API vs. Native Integrations for Recruitment Software

Q: Native vs. API integration difference? A: Native: pre-built, officially supported (faster, more reliable). API: custom connections requiring developer maintenance. Choose native when available; API as fallback for unique systems. Q: Why care which type? A: Native tested by both vendors, officially supported. API requires your team maintaining code. Native works after vendor updates. API might break. Native: days to launch. API: weeks. Choose native. Q: Find native integrations for your ATS? A: Go to vendor's app marketplace: Greenhouse App Store, Lever Apps, Workday Marketplace. Search 'resume screening' or tool name. If listed (like HR AGENT LABS), that's native—click install. Q: Setup time native vs. API? A: Native: 30-60 minutes (authorize, configure, map fields, test). API: 2-4 weeks (developer needed). Native wins massively. Unless unique architecture, native is always better. Q: Data security with integration types? A: Native: vendors audited, security certs included. API: you responsible for secure code, encryption, access controls. Verify HTTPS, OAuth, audit logs, rate limiting. HR AGENT LABS requires HTTPS + OAuth. Q: Use both native and API simultaneously? A: Yes. Native for primary ATS (Greenhouse), API for custom reporting system. Risk: data conflicts if systems say different things. Mitigate: ATS is source of truth, others read-only. Q: Integration breaks—how quickly fixed? A: Native: vendor fixes within 24 hours (SLA). You don't fix. API: your developer fixes. If dev left company, stuck until hire someone. Vendor support matters hugely. Q: Stay updated on integration changes? A: Native: auto-updates or auto-notified, update settings if needed. API: monitor vendor changelog, subscribe to alerts. Check for breaking changes quarterly. Q: Cost model difference? A: Native: $50-500/month flat. API: same tool cost + developer ($1-3k/month ongoing). Over 3 years: native saves $15-30k in dev costs vs. custom API. Q: Build custom API for competitive advantage? A: Only if unique. Otherwise you're spending dev resources on infrastructure not product. Best companies use best-of-breed + native integrations, not custom code. Use API integrations only when native doesn't exist.

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