Job searching hasn’t suddenly gotten any less stressful or time consuming. While the unemployment rate has declined each month since March, millions of Americans are still looking for work.
So as you interact with candidates, get to know them, and fill positions, why wouldn’t you want to streamline your communication? Give them a simple, straight-forward process that shows you care about them as a person. Texting ensures you do that!
If you haven’t seriously considered using text before, here are 7 ways you can use texting as a recruiter or hiring manager throughout the hiring process. Use these tips to communicate more quickly and personally with applicants, giving them greater reassurance and help.
Promote Jobs Using Keywords
For each of the different jobs you’re hiring for, create and promote separate keywords for interested people to text in. When someone texts the keyword, they then automatically receive information like:
– an introduction from you with your contact details
– basics about the company
– a link to the full job description
– a way to submit an application
Where should you share and advertise these keywords? Wherever you want people to see them! This could be on your website, company LinkedIn page, other social media, billboards in your area, job boards…
Send Job Descriptions and Company Info
Even if you don’t want to use the keyword method, texting still works great for sending job info.
If you keep a list of candidates who you reach out to when relevant jobs show up, texting helps you get the word out fast. That’s the most immediate way to communicate and they get a personal text from you, so that certainly won’t hurt your relationship.
Or when you’ve found a candidate you’re interested in recruiting for a specific job, reach out to them with whatever medium they prefer, whether that’s email or LinkedIn. In that message, include your phone number and encourage them to text you anytime with questions they may have.
Confirm You Received Applications
You gather all sorts of contact info when people apply. Use this as an opportunity to start a conversation via text. By texting them that their application was received, they get a small moment of immediate relief.
In this same text, tell them who you are (because even if you had a previous conversation, they may not have saved your name or info) and how they can contact you. Also outline what the next steps in the process will be and when they can expect to hear back next.
Set Interviews and Send Reminders
When it’s time to invite someone to an interview, whether that’s a preliminary call or an “in-person” interview, text them to set it up. It’s easy to give them a link to a calendar with available slots or have a quick conversation to decide the time.
Once a time is set, send them a confirmation text and follow up with reminder texts. Reminder texts are as much about decreasing forgetfulness as they are about eliminating intentional no-shows. That push for accountability matters, and applicants will appreciate it.
Like with most meetings and appointments, we recommend sending a reminder text 1 day before and then 1-2 hours before. All of this still applies even though interviews now often happen remotely.
Send Pre-Interview Encouragement and Tips
In any pre-interview texts, include tips for what the interviewee may need to have prepared. Is there a certain question you want them thinking about beforehand? Should they have samples or a portfolio ready to share?
Make sure they have that info as soon as possible and remind them of it as the interview date approaches.
Also give them info on who exactly they will be interviewing with and what the roles of those people are.
If interviews are remote via Zoom, Google, or WebEx, ensure the applicant understands how that process will work. For good measure, provide tips for a smooth video experience.
Follow Up After the Interview
Whenever you conduct an interview, send the candidate a thank you text. If you didn’t conduct the interview, still follow up!
Make them feel appreciated and like their time was well spent. Ask if they have further questions and provide info on relevant next steps. Make sure they know what’s coming next and when.
No matter what, don’t go silent. That causes unnecessary stress and reflects poorly on you and the company.
Follow Up Once the Hiring Decision Is Made
While texting isn’t the best way to send hiring decisions, you can still use texting to reaffirm the relationship after a hiring decision has been made.
For those who didn’t get the job:
Thank them for their time and efforts in applying. If feasible for texting, offer feedback or tips on the interview and hiring process. And as appropriate, give them recommendations for somewhere else they may want to apply.
If you do keep a list of former applicants to reach out to when there are new jobs, confirm with them that it’s okay to save their info and contact them in the future.
For those who did get the job:
Congratulate them! Obviously! Then, give them the details they need to get ready for work.
For example, share who will be their main point of contact before the start date and who will take care of them after. In this less-than-normal time, also make sure they understand how the business runs if people are primarily working from home.
Keep your communication organized with Skipio
You don’t want to be using your personal phone number for these conversations, just like you wouldn’t use your personal email address to communicate on behalf of your company.
Sign up for Skipio and keep all your contacts, conversations, and appointments in one place. Our range of plans make it so that you can easily use texting as a recruiter or hiring manager no matter the size of your company.
