How to recruit people using text messages
When you’ve decided to implement text recruiting, following these steps can increase your campaign’s effectiveness and the quality of the responses you receive.
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Pick a good time to send your text messages
It’s usually not a good idea to send your candidates any type of message outside of your normal business hours. Many people check their phones first thing in the morning and are more attentive to their text messages before noon. If you want to ensure they’re on the lookout for your messages, ask them when the best time to contact them is and aim to deliver your messages within the window they give you.
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Pay attention to your tone
When communicating with potential candidates, aim to find a balance between professional and casual so that they can connect with you on a personal level. Sending messages that sound like formal letters or copy-and-paste responses should be avoided. Include candidates’ names and don’t be afraid to be somewhat informal, since candidates are more likely to respond positively to messages that appear to be aimed towards them and written sincerely.
Related link: 10 Major Types of Job Interviews & Tips for Success
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Know when a text message is appropriate
Emails and phone calls cannot be totally replaced by text messages. When you want to remind applicants of details discussed in a phone call, follow up with candidates after an interview, or invite a candidate who applied before to interview for a new opening, a text message is preferable to an email. A phone call is usually preferable if you need to go into deeper detail.
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Keep everything organised
Keep your campaigns organised to prevent providing the same information twice, losing track of prospective prospects, or allowing too much time to pass between interactions. When you’re managing interactions with numerous candidates for the same position at your organisation, this might be difficult.