In modern recruitment, data and speed are becoming crucial competitive advantages. Companies need not only to find suitable candidates but also to do it faster and more accurately than competitors. This is where ATS (Applicant Tracking System) shines: not just managing candidates, but also providing real-time data, predicting bottlenecks, and helping HR make decisions based on insights.
In Vietnam, more and more companies—from technology startups to multinational corporations—are beginning to view ATS as the "backbone" of their talent strategy. This article will analyze the leading ATS tools for Vietnamese businesses while suggesting how to select and implement them for maximum effectiveness.
What is ATS and why do businesses need it?
ATS (Applicant Tracking System) or "recruitment management system" is software that helps companies manage the entire recruitment process on a single platform. Instead of managing dozens of Excel files, responding to scattered emails, or tracking candidates via messaging apps like Zalo,
HR can use ATS to:
- Automatically collect CVs from multiple recruitment channels
- Store candidate information centrally
- Manage each interview round through a pipeline
- Analyze recruitment effectiveness with real-time reports
In other words, ATS is not just a "resume management tool" but the "backbone of modern recruitment operations." In recruitment, ATS delivers benefits that optimize business performance:
- Save time: Instead of spending hours filtering CVs, ATS can scan hundreds of resumes in seconds.
- Optimize costs: Report data shows which channels are effective and which waste money, allowing budget adjustments.
- Improve recruitment quality: Features like AI Screening and ranking help filter the most suitable candidates.
- Enhance candidate experience: Interview schedules are sent automatically, feedback is quick, candidates have a more professional experience, and recruitment brand strengthens.
According to State Management Magazine, companies using ATS can reduce recruitment time by an average of 27% and increase candidate quality by 20%.
Key features needed in an ATS tool
A modern ATS tool must ensure 3 main feature groups:
1. Recruitment Automation
- Automatic resume screening: ATS uses AI to analyze experience, skills, and certifications.
- Pipeline management: HR can drag-drop candidates between interview rounds.
- Automation: Send reminder emails, confirmation messages, and feedback immediately after interviews.
2. Recruitment Platform Integration
- Post jobs once, display on multiple platforms like VietnamWorks, TopCV, LinkedIn, CareerBuilder.
- Sync with HRM, ERP, Slack, Google Calendar systems for seamless workflows.
- Prevent HR from manually "copy-pasting" from multiple sources.
3. Reporting and Data Analysis
- Display full funnel: number of CVs, pass-through rates, offer acceptance rates.
- Standard KPIs: time-to-fill, cost-per-hire, quality of hire, retention rate.
- Intuitive dashboard: not only for reporting to management but also to identify bottlenecks when they occur.
Top ATS tools suitable for Vietnamese businesses
International ATS Tools
| Tools | Advantages | Limitations | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workable | Easy to use, has simple features | High cost for SMEs, Vietnam support is limited | Multinational enterprises, market-oriented startups |
| BambooHR | Comprehensive HR management (recruitment, timekeeping, benefits) | Focuses more on HRM than ATS, not optimized for recruitment | Medium and small companies needing comprehensive HR solutions |
| Zoho Recruit | Competitive pricing, mobile app available, rich ATS features | Limited specialized features for Vietnamese market, difficult customization | New SMEs starting to use ATS |
ATS Tools in the Vietnamese Market
| Tools | Key Advantages | Limitations | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hire Central | AI screening integration, CV Parser, real-time funnel analysis, multi-country process customization. Automates up to 85% of recruitment tasks. Deployment in 2 weeks. | Requires short initial training period. | Medium & large enterprises, multinational corporations, Tech, Finance, Retail sectors. |
| TopCV ATS | Built-in candidate pool from TopCV, easy access to general workforce. | Lacking advanced AI features, multi-tier reporting limited. | Retail, F&B, large-scale recruitment chains. |
| VietnamWorks ATS | Vietnam's largest candidate database, easy job posting integration. | Few AI automation features, basic reporting. | Medium and small companies needing quick candidate sourcing. |
Feature and Cost Comparison
| Criteria | Hire Central | TopCV ATS | VietnamWorks ATS | Workable | BambooHR | Zoho Recruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI Screening | ✔ (CV analysis, candidate ranking) | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ |
| CV Parser | ✔ (scan CV from Word/PDF) | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ |
| Multi-channel Integration | ✔ (Zalo, SMS, Email, LinkedIn, Slack) | TopCV only | VietnamWorks only | ✔ international | ✔ | ✔ |
| Real-time Funnel Reporting | ✔ (multi-level: department, country) | Basic reporting | Basic reporting | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Cost | Optimized by scale, SMEs → Enterprise | Low, suitable for SMEs | Low, suitable for SMEs | High | Medium | Low |
| Deployment | 2 weeks | Fast | Fast | Medium | Medium | Medium |
According to Vietnam HR Magazine , 68% of companies using ATS significantly improved the "time-to-fill" metric—average recruitment time decreased from 42 days to 29 days.
Hire Central provides a set of 25 recruitment email templates to help HR send emails quickly and at the right time, from interview invitations to thank you letters. This improves candidate experience and saves hours of manual email writing. When combined with the Hire Central platform, companies not only standardize the entire process but also improve recruitment speed and quality, especially in competitive tech industries.
Learn more:
- Evaluating ATS Systems in Recruitment Process
- AI-Powered ATS Optimization: Transforming Recruitment in Vietnam
- How Does Recruitment ATS Help Improve Candidate Experience?
How to choose the right ATS?
Selecting the right ATS system (Applicant Tracking System) is an important step for companies to optimize recruitment effectiveness. The right tool not only helps HR save time but also improves candidate quality and overall recruitment experience.
ATS Evaluation Criteria
When selecting ATS, companies can base decisions on:
- Automation capability: Must support resume screening, email sending, interview reminders.
- AI & analytics features: Ability to rank candidates, analyze source effectiveness.
- Integration capability: Connect with HR software, payroll, or job portals.
- User-friendly interface: Easy for HR and candidates alike.
- Customization capability: Flexible by company size, industry, and recruitment pipeline.
- Cost & ROI: Ensure budget alignment and long-term benefits.
Implementation Notes in Vietnam
Given the Vietnamese labor market, when implementing ATS, companies should pay attention to:
- Language & support: Prioritize solutions with Vietnamese language support and local customer care.
- Local recruitment channel integration: Connect with VietnamWorks, TopCV, CareerBuilder.
- Legal compliance & security: Comply with labor laws and personal data protection laws.
- Candidate behavior: Vietnamese candidates prefer simple forms or email applications, so systems must be easy to access.
ATS Development Trends
In coming years, ATS systems will become increasingly smart and comprehensive. Notable trends include:
- AI and Machine Learning: Support candidate evaluation based on predictive capability, not just CV.
- Recruitment Chatbots: Allow candidates to receive instant feedback 24/7, increasing professionalism and seamless experience.
- HR Ecosystem Integration: ATS connects with payroll, LMS (Learning Management System), and performance management software.
- Mobile-first: Candidates can apply and track status directly on phones.
- Predictive Hiring: Help companies forecast candidate retention and future performance.
Gartner predicts that by 2026, over 70% of global companies will apply AI in ATS to improve accuracy in candidate screening.
Learn more:
- Recruitment Report: Instructions and Free Templates
- 03 Methods to standardize an effective recruitment framework
- Identify Human Resources Needs & Comprehensive Strategic Guide
- Recruitment Process Flowchart, Detailed Guide and Template
Conclusion
Applying AI and optimized ATS is the key for Vietnamese businesses to improve recruitment. From reducing time and costs to improving candidate quality and strengthening recruitment brand—all start with choosing the right tool.
Try a free demo of the Hire Central platform, an AI-powered ATS that has helped many Vietnamese companies reduce recruitment time by up to 60%.
