Power in the palm of your hand: SMS recruitment, the tool recruiters have been waiting for

SMS recruitment is a simple idea that’s revolutionised the recruiter landscape. The better you are at it, the more capable candidates you’ll get.

To become the master of SMS recruitment, send text messages at the perfect time in the candidate cycle that provide information, request action, or let them know that a decision’s been made.

Both in-house recruiters and agencies love this technique, and it’s getting more and more popular because it offers so much more than old school call-based methods, including:

• Discretion for candidates

• Capacity to instantly update all candidates at the same time

• Bulk, group or individual SMS options

• Cost and time investment savings

• Access to possibly the most reliable communication method

How can in-house recruiters use SMS?

You can use SMS in a whole range of different ways to boost your recruitment techniques, including:

Take on new candidates

SMS can help you reach new candidates.

Set up a phone number (preferably a five-digit text code) and get candidates to apply or enquire by texting in a keyword (e.g. ‘Text JOB to 53773’).

Advertise the keywords on your marketing materials and company website to drum up attention.

Create a smooth candidate experience by setting up an auto-response system to let them know their message has been received instantly.

Send bulk communications

Calling every candidate will take up all of your time so that’s definitely not the best option.

Email might be faster, but there’s no guarantee that the candidate will receive it. With SMS, 90% of candidates will see the message within just three minutes.

Text messages can be created for a particular group of candidates or individuals.

Book interviews

You can use SMS as a quick and easy way of booking interviews with candidates.

If you use two-way text messaging, you can let all successful candidates know they’re through to the interview stage in one batch, and ask them to confirm their availability by texting back.

You can also answer their questions directly, or book them in for a different day.  

Send reminders

Once your candidate is booked in for an interview, you can send them an SMS reminder.

This should tell them where to go and at what time, as well as providing a handy set of instructions that can be taken all the way to the interview on their mobile device.

If the candidate changes their mind or wants to rearrange their interview, they can let you know well in advance of the date agreed.

Follow up

Schedule a callback or follow-up meeting after the interview has taken place using SMS.

By booking an appointment in advance, rather than calling them at work, you’ll have time to give them the feedback they deserve.

This level of consideration would boost your employer brand and set you apart from most other employers.  

The personal approach is key to a successful recruitment campaign, as it enhances the candidate experience and builds a level of trust that is not matched by a letter headed ‘Dear Sir or Madam’.

SMS techniques support the candidate throughout the process and deliver that personal touch that your candidates crave for. With so much power in the palm of your hand, it looks like SMS is here to stay!