What Is an Applicant Tracking System? A Plain-English Guide for Pakistani SMEs
Amaan Farhan
4 min read
An applicant tracking system, or ATS, is software that keeps applications received through connected job boards and forms in one place, with each candidate's CV, source, hiring stage and notes in one record. Applications from unconnected sources may need to be added manually. Your team opens that one list instead of scattered inboxes and job-site dashboards. It is for employers; job seekers looking to "beat" an ATS will not find advice here.
Last checked: 6 November 2026.
What does an ATS actually do?
Greenhouse describes an ATS as software that collects applications and stores source, role and status (Greenhouse). Four core jobs:
| Job | What you see |
|---|---|
| Collect | Connected boards and forms land in one table; unconnected sources may need manual entry |
| Organise | Each person has a record: CV, contacts, source |
| Track stages | Move someone from Applied to Interview to Offer; history stays on the record |
| Remember | Team notes and past applicants stay searchable |
Scoring or ranking is optional. See seven signs you have outgrown WhatsApp and Excel.
When I first got into this industry, I thought an applicant tracking system was exactly what the name suggested: a database that kept applications organised. I later realised that a good ATS can do more: move candidates through stages, let teammates add comments and collaborate, and, depending on the tool, help with ranking and outreach. For me, the point is to make the team's work easier, not just store CVs.
Does an ATS reject CVs on its own?
The claim that 75 per cent of CVs are thrown out by an ATS comes from a 2012 sales pitch with no published method (The Conversation). Tools can automatically screen or reject using configured criteria, such as a join-date question or minimum experience. Behaviour varies, so check settings and review exclusions. The risk is a bad rule, not a universal robot deleting CVs. See our CV shortlisting process.
Is an ATS the same as Rozee, a CV database or HR software?
No. An ATS can replace a shared sheet; it need not replace WhatsApp messaging.
- A job portal (Rozee.pk, Mustakbil, LinkedIn, Indeed) shows your job and sends applicants. Compared in where Pakistani employers should post jobs.
- A CV database is searchable profiles, not a stage tracker.
- HR software usually means payroll, attendance and leave. An ATS covers hiring only, up to the offer.
Our recruitment software comparison sorts options by type.
Does a small Pakistani company need an ATS?
Not always. If one person hires a few times a year and replies to each applicant, a sheet is enough. Peoplifi's Pakistan glossary puts the point near 10 to 20 hires a year (Peoplifi). Vendor estimate, not a rule; open roles matter more.
Move earlier if applications arrive from more than two places, more than one person screens, or a strong past applicant sat unused in an old sheet.
CVs contain personal data. Check who can view or download them, how long they are kept, and how they can be deleted.
How much does an ATS cost in Pakistan?
Compare the pricing shape first.
| Model | What to watch | Verified example |
|---|---|---|
| Flat monthly fee in PKR | May cap jobs | Taraki Silver PKR 10,000/month (3 posts); Gold PKR 25,000/month (unlimited). Both: LinkedIn company page, Google Jobs, Indeed |
| Per employee, PKR | Grows with headcount | PayPeople (HR suite with ATS): "from Rs. 400/employee/month" (blog) |
| Per user / seat | Grows when managers join hiring | Common on global tools; ask the seat price and who counts as a user |
Taraki plans: pricing.
Five questions to ask before you buy
- Where does the job go? LinkedIn, Indeed, Google Jobs, Rozee, Mustakbil? If a board is missing, how do its applicants get in?
- Who pays for a new user? Can managers see the pipeline without a new seat?
- WhatsApp from the tool? Or does the team still copy numbers into phones?
- What do you bill in? PKR, local payment, tax invoice?
- Can we export? Candidates and notes in a file Excel can open.
Where Taraki fits, and where it doesn't
We make Taraki, so judge this section accordingly. On Silver and Gold, one post goes to your LinkedIn company page, Google Jobs and Indeed, and applications from those boards land in one table. Sort by Tara's optional score, build stages, leave notes, and open WhatsApp in one click. No per-seat fee. See applicant tracking, AI scoring and candidate database.
It does not post to Rozee or Mustakbil. A score is a starting point, not a decision, and we don't claim it replaces payroll or attendance.
Frequently asked questions
What does ATS stand for? Applicant Tracking System. "Applicant tracking software" means the same idea. "Recruitment software" is broader (job boards, CRMs, HR suites); the terms overlap but are not universal synonyms.
Can I use Excel or Google Sheets as an ATS? For a handful of roles with one owner, yes. It will not collect applications from connected boards or keep candidate messages. See when a sheet is still enough.
Do candidates need to pay or sign up for an ATS? Employers generally pay. Candidates may need a free account on some careers portals; others accept a CV and contact details without registration. Check the application flow.
Want applications from your connected boards in one place? See how Taraki's applicant tracking works.
Amaan Farhan, Marketing Associate at Taraki. He leads marketing and growth with an AI-native approach, and writes about how Pakistani teams can hire with less admin and better tools. LinkedIn
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