-related HR terms are defined at HR Directory.

Requisition management

Requisition management is a process of creating a job opening information outline. The process, usually done by a human resource manager, creates a list of requirements, skills and necessary abilities that will eventually be turned into a job posting.
Try: Read the explanation of requisition management and how it plays a role in applicant tracking at bNet.

Web-based applicant tracking

A web-based applicant tracking system is completely operated through the Internet. A company posts job openings that candidates respond to. The entire process of keeping track of the candidates is done online usually through an outsourcing company website.
Try: The Applicant Tracking website explains how web-based applicant tracking works. The website also compares how other systems work.

Talent platform

Your talent platform is the basis for easy applicant tracking via the Internet. The outline is set up on a web-based system that handles the entire applicant tracking cycle.
Try: Read the explanation of a talent platform at iCIMS, and find out more about web-based applicant tracking.