Over the past 10 years, the influx of technology into the driver recruiting space has been astronomical. A variety of tools, like an applicant tracking system (ATS), are now available to trucking companies that are looking to take their truck driver recruiting process digital. Despite these advances, most fleets are still trudging through as they have for the past 30 years.

Smaller trucking companies have the luxury of being less dependent upon high-volume recruiting, yet recruiters might also need to moonlight in safety and operations or run the orientation class. The added stress can result in drivers falling through the cracks and trucks sitting empty.

Still on the fence about adopting an ATS? Here are 5 reasons to consider implementing an applicant tracking system:

Digital Funnel for Truck Driver Recruiting

Fleets just starting to explore the idea of using an ATS as part of their truck driver recruitment process will generally see the immediate impact of creating a digital recruiting funnel. Rather than submitting a fillable PDF or contact card, full applications are digitized. Once completed, they are automatically deposited into the ATS database for processing.

Simply put, this prevents qualified drivers from being forgotten unintentionally. Rather than getting lost in a sea of emails or on a long-forgotten spreadsheet, potential drivers remain front and center. Fleets with only one or two recruiters benefit from having a centralized location for all leads and the application process. This addition removes the burden created when a team member is out sick or on vacation. Other staff members can easily pick up the slack and continue to process qualified drivers efficiently.

Hire Faster

Recruiters in the trucking industry know that speed kills. With drivers applying to multiple carriers when they are looking to make a move, the competition for that driver’s attention has never been greater. Larger fleets with an army of recruiters quickly gain the upper hand, especially if they have recruiters dedicated to inbound applications.

Most truck driver recruitment software has automated responders that will send potential drivers a text message within seconds of receiving their application. This means that even if you cannot get to their application right away, the platform will work in the background until you are able to reach out. These tools can greatly increase how efficiently you can get drivers through the application process and into the onboarding process. Additionally, if you are not able to contact qualified drivers, many applicant tracking systems have the option to set up drip campaigns that send messages on a schedule that you determine.

Clear Lines of Communication with Truck Drivers

How are you tracking communication currently? Emails are easily traceable, but what about SMS? For many recruiters, it boils down to using a company-assigned phone or personal device. While this might work short-term, what happens if that recruiter leaves?

Applicant tracking systems capture all of this communication, both inbound and outbound, to create transparency throughout the recruitment process. It doesn’t take long in this industry to run into drivers that refute what you told them about pay, home time, or otherwise. With all of the correspondence recorded in the ATS, conversations are visible. Better communication pushes drivers through the recruitment process more quickly, especially when signatures are needed or something needs to be clarified for safety.

Lead Generation Transparency

One of the biggest flaws in working through a manual recruiting process is a general lack of visibility on where your driver leads originate. Over the years, it has become common practice to use various digital marketing platforms to expand their reach into different audiences. But how do you know which ones are working? Applicant tracking systems for truck drivers can provide valuable insights into lead generation transparency. These systems allow recruiters to track the source of each lead, giving them a clear understanding of which digital marketing platforms are generating the most qualified applicants.

By integrating with various digital marketing tools such as social media platforms, job boards, and online advertising platforms, applicant tracking systems can automatically capture the source of each applicant. This data is then compiled and displayed in a centralized dashboard, allowing recruiters to easily identify which marketing channels are delivering the best results.

With this level of transparency, recruiters can make data-driven decisions on where to allocate their resources and budget. They can focus their efforts and investments on effective marketing channels while reducing or eliminating spending on underperforming ones. This not only saves time and money but also enhances recruitment effectiveness by targeting the platforms that attract the most qualified candidates.

Data-Driven Decisions

We often ask our clients, “how do you know you are improving?” For many, using data to help with process improvement is a new concept. Even if they have used a fleet management system, the recruiting department might have limited access to those processes. Any recruiting data produced frequently reveals holes in the hiring process, providing clear indicators for improvement.

You might be able to put drivers through orientation and on the road in record time, but what if your recruiters are not getting to applications until 24 hours after they are submitted? Consider the growth potential that could be had if that were cut in half or more.

These types of insights are readily available with most ATS reporting. With everything from cost-per-hire calculators to real-time recruiter scorecards, fleets can now diagnose problem areas and take swift corrective action.

Finding An Applicant Tracking System

With a variety of options available on the market, it can be a bit overwhelming to cut through the noise. While the KJ Media team does not specifically provide an applicant tracking system, we are intimately familiar with the different platforms available to carriers. As integration partners, we want you to be educated and make the best decision for your fleet. We are happy to introduce you so you can take the first step toward improving your driver recruiting process. Get in touch with us here.