Integrations: ATS with Job Boards, HRIS, and CRM
An ATS is only as powerful as its integrations. Here's how to connect it with the tools that make recruiting smarter, faster, and more strategic.
A standalone ATS is like a brilliant recruiter in a locked room—talented, but disconnected. The real value of an Applicant Tracking System lies in how it integrates with the rest of your HR and business tech stack.
Why Integrations Matter
Recruiting doesn’t happen in isolation. Your ATS should seamlessly connect with systems across the candidate and employee lifecycle.
Integration with Job Boards
Job board integration is table stakes for any modern ATS. It enables one-click posting and real-time tracking of performance across platforms like:
- Indeed
- Monster
- ZipRecruiter
- Niche boards (e.g. AngelList, Hired, Stack Overflow)
Benefits of Job Board Integration
- Saves time through bulk posting
- Reduces copy-paste errors
- Centralizes application data
- Allows better ROI analysis of paid job ads
Integration with HRIS / HCM Platforms
An ATS isn’t the end of the journey—once someone is hired, they become an employee. That’s where your HRIS (Human Resource Information System) or HCM (Human Capital Management) software comes in.
Typical data transferred includes:
- Candidate name and contact
- Position and offer details
- Start date and manager
- Resume and application data
Common ATS–HRIS Integrations
- Workday
- BambooHR
- Personio
- SAP SuccessFactors
- Gusto
- ADP
Integration with CRMs and Talent Pools
Some companies—especially those in high-volume or relationship-based hiring—use a Candidate Relationship Management (CRM) system alongside their ATS.
ATS and CRM integrations allow:
- Syncing passive candidate profiles into the ATS
- Tracking outreach and engagement
- Building segmented talent pipelines
Other Critical Integrations
Besides job boards, HRIS, and CRM tools, your ATS should connect with:
- Calendars (Google, Outlook) for interview scheduling
- Video interview tools (Zoom, HireVue)
- Assessment platforms (Codility, Criteria)
- Background check providers (Checkr, GoodHire)
- eSignature tools (DocuSign, HelloSign)
API vs. Native Integrations
There are typically two ways ATS platforms connect with other tools:
- Native integration: Built-in connection maintained by the vendor.
- Open API: Custom integration built by your team or a third party.
Integration Challenges and Risks
While integrations are powerful, they can be fragile if not managed well:
- Data mismatches due to different field formats
- Latency issues when syncing large volumes
- Security gaps if authentication is inconsistent
- Vendor blame games when errors occur across systems
Conclusion
The true strength of your ATS lies not just in what it does alone, but how well it works with others. Integrations save time, reduce errors, and unlock better candidate and recruiter experiences.