
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 02 | Feb 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 02 | Feb 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
Samarth Gore1 , Sarthak Kakad2 , Prashant Petkar3, Shwetank Gopnarayan4, Sumedha Patil5
1-4
Student,Dept of Computer Engineering, Terna Engineering College, Maharashtra, India
5 Professor, Dept. of Computer Engineering, Terna Engineering College, Maharashtra, India
Abstract - The recruitment landscape has transformed with the integration of advanced technologies, positioning Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) as essential tools for modern hiring. Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), ATS platforms streamline candidate screening,resumeparsing,andjobmatching,therebyreducing biasesandenhancingefficiency.Thisreviewsynthesizesawide rangeofliteratureonATS,discussesdesignprinciplesanduser experience innovations, and contrasts successful and unsuccessfulimplementations.Inaddition,itpresentsdetailed analyses of emerging trends such as gamification, voice interfaces,andvideo-basedassessments,whilealsoaddressing ethical and data security challenges. Through a comprehensivemethodologicalapproach detailingselection criteria, literature search strategies, and comparative analyses this paper proposes future research directions aimedatrefiningATSperformanceandensuringfairness.The insightsprovidedhereserveasaresourceforresearchersand practitionersstrivingtodevelopmorerobust,transparent,and user-friendly ATS platforms.
Key Words: Applicant Tracking System (ATS), Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Recruitment, Resume Parsing, RecruitmentAutomation,UserExperienceDesign,Machine Learning,BiasMitigation,SystemIntegration
The traditional methods of recruitment, characterized by manualresumescreeningandsubjectiveevaluations,have longbeenplaguedbyinefficienciesandinherentbiases.With therapidevolutionofdigitaltechnologies,organizationsare turning to Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to automate andstreamlinethehiringprocess.ATSplatformsintegrate AIandMLtoefficientlyparseresumes,rankcandidates,and match them to appropriate job roles. As recruitment becomesincreasinglydata-driven,theimportanceofthese systemsinreducingtime-to-hireandimprovingcandidate qualityisundeniable.
Recentstudies[1],[8]haveunderscoredthetransformative impactofAI-drivenATSonboththespeedandaccuracyof recruitment processes. Despite these advancements, challenges persist. Issues such as algorithmic bias, data security,andintegrationwithexistingHRsystemscontinue todemandattention.Thisreview paperaimsto providea comprehensiveanalysisofATStechnology examiningits evolution,currentpractices,andfuturepossibilities while
offering insights into design improvements and best practices.
Inaddition,thispapercontextualizesATSwithinthebroader landscape of digital recruitment, comparing it with traditionalmethodsandhighlightingitsroleintheongoing digitaltransformationofHRpractices.Thediscussionalso encompasses ethical concerns related to automated decision-makingandtheneedfortransparencyinAI-driven systems
Thisreviewadoptsasystematicmethodologytocapturethe multifaceted dimensions of ATS research. By integrating insightsfrompeer-reviewedarticles,conferencepapers,and industry reports, the paper aims to offer a balanced perspectiveonbothtechnologicalanduser-centeredaspects.
Relevance: Studies focused on the integration of AI/ML in ATS, recruitment automation, and user experience design were prioritized. Articles discussing ethical concerns, bias, and system integrationwerealsoincluded.
Credibility: Emphasisisplacedonpeer-reviewed journals, reputable conference proceedings (e.g., IEEE),andauthoritativeindustryanalyses.
Diversity of Perspectives: The review encompassestechnicalstudies,caseanalyses,and theoretical discussions, ensuring that both the technicalmeritsandpracticalchallengesofATSare examined.
An extensive literature search was performed using databases including IEEE Xplore, Google Scholar, Springer Link,andResearchGate.Keywordssuchas“ATSdesign,”“AI in recruitment,” “resume parsing,” “recruitment bias,” and “digitalhiring”wereused.Theselectionspannedpublications from2009to2024,capturingtheevolutionofATSfromearly automatedsystemstocurrentstate-of-the-artplatforms.
Eachselectedpaperwasexaminedforitscontributionto ATStechnology,focusingonkeyparameterssuchassystem
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 02 | Feb 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
design,userinterface,algorithmperformance,andreported outcomes.Comparativeanalyseswereconductedtoidentify common trends, recurring challenges, and innovative solutions.
ArobustATSmustbalancefunctionality,userexperience,and security.Thissectionelaboratesonthecoredesignprinciples and system architecture that underpin effective ATS solutions.
3.1.1
Intuitive Navigation: The user interface must facilitate effortless movement between various modules suchasjobpostings,applicationstatus, andprofilemanagement.Studies[1],[11]indicate that clear navigation reduces cognitive load and improvesusersatisfaction.
Task Efficiency: Features such as automated resume parsing and one-click application submissions reduce redundant manual tasks, significantlyshorteningtherecruitmentcycle.
Feedback and Status Visibility: Integrating progress indicators and confirmation messages ensures users remain informed about system processes,whichbuildstrustandtransparency
3.1.2
Screen Reader Compatibility: Incorporating alternative text for images, descriptive labels, and properheadingstructuresensuresthatthesystemis usablebyindividualswithvisualimpairments[1].
KeyboardNavigation: Ensuringthatallinteractive elements are accessible via keyboard shortcuts is essentialforuserswithmotordisabilities[3].
Contrast and Colour Choices: Adequate contrast betweentextandbackground,alongwithcolor-blind friendlydesignelements,improvesreadabilityand usability.
CustomizableInterfaceElements: Allowingusers toadjustfontsizes,enabledarkmodes,andmodify layoutscaterstodiverseuserneedsandpreferences [7].
Consistency: A unified color scheme, consistent typography, and standardized UI elements reduce
cognitiveloadandcreateaprofessionalappearance [11].
White Space: ProperspacingbetweenUIelements improves focus and readability, which is crucial whendealingwithcomplexdatasets.
Visual Hierarchy: Key elements such as “Apply Now”buttonsandjobrecommendationsshouldbe visuallyprioritizedtoguideuseractionsefficiently.
ResponsiveDesign: Withincreasingmobileusage, ensuring that the ATS adapts seamlessly across devices is critical to maintaining a consistent user experience.
Robust Data Protection: AsATSplatformshandle sensitivepersonalinformation,theymustadhereto dataprotectionregulationssuchasGDPR.Advanced encryption and secure data storage are nonnegotiable.
Mitigating Algorithmic Bias: Continuous monitoringandupdatingofAImodelsareessential topreventinherentbiasesthatmayskewcandidate evaluation.Ethicalframeworksshouldbeintegrated intothesystemdevelopmentcycle.
AtypicalATSarchitecturecomprisesseveralinterconnected modules:
Data Ingestion Layer: Collectscandidateresumes andjobpostingsfromvarioussources.
Processing Engine: Utilizes AI/ML algorithms to parseandanalyzedata.
User Interface Layer: Provides a responsive and intuitive interface for both candidates and recruiters.
IntegrationModule:Ensuresseamlessconnectivity withotherHRsystemsanddatabases.
Feedback and Reporting: Generates analytical reportsthathelprefinerecruitmentstrategiesover time.
This section provides a detailed review of existing ATS implementations,comparingvarioussystemstounderstand theirstrengthsandlimitations.
4.1 Overview of Existing ATS Technologies
ATSplatformshaveevolvedfrombasicdatabasesystemsto sophisticated,AI-poweredsolutions.Earlysystemsprimarily
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 02 | Feb 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
focusedonstoringandretrievingresumes,whereasmodern ATSincorporateadvancedalgorithmsforcandidateranking andpredictiveanalytics[2],[7].
4.2 Comparative Analysis of Key ATS Implementations
Greenhouse: Notedforitsstructuredhiringprocess and effective candidate feedback system, Greenhouse has significantlyreducedhiring times for companiessuchasHubSpotand DoorDash.Its modulardesignfacilitatesseamlessintegrationwith otherHRtools.
Lever: BymergingATSwithCustomerRelationship Management(CRM)functionalities,Leverenhances collaborative hiring and personalized candidate engagement.However,customizationlimitationsin certaincaseshavebeennoted.
Workday Recruiting: Integrated within a comprehensiveHRsuite,WorkdayRecruitingstands out for its robust analytics and unified data management. Despite its advantages, some users reportchallengeswithinterfacecomplexity.
Amazon’s Internal ATS: While efficient in processinglargevolumesofapplications,Amazon’s system highlighted serious concerns regarding algorithmic bias, emphasizing the importance of continuousoversightandmodelrefinement.
Virgin Media and Levi Strauss & Co.: Thesecase studies illustrate the consequences of inflexible systemdesigns,includingpooruserexperienceand misalignmentwithregionalhiringpractices.
TheliteraturerevealsthatwhileATSsystemsdramatically improve recruitment efficiency, they are not without shortcomings.Keyissuesinclude:
Integration Challenges: Difficulty in harmonizingATSwithlegacyHRsystemsoften leadstodatasilos.
BiasandFairness: DespiteadvancementsinAI, ensuringequitablecandidateevaluationremains anongoingchallenge.
UserAdaptability:Bothcandidateandrecruiter adaptabilitytonewsystemscaninfluenceoverall effectiveness.
ScalabilityandFlexibility:Futuresystemsmust be scalable to handle increasing data volumes and flexible enough to adapt to changing recruitmentneeds.
A detailed examination of several case studies provides practical insights into ATS performance across different industries.
Greenhouse and Workday: Theseplatformshave successfully balanced advanced technical features withauser-centricdesign.Theirabilitytointegrate withotherenterprisesystemsandprovidereal-time analyticshasledtoimprovedrecruitmentoutcomes.
Lever’sHybridModel: Lever’scombinationofATS and CRM functionalities has been well-received, promoting teamwork and enabling a more personalizedcandidateexperience.
Amazon’s Bias Issue: The case of Amazon’s ATS underscorestherisksofover-relianceonhistorical data,whichcanperpetuateexistingbiases.Thiscase highlights the need for robust bias mitigation strategies.
Virgin Media and Levi Strauss & Co.: Both organizations experienced challenges due to rigid systemdesignsthatcouldnotadapttodiversehiring processes.Theseexamplespointtothecriticalneed forflexibilityandcontinuoussystemupdates.
This section synthesizes the findings from the literature review and case studies, offering a critical analysis of the currentstateofATStechnology.
Modern ATS systems excel in automating repetitive tasks, reducingmanualerrors,andprovidingdata-driveninsights thathelprecruitersmakeinformeddecisions.Theirabilityto handle large datasets and generate real-time analytics significantlyenhancesoperationalefficiency.
Algorithmic Bias: Despite improved algorithms, many ATS still struggle with unintentional bias, potentially disadvantaging certain demographic groups.
Data Security: With increasing cyber threats, the security of candidate data is paramount, necessitating constant updates and adherence to internationaldataprotectionregulations.
User Experience vs. Complexity: Whileadvanced featuresoffersignificantbenefits,theycanalsolead
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 02 | Feb 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
tocomplexityinuserinterfaces,potentiallyaffecting usabilityandadoptionrates.
Emergingtrendspresentseveralopportunitiesforthenext generationofATSplatforms:
Voice and Video Integration: Incorporatingvoice search and video interview analytics can further streamlinecandidateevaluation.
Enhanced Personalization: Using advanced ML algorithms to provide tailored candidate recommendationswillimprovetheaccuracyofjob matching.
Gamification and Engagement: Introducing gamified elements could make the application processmoreengaging,therebyattractingawider poolofcandidates.
Interoperability: Developing ATS solutions that easily integrate with various HR and enterprise systems will enable a more holistic approach to talentmanagement.
Future research in ATS should focus on addressing the current limitations while capitalizing on emerging technologicaltrends.
Research should focus on refining AI models to ensure greater fairness and accuracy in candidate evaluation. Incorporating techniques such as transfer learning and explainableAIcanhelpdemystifydecision-makingprocesses andreducebias.
The next phase of ATS development may include the integrationofvideoandvoiceanalysis,aswellasbiometric data,tocreateamorecomprehensivecandidateprofile.Such multimodal approaches promise to enhance candidate assessmentandimprovepredictiveanalytics
AsATSsystemsbecomemorepervasive,establishingrobust ethical frameworks and ensuring strict regulatory compliance will be critical. Future studies should explore mechanisms to audit and validate AI decision-making processesinrecruitment.
With global recruitment demands on the rise, future ATS solutionsmustbebothscalableandcustomizable.Research into modular system designs that can adapt to various organizationalneedswillbecrucial.
ApplicantTrackingSystemshaveemergedastransformative tools in modern recruitment, offering significant improvements in efficiency, accuracy, and candidate engagement.Thisextendedreviewhasprovidedadetailed analysisoftheevolution,designprinciples,casestudies,and emerging trends in ATS technology. Despite their many advantages, challenges such as algorithmic bias, data security,andsystemintegrationremain.Addressingthese issues through advanced AI techniques, enhanced multimediaintegration,androbustethicalframeworkswill pave the way for the next generation of ATS solutions. Continuedresearchintheseareasisessentialtoensurethat ATSplatformsnotonlyoptimizerecruitmentprocessesbut alsopromotefairnessandtransparencyinhiring.
[1]A.AljuaidandM.Abbod,“ArtificialIntelligence-BasedERecruitmentsSystem,”in IEEE10thInternationalConference on Intelligent Systems, 2020, pp. 144–147, doi:10.1109/IS48319.2020.9199979.
[2] I. Obaid, S. Farooq, and A. Abid, “Gamification for Recruitment and Job Training: Model, Taxonomy, and Challenges,” IEEE Access, pp. 1–1, 2020, doi:10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2984178.
[3]N.AhmadandA.N.AbdAlla,“SmartEvaluationforJob VacancyApplicationSystem,”in2009SecondInternational ConferenceontheApplicationsof Digital Informationand Web Technologies, London, UK, 2009, pp. 452–455, doi:10.1109/ICADIWT.2009.5273974.
[4]S.Srinivasan,H.Ranganathan,andR.Srivel,“Employee Monitoring & HR Management Using RFID,” in 2011 InternationalConferenceonElectronics,Communicationand ComputingTechnologies,Villupuram,India,2011,pp.53–58, doi:10.1109/ICECCT.2011.6077069.
[5]N.SharmaandP.Hosein,“AComparisonofData-Driven and Traditional Approaches to Employee Performance Assessment,”in2020InternationalConferenceonIntelligent Data Science Technologies and Applications (IDSTA), Valencia, Spain, 2020, pp. 34–41, doi:10.1109/IDSTA50958.2020.9264033.
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
[6] N. Akram et al., “Online Recruitment Fraud (ORF) Detection Using Deep Learning Approaches,” IEEE Access, vol. 12, pp. 109388–109408, 2024, doi:10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3435670.
[7] P. R. Chavan, Y. Chandurkar, A. Tidake, G. Lavankar, S. Gaikwad,andR.Chavan,“EnhancingRecruitmentEfficiency: AnAdvancedApplicantTrackingSystem(ATS),”Industrial Management Advances, vol. 2, no. 1, 2024, doi:10.59429/ima.v2i1.6373.
[8] J. Fraij and L. Várallyai, “Literature Review: Artificial Intelligence Impact on the Recruitment Process,” International Journal of Engineering and Management Sciences, vol. 6, pp. 108–119, 2021, doi:10.21791/IJEMS.2021.1.10.
[9]“AutomatedResumeScreeningUsingNaturalLanguage Processing,”InternationalJournalofEmergingTechnologies andInnovativeResearch,vol.10,no.3,pp.f100–f104,Mar. 2023. [Online]. Available: http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2303510.pdf
[10]M.Peicheva,“DataAnalysisfromtheApplicantTracking System,”ResearchGate,2023.
[11]K.Tejaswini,V.Umadeadi,S.Kadiwal,andS.Revanna, “Design and Development of Machine Learning Based ResumeRankingSystem,”Global TransitionsProceedings, vol.3,2021,doi:10.1016/j.gltp.2021.10.002.
[12] K. K. R. Yanamala, “Dynamic Bias Mitigation for MultimodalAIinRecruitmentEnsuringFairnessandEquity inHiringPractices,”JournalofAdvancedMultidisciplinary Methods(JAMM),vol.6,no.2,pp.51–61,Dec.2022.
[13]“EmployeeTrackingSystem,”InternationalJournalfor Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET), vol. 10, no. 5, pp. 1658, May 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.ijraset.com
[14]Y.Sun,R.Ni,andY.Zhao,“MFAN:MultiLevelFeatures Attention Network for Fake Certificate Image Detection,” Entropy, vol. 24, no. 1, p. 118, 2022, doi:10.3390/e24010118.
[15]A.AljuaidandM.Abbod,“ArtificialIntelligenceBasedERecruitments System,” IEEE Intelligent Systems, Bulgaria, 2020
[16] K. Yanamala, “Integration of AI with Traditional Recruitment Methods,” Journal of Advanced Computing Systems, vol. 1, pp. 1–7, 2024, doi:10.69987/JACS.2021.10101.
[17]O.Allal-Chérif,A.Aránega,andR.Sánchez,“Intelligent Recruitment: How to Identify, Select, and Retain Talents
from Around the World Using Artificial Intelligence,” Technological Forecasting and Social Change, vol. 169, p. 120822,2021,doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2021.120822.
[18]A.Tiwari,S.Vaghela,R.Nagar,andM.Desai,“Applicant Tracking and Scoring System,” International Research JournalofEngineeringandTechnology,vol.6,no.4,pp.320–324,2019.
[19] S. Pudasaini, S. Shakya, S. Lamichhane, S. Adhikari, A. Tamang, and S. Adhikari, “Scoring of Resume and Job DescriptionUsingWord2vecandMatchingThemUsingGaleShapleyAlgorithm,”2022,doi:10.1007/978-981-16-21260_55.
[20] P. Horodyski, “Recruiter's Perception of Artificial Intelligence(AI)-BasedToolsinRecruitment,”Computersin Human Behavior Reports, vol. 10, p. 100298, 2023, doi:10.1016/j.chbr.2023.100298.
[21]A.Hunkenschroerand C.Lütge,“EthicsofAI-Enabled RecruitingandSelection:AReviewandResearchAgenda,” Journal of Business Ethics, vol. 178, 2022, doi:10.1007/s10551-022-05049-6.
[22] S. Laumer, C. Maier, and A. Eckhardt, “The Impact of Business Process Management and Applicant Tracking SystemsonRecruitingProcessPerformance:AnEmpirical Study,” Journal of Business Economics, vol. 85, 2014, doi:10.1007/s11573-014-0758-9.
[23]A.Köchling,M.Wehner,andJ.Warkocz,“CanIShowMy Skills? Affective Responses to Artificial Intelligence in the RecruitmentProcess,”ReviewofManagerialScience,vol.17, 2022,doi:10.1007/s11846-021-00514-4.
[24] N. Nawaz, “Artificial Intelligence Interchange Human InterventionintheRecruitmentProcessinIndianSoftware Industry,” International Journal of Advanced Trends in Computer Science and Engineering, vol. 8, no. 4, 2019. [Online]. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3521912
[25]C.D’Silva,“AStudyonIncreaseinE-Recruitmentand SelectionProcess,”IJRESM,vol.3,no.8,pp.205–213,Aug. 2020. [Online]. Available: https://journal.ijresm.com/index.php/ijresm/article/view /162
[26] I. Nikolaou, “What is the Role of Technology in Recruitment and Selection?” The Spanish Journal of Psychology,vol.24,p.e2,2021,doi:10.1017/SJP.2021.6.
[27]Z.Chen,“CollaborationAmongRecruitersandArtificial Intelligence:RemovingHumanPrejudicesinEmployment,” Cognition, Technology & Work, vol. 25, pp. 1–15, 2022, doi:10.1007/s10111-022-00716-0.
Volume: 12 Issue: 02 | Feb 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072 © 2025, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 8.315 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page517
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 02 | Feb 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
[28] C. Rathnayake and A. Gunawardana, “The Role of GenerativeAIinEnhancingHumanResourceManagement Recruitment, Training, and Performance Evaluation Perspectives,”IJSA,vol.8,no.11,pp.13–22,Nov.2023.
[29] A. Peña, I. Serna, A. Morales, J. Fierrez, A. Ortega, A. Herrarte,A.Alcantara,andJ.Ortega-Garcia,“Human-Centric MultimodalMachineLearning:RecentAdvancesandTestbed on AI-Based Recruitment,” SN Computer Science, vol. 4, 2023,doi:10.1007/s42979-023-01733-0.
[30] M. Yadav, M. Kakkar, and P. Kaushik, “Harnessing ArtificialIntelligencetoEmpowerHRProcessesandDrive EnhancedEfficiencyintheWorkplacetoBoostProductivity,” IJRITCC,vol.11,no.8s,pp.381–390,Aug.2023.
[31]H.A.S.Alrakhawi,R.Elqassas,M.M.Elsobeihi,B.Habil, B.S.Abunasser,andS.S.Abu-Naser,“TransformingHuman ResourceManagement:TheImpactofArtificialIntelligence on Recruitment and Beyond,” International Journal of AcademicInformationSystemsResearch,vol.8,no.8,pp.1–5,2024.
[32] G. Koman, P. Boršoš, and M. Kubina, “Sustainable Human Resource Management with a Focus on Corporate Employee Recruitment,” Sustainability, vol. 16, p. 6059, 2024,doi:10.3390/su16146059.
[33] P. Chavan, Y. Chandurkar, A. Tidake, G. Lavankar, S. Gaikwad,andR.Chavan,“EnhancingRecruitmentEfficiency: AnAdvancedApplicantTrackingSystem(ATS),”Industrial Management Advances, vol. 2, 2024, doi:10.59429/ima.v2i1.6373.
[34] Greenhouse. (n.d.). [Online]. Available: https://www.greenhouse.io/
[35] Lever. (n.d.). [Online]. Available: https://www.lever.co/.
[36] Workday. (n.d.). Recruiting. [Online]. Available: https://www.workday.com/.
[37]Dastin,J.(2018,October10).“AmazonScrapsSecretAI RecruitingToolThatShowedBiasAgainstWomen,”Reuters. [Online]. Available: https://www.reuters.com/article/usamazon-com-jobs-automation-insight-idUSKCN1MK08G.
[37] Levy, K. E. C. (2019). “Algorithmic Hiring in Practice: Datafication, Power, and the Making of People Analytics,” JournalofBusinessEthics,vol.160,no.2,pp.377–392,2019.
[38] Virgin Media. (n.d.). [Online]. Available: https://www.virginmedia.com/.
[39]DigitalHRTech.(2018).“5Real-lifeEmployerBranding Disasters,” [Online]. Available: https://www.digitalhrtech.com/employer-brandingdisasters/
[40] Levi Strauss & Co. (n.d.). [Online]. Available: https://www.levistrauss.com/
[41] SHRM. (2017). “Case Study: How Levi Strauss & Co. Digitized Its HR Function,” [Online]. Available: https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hrtopics/technology/pages/levi-strauss-digitizes-hr.aspx
[41] Home Depot. (n.d.). [Online]. Available: https://www.homedepot.com/.
[42] The Muse. (2019). “The Importance of Candidate Experience: What Companies Need to Know,” [Online]. Available: https://www.themuse.com/advice/theimportance-of-candidate-experience.