Recruiting the best talent for your school or trust can be a time-consuming and costly process. With increasing challenges in education recruitment and retention, having the right Applicant Tracking System (ATS) can make all the difference. But with many options available, how do you choose the right one?
Before selecting an ATS, it’s important to define your specific requirements. Ask yourself:
- Do you need a tool that can digitise your applications and streamline the candidate experience?
- Would targeted outreach options – rather than generic channels – be better for your budget?
- Are you looking for a system designed specifically for the education sector?
A generic HR system or ATS won’t provide the tailored experience you need. Choosing software built with education recruitment challenges in mind ensures that your school’s priorities and the candidate journey remains at the forefront, making it easier to attract and hire top talent.
The key factors to consider when choosing the right ATS
- Volume of hiring
Schools and trusts with multiple vacancies need an ATS that can handle high-volume recruitment efficiently. If you are recruiting for multiple schools at once, look for software with group functionality – like Eteach’s multi-account management features - to manage roles across different schools seamlessly.
- Considering your budget
The cost of recruitment technology varies depending on its capabilities. While an ATS might seem like a steep initial investment, it’s worth comparing it to the financial impact of manual admin processes or costly agency fees which become an expensive, short-term solution. Over time, a smart ATS can save your school thousands in recruitment costs while improving hiring efficiency long-term.
- Integration with your existing systems
Already using specific HR or payroll systems? Ensure your chosen ATS integrates smoothly with your existing tech stack. Can it broadcast vacancies to multiple job boards, like Eteach’s ATS can? Choosing a tool with seamless integrations will save time and improve your recruitment reach.
- The candidate experience
Still wedded to clunky, downloadable paper forms? A great candidate journey is crucial in attracting and retaining top talent. A clunky or outdated system may deter applicants. Ensure your ATS provides a user-friendly experience, making it easy for candidates to apply and stay engaged throughout the hiring process. For example, Eteach's ATS provides mobile-optimised Online Application Form support for candidates to apply in a click, wherever they are, as well as features such as bulk email management and automatic referencing to relieve common candidate bottlenecks.
- Onboarding and ease of use
Some ATS providers offer onboarding support and training to ensure your team is up and running quickly - consider how easy it will be to implement the system across multiple schools or teams.
- Insights & data-driven hiring
An effective ATS should provide real-time analytics on your recruitment process, helping you understand trends, track hiring performance, and identify areas for improvement. Data-driven decision-making, provided by features like Eteach’s ATS Dashboard reporting overview, will enhance your ability to identify, attract and retain the best candidates efficiently.
So – why choose Eteach’s ATS?
Eteach’s education-specific ATS is designed with schools and trusts in mind, offering:
- Digitised applications using our Online Application Form and a smart pipeline view to reduce admin
- Integration with education-specific job boards to expand your recruitment reach
- Streamlined communication tools for a better candidate experience
- Cost-effective recruitment that saves money on costly agency fees
Ready to transform your hiring process? Discover Eteach’s ATS with smart hiring solutions for schools and MATs today.
About the author
Ruby Collings
Ruby studied English Literature at the University of Brighton, having been an avid reader and writer for all of her life. With her passion for everything creative, she now works for Eteach as a Digital Marketing Executive, using her skills to deliver informative and relevant content.
