---
title: "How Candidate Screening Tools Can Build 30+ ATS Integrations in Two Days"
description: "Looking to scale your ATS integrations faster and with less resources? Read this article to see how a unified ATS API can help your use case"
source_url: "https://www.getknit.dev/blog/how-can-candidate-screening-tools-build-30-ats-integrations-in-two-days"
page_type: "blog"
---

_This is an educational blog post from Knit's blog: “How Candidate Screening Tools Can Build 30+ ATS Integrations in Two Days”._

# How Candidate Screening Tools Can Build 30+ ATS Integrations in Two Days

If you want to unlock 30+ ATS integrations with a single API key, [check out Knit API](https://dashboard.getknit.dev/signup)

With the rise of data-driven recruitment, it is imperative for each recruitment tool, including candidate sourcing and screening tools, to integrate with Applicant Tracking Systems(ATS) for enabling centralized data management for end users.

However, there are hundreds of ATS applications available in the market today. To integrate with each one of these applications with different ATS APIs is next to impossible.

> That is why more and more recruitment tools are looking for a better (and faster) way to scale their ATS integrations. [Unified ATS APIs](https://www.getknit.dev/integration-categories/ats-api) are one such cost-effective solution that can cut down your integration building and maintenance time by 80%.

Before moving on to how companies can leverage unified ATS API to streamline candidate sourcing and screening, let's look at the workflow and how ATS API helps.

## TABLE OF CONTENTS

•        Candidate sourcing and screening workflow

•        How ATS API helps streamline candidate sourcing andscreening

•        Addressing challenges of ATS API integration withUnified API

•        Other benefits of using a Unified ATS API

•        How to improve your screening workflow with Knitunified ATS API

•        FAQs

## Candidate sourcing and screening workflow

Here’s a quick snapshot of the candidate sourcing and screening workflow: 

#### 1) Job posting/ data entry from job boards

Posting job requirements/ details about open positions to create widespread outreach about the roles you are hiring for. 

#### 2) Candidate sourcing from different platforms/ referrals

Collecting and fetching candidate profiles/ resumes from different platforms—job sites, social media, referrals—to create a pool of potential candidates for the open positions.

#### 3) Resume parsing 

Taking out all relevant data—skills, relevant experience, expected salary, etc. —from a candidate’s resume and updating it based on the company’s requirement in a specific format.

#### 4) Profile screening

Eliminating profiles which are not relevant for the role by mapping profiles to the job requirements.  

#### 5) Background checks 

Conducting a preliminary check to ensure there are no immediate red flags. 

#### 6) Assessment, testing, interviews

Setting up and administering assessments, setting up interviews to ensure role suitability and collating evaluation for final decision making. 

#### 7) Selection 

Sharing feedback and evaluation, communicating decisions to the candidates and continuing the process in case the position doesn’t close. 

## How ATS API helps streamline candidate sourcing and screening

Here are some of the top use cases of how ATS API can help streamline candidate sourcing and screening.

#### Centralized data management and communication

All candidate details from all job boards and portals can be automatically collected and stored at one centralized place for communication and processing and future leverage. 

#### Automated profile import

ATS APIs ensure real time, automated candidate profile import, reducing manual data entry errors and risk of duplication. 

#### Customize screening workflows 

ATS APIs can help automate screening workflows by automating resume parsing and screening as well as ensuring that once a step like background checks is complete, assessments and then interview set up are triggered automatically. 

#### Automated candidate updates within the ATS in real time

ATS APIs facilitate real time data sync and event-based triggers between different applications to ensure that all candidate information available with the company is always up to date and all application updates are captured ASAP.

[Read:How to Automate Recruitment Workflows with ATS APIs and Hire Smarter](https://www.getknit.dev/blog/how-to-automate-recruitment-workflows-with-ats-apis-and-hire-smarter)

#### Candidate engagement data, insights and patterns using ATS data

ATS APIs help analyze and draw insights from ATS engagement data — like application rate, response to job postings, interview scheduling — to finetune future screening.

#### Integrations with assessment, interview scheduling and onboarding applications

ATS API can further integrate with other [assessment](https://www.getknit.dev/integration-categories/assessment-), interview scheduling and onboarding applications enabling faster movement of candidates across different  recruitment stages. 

#### Personalized outreach based on historical ATS data

Undoubtedly, using ATS API integration can effectively streamline the candidate sourcing and screening process by automating several parts of the way. However, there are several roadblocks to integrating ATS APIs at scale, which is why many companies hold off on building this out themselves.

In the next section, we'll look at how a unified ATS API solves these common roadblocks for SaaS products looking to scale their ATS integration strategy.

Undoubtedly, using ATS API integration can effectively streamline the candidate sourcing and screening process by automating several parts of the way. However, there are several roadblocks to integrating ATS APIs at scale because of which companies refrain from leveraging the benefits that come along. Try our [ROI calculator](https://www.getknit.dev/blog/unified-api-roi-calculator) to see how much building integrations in-house can he.

In the next section we will discuss how to solve the common challenges for SaaS products trying to scale and accelerate their ATS integration strategy.

## Addressing challenges of ATS API integration with Unified API

Let's discuss how the roadblocks can be removed with unified ATS API: just one API for all ATS integrations. Learn more about unified APIs [here](https://www.getknit.dev/)

### Challenge 1: Loss of data during data transformation 

When data is being exchanged between different ATS applications and your system, it needs to be normalized and transformed. Since the same details from different applications can have different fields and nuances, chances are if not normalized well, you will end up losing critical data which may not be mapped to specific fields between systems. 

This will hamper centralized data storage, initiate duplication and require manual mapping not to mention screening workflow disruption. At the same time, normalizing each data field from each different API requires developers to understand the nuances of each API. This is a time and resource intensive process and can take months of developer time.

#### How unified ATS API solves this: One data model to prevent data loss

Unified APIs like Knit help companies normalize different ATS data by mapping different data schemas from different applications into a single, [unified data model](https://www.getknit.dev/) for all ATS APIs. Data normalization takes place in real time and is almost 10X faster, enabling companies to save tech bandwidth and skip the complex processes that might lead to data loss due to poor mapping.

**Bonus:** Knit also offers an _custom data fields_ for data that is not included in the unified model, but you may need for your specific use case. It also allows you to request data directly from the source app via its Passthrough Request feature. [Learn more](https://developers.getknit.dev/reference/passthrough-request)

### Challenge 2: Delayed recruitment due to inability of real-time sync and bulk transfers

Second, some ATS API integration has a polling infrastructure which requires recruiters to manually request candidate data from time to time. This lack of automated data updation in real time can lead to delayed sourcing and screening of applicants, delaying the entire recruitment process. This can negatively impact the efficiency that is expected from ATS integration. 

Furthermore, Most ATS platforms receive 1000s of applications in a matter of a few minutes. The data load for transfer can be exceptionally high at times, especially when a new role is posted or there is any update.

As your number of integrated platforms increases, managing such bulk data transfers efficiently as well as eliminating delays becomes a huge challenge for engineering teams with limited bandwidth

#### How unified ATS API solves this: Sync data in real-time irrespective of data load/ volume

Knit as a unified ATS API ensures that you don’t lose out on even one candidate application or be delayed in receiving them. To achieve this, Knit works on a  webhooks based system with event-based triggers. As soon as an event happens, data syncs automatically via webhooks. 

**Read:** [How webhooks work and how to register one?](https://developers.getknit.dev/docs/register-webhook-url)

Knit manages all the heavy lifting of polling data from ATS apps, dealing with different API calls, rate limits, formats etc. It automatically retrieves new applications from all connected ATS platforms, eliminating the need to make API calls or manual data syncs for candidate sourcing and screening. 

> At the same time, Knit comes with retry and resiliency guarantees to ensure that no application is missed irrespective of the data load. Thus, handling data at scale. 

This ensures that recruiters get access to all candidate data in real time to fill positions faster with automated alerts as and when new applications are retrieved for screening. 

### Challenge 3: Compliance and candidate privacy concerns

Since the ATS and other connected platforms have access to sensitive data, protecting candidate data from attacks, ensuring constant monitoring and right permission/ access is crucial yet challenging to put in practice.

#### How unified ATS API solves this: Secure candidate data effectively

Knit unified ATS API enables companies to effectively secure the sensitive candidate data they have access to in multiple ways. 

*   First, all data is doubly encrypted, both at rest and in transit. At the same time, all PII and user credentials are encrypted with an additional layer of application security. 

*   Second, having an events-driven webhooks architecture, Knit is the only unified ATS API which **does not** store any copy of the customer data in its server. Thus, reducing changes of data misuse further. 

*   Third, Knit is GDPR, SOC II and ISO27001 compliant to make sure all industry [security standards](https://www.getknit.dev/security) are met. So, there’s one less thing for you to worry about.

### Challenge 4: Long deployment duration and resource intensive maintenance

> Finally, ATS API integration can be a long drawn process. It can take 2 weeks to 3 months and thousands of dollars to build integration with  just a single ATS provider. 

With different end points, data models, nuances, documentation etc. ATS API integration can be a long deployment project, diverting away engineering resources from core functions.

It’s not uncommon for companies to lose valuable deals due to this delay in setting up customer requested ATS integrations. 

Furthermore, the maintenance, documentation, monitoring as well as error handling further drains engineering bandwidth and resources. This can be a major deterrent for smaller companies that need to scale their integration stack to remain competitive.  

#### How unified ATS API solves this: Instant scalability

A unified ATS API like Knit allows you to [connect with 30+ ATS platforms in one go](https://www.getknit.dev/integration-categories/ats) helping you expand your integration stack overnight. 

All you have to do is embed Knit’s UI component into your frontend once. All heavy lifting of auth, endpoints, credential management, verification, token generations, etc. is then taken care of by Knit. 

## Other benefits of using a Unified ATS API

Fortunately, companies can easily address the challenges mentioned above and streamline their candidate sourcing and screening process with a unified ATS API. Here are some of the top benefits you get with a unified ATS API:

### Effective monitoring and logging for all APIs

Once you have scaled your integrations, it can be difficult to monitor the health of each integration and stay on top of user data and security threats. Unified API like Knit provides a detailed Logs and Issues dashboard i.e. a one page overview of all your integrations, webhooks and API calls. With smart filtering options for Logs and Issues,  Knit helps you get a quick glimpse of the API's status, extract historical data and take necessary action as needed.

### Extensive range of Read and Write APIs

Along with Read APIs, Knit also provides a range of Write APIs for ATS integrations so that you can not only fetch data from the apps, you can also update the changes — updating candidate’s stage, rejecting an application etc. - directly into the ATS application's system. [See docs](https://developers.getknit.dev/reference/job-data-models)

### Save countless developer hours and cost

For an average SaaS company, each new integration can take anywhere from six weeks to three months to build and deploy, with ongoing maintenance typically requiring a minimum of 10 developer hours per week per integration. Multiply that across 30+ ATS platforms - or 200, if your customer base needs it - and the in-house build-and-maintain workload adds up quickly, both in direct engineering time and in opportunity cost.

A unified ATS API like Knit absorbs most of this cost by maintaining the connections to its full catalog of ATS platforms centrally - you integrate once and get access to all of them, with Knit handling ongoing maintenance as each ATS updates its own API.

In short, an API aggregator is non negotiable if you want to scale your ATS integration stack without compromising valuable in-house engineering bandwidth.

#### Get Job details from different job boards

Fetch job IDs from your users Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) using Knit’s [job data models](https://developers.getknit.dev/reference/job-data-models) along with other necessary job information such as departments, offices, hiring managers etc.

#### Get applicant details

Use the job ID to fetch all and individual applicant details associated with the job posting. This would give you information about the candidate such as contact details, experience, links, location, experience, current stage etc. These data fields will help you screen the candidates in one easy step.

#### Complete screening activities

Next is where you take care of screening activities on your end after getting required candidate and job details. Based on your use case, you parse CVs, conduct background checks and/or administer assessment procedures.

#### Push back results into the ATS

Once you have your results, you can progmmatically push data back directly within the ATS system of your users using Knit’s write APIs to ensure a centralized, seamless user experience. For example, based on screening results, you can —

*   Update candidate stage using <update stage> API [See docs](https://developers.getknit.dev/reference/update-application-current-stage)
*   Match scores for CV parsing or add a quick tag to your applicant [See docs](https://developers.getknit.dev/reference/create-a-candidate-tag)
*   Reject an application [See docs](https://developers.getknit.dev/reference/reject-application) and much more

Thus, Knit ensures that your entire screening process is smooth and requires minimum intervention.

## Get started with Unified ATS API

If you are looking to quickly connect with 30+ ATS applications — including Greenhouse, Lever, Jobvite and more — [get your Knit API keys today](https://app.getknit.dev/signup).

You may [talk to our one of our experts](https://www.getknit.dev/contact) to help you build a customized solution for your ATS API use case. 

The best part? You can also [make a specific ATS integration request](https://www.getknit.dev/contact). We would be happy to prioritize your request. 

Related reading: How to Automate Recruitment Workflows with ATS APIs and Hire Smarter · [How Interview Scheduling Companies Can Scale ATS Integrations 10X Faster](https://www.getknit.dev/blog/how-interview-scheduling-companies-can-scale-ats-integrations-10x-faster) · [ATS Integration Guide](https://www.getknit.dev/blog/ats-integration-guide)

#### What is an ATS API?

An ATS API is the interface that an Applicant Tracking System exposes so other software can read and write recruiting data — things like job postings, candidate profiles, resumes, and application status. Knit provides a unified ATS API that sits on top of 30+ individual ATS APIs, so a candidate screening tool can pull job and applicant data through one consistent endpoint instead of learning each platform's API separately. Most ATS APIs use REST endpoints with OAuth-based authentication, and data models vary significantly between providers — a Greenhouse candidate object, for example, doesn't look like a [Workday](https://md.getknit.dev/mcp-servers/workday-mcp-server) one, which is exactly the normalization problem a unified API is built to solve.

#### What are ATS integrations?

ATS integrations are connections that let an Applicant Tracking System share candidate, job, and application data with other tools — sourcing platforms, assessment providers, interview schedulers, HRIS systems, and screening software. For a candidate screening tool, this typically means pulling new applicant profiles and job requisitions from the ATS, and pushing screening results (stage updates, tags, rejections) back. Knit's unified ATS API handles this two-way sync for 30+ ATS platforms through a single integration, including authentication, data normalization, and real-time updates via webhooks, so screening tools don't have to build and maintain a separate connection for every ATS their customers use.

#### What is the difference between an ATS and a CRM?

An ATS (Applicant Tracking System) manages the hiring pipeline for open roles — job postings, applications, resume screening, interview stages, and offers. A CRM (Candidate Relationship Management or, in sales contexts, Customer Relationship Management) is built for ongoing relationship management, such as nurturing a talent pool of passive candidates before a role even opens, or managing sales leads. In recruiting, some platforms blend both: an ATS handles active requisitions while a recruiting CRM manages the broader talent pipeline. For a candidate screening tool, the ATS is usually the primary data source, and Knit's ATS API connects to 30+ of these platforms to retrieve that data in one normalized format.

#### What ATS platforms are most commonly used?

Widely used ATS platforms span from enterprise systems like [Workday](https://md.getknit.dev/mcp-servers/workday-mcp-server), Oracle Taleo, [SAP SuccessFactors](https://md.getknit.dev/mcp-servers/sap-successfactors-mcp-server), and iCIMS to recruiting-focused tools like Greenhouse, Lever, JazzHR, and Workable, plus regional platforms like [BambooHR](https://md.getknit.dev/integration/bamboohr), Zoho Recruit, and JobAdder. Which ATS a company uses often depends on its size, industry, and region — there's no single dominant platform across all markets. This fragmentation is the core challenge for candidate screening tools that need to support multiple customers, each potentially on a different ATS. Knit's unified ATS API currently covers 30+ of these platforms — including Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, [BambooHR](https://md.getknit.dev/integration/bamboohr), and Jobvite — through one integration.

#### How does an ATS API improve candidate screening accuracy?

Knit's ATS API improves screening accuracy by replacing manual data entry with automated, real-time sync — candidate profiles, resumes, and job requirements flow directly from the ATS into the screening tool in a consistent format, removing the copy-paste errors and missed updates that come with manual handoffs. Because Knit normalizes data from every connected ATS into one schema, a screening tool's matching logic works against the same fields regardless of which ATS a customer uses, rather than handling 30+ different data structures. Screening results — stage updates, tags, scores — can then be written straight back into the ATS via Knit's write APIs, keeping recruiters' view of candidates current.

#### Is candidate data secure when synced through an ATS API?

Knit encrypts candidate data both at rest (AES-256) and in transit (TLS 1.3), with an additional layer of application-level encryption for PII specifically. Knit is SOC 2, GDPR, and ISO 27001 compliant, and operates on a pass-through architecture — it doesn't store a persistent copy of customer data on its servers, syncing instead via a webhook-based model. For candidate screening tools, this matters because applicant data (resumes, contact details, background check results) is sensitive personal data under regulations like GDPR, so the security posture of any integration layer between your tool and your customers' ATS platforms is a real due-diligence question.

#### Can a screening tool connect to multiple ATS platforms with one integration?

Yes — this is the core use case for a unified ATS API. Instead of building and maintaining 30 separate integrations, one per ATS your customers use, a candidate screening tool can embed Knit's unified API once and get access to 30+ ATS platforms — including Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, BambooHR, and Jobvite — through a single set of endpoints and one data model. Knit handles the authentication flow, credential storage, and data normalization differences for each platform, and new ATS platforms added to Knit's catalog become available to your tool automatically, without additional engineering work on your side.

#### Does Knit support real-time candidate updates from the ATS?

Yes. Knit runs on a 100% event-driven, webhook-based architecture, so when a new candidate applies or an application status changes in a connected ATS, your screening tool receives that update in near real time without polling. This matters for screening workflows because delays in picking up new applicants directly translate to slower time-to-screen. For ATS platforms that don't natively support outbound webhooks, Knit provides virtual webhooks — it handles the underlying polling and delivers the same event-driven experience, so your integration code doesn't need to know which ATS platforms support webhooks natively and which don't.

#### How do I get started with Knit's ATS API?

You can [sign up for a Knit](https://app.getknit.dev/signup) account and get an API key for free to start testing against Knit's unified ATS API, which covers 30+ ATS platforms through one set of endpoints. Knit's documentation at developers.getknit.dev covers authentication, the unified data models for jobs, candidates, and applications, and both read and write endpoints — so you can fetch candidate and job data and push screening results back into the ATS. If you need a specific ATS that isn't yet in Knit's catalog, you can request it, and the Knit team can also walk through your specific screening workflow on a call.


## Related pages

- [How Knit works](https://md.getknit.dev/how-knit-works)
- [Unified API product](https://md.getknit.dev/products/unified-api)