Candidates often respond to text messages faster than email, especially for time-sensitive steps like interview scheduling or reminders.

One-Way SMS in Recruit helps you communicate with candidates faster using text messages. By adding SMS alongside email, teams can reduce delays, improve response rates, and cut down on interview no-shows.

• Timely reminders delivered via text improve interview attendance.
• You avoid missed emails caused by spam filters.
• SMS messages are typically read within minutes.

Prerequisites & limitations

• One-Way SMS is currently available only for positions in the US or Canada and candidates with valid US or Canadian phone numbers.
• Your company has an annual SMS quota based on its plan.
• Candidates must opt in before Recruit can send them SMS messages.
• SMS is available for these templates:
  • Application: Thanks for applying (standard)
  • Interview: Self-scheduling invite
  • Interview invite: In person/Phone/Video

How it works

One-Way SMS works alongside email to help candidates receive key hiring updates faster.

1. An admin submits the SMS registration form in your Recruit company settings. The Spark Hire Support team reviews the registration and assigns your company a dedicated SMS phone number.
2. Once SMS is active, your team can enable it for supported templates.
3. Candidates can opt in to SMS when they apply through the application form or supported job boards. Recruit saves their consent status in the candidate profile. Before sending an SMS, Recruit checks that the candidate opted in and has a valid US or Canadian phone number.
4. SMS messages are sent during quiet hours-approved windows: 8:00 AM–9:00 PM on weekdays, based on the position’s time zone. Messages created outside that window are queued for the next available time.
5. If SMS cannot be sent and a fallback email is available, Recruit sends the email version so the candidate still receives the update.
6. Sent, delivered, failed, opt-in, and opt-out events appear in the candidate activity history.

Register your company for SMS messaging

Before your team can send SMS messages, a company Admin or Owner must register your company for compliant SMS delivery.

1. From the left-side menu, navigate to Settings > Hiring setup > Texting (SMS).

2. Click Get started to fill out the in-app form required for SMS delivery in the US and Canada.

   

3. The Spark Hire Recruit support team will review and process your registration.

4. Once approved, your company will be assigned a dedicated North American SMS phone number.

   

Enable/disable One-Way SMS at the company level

After your registration is approved and your company is assigned a phone number, an Owner or Admin can enable or disable One-Way SMS.

1. From the left-side menu, go to Settings > Hiring setup > Texting (SMS).
2. Select Enable to make One-Way SMS available to your team or Disable to stop your team from sending SMS messages.

Choose email or SMS when sending a message

Recruit supports Text (SMS) for the following auto-templates:

• Application: Thanks for applying (standard)
• Interview: Self-scheduling invite
• Interview invite: In person/Phone/Video

For these supported messages, you can choose how to contact the candidate by enabling/disabling the email and text (SMS)M options.

1. From the left-side menu, navigate to Library > Templates. 

2. Choose the relevant email under the To candidates list and select Email, Text (SMS), or both.

   

3. Review each template and edit it as necessary.
4. Save your changes.

How candidates opt in

Candidates can opt in to receive SMS messages when they apply for a position. Recruit collects SMS consent through the application form and supported job boards, including Indeed and LinkedIn.

After a candidate opts in, their SMS consent status appears in the candidate profile. Recruit also logs opt-in and opt-out activity in the candidate activity history.

View SMS activity in the candidate activity log

SMS activity appears in the candidate activity log. You can use it to see when an SMS message was sent, delivered, or failed. The activity log also shows SMS opt-in and opt-out events.

FAQ