textcuts

Recruiter text message templates you can send today

You hire people, and a lot of the day happens in short messages: a candidate who applied, an interview to confirm, an offer to explain, a no to deliver kindly. These twelve messages cover the whole arc, from the first hello to the first day and the check in months later. They ask about the job and never the person, which keeps you on the right side of equal employment rules, and they are meant for people who agreed to be texted. The nine pages below go deeper on each moment. Copy any message, or add all 12 to your keyboard and send them from iMessage, WhatsApp, LinkedIn or SMS in one tap, in any app.

Add these 12 templates to your keyboard Add the 6 essentials

Works in WhatsApp, iMessage, Instagram, Messenger and every other app.

Words in {{double braces}} are blanks. In the textcuts keyboard you fill them with one tap, and the names you used recently come back.

First contact

A short first hello

Essential
Hi {{name}}, I'm a recruiter and I saw your application. May I call tomorrow for ten minutes? Say stop and I'll leave you alone.

When to send: The day you read it.

Why it works: It names you, asks small and offers an exit.

The role in two lines

EssentialPro
{{name}}, here is the role in two lines: what you'd do, and where. The full listing is at {{link}}. Interested, or not a fit?

When to send: Right after a yes.

Why it works: Short enough to read on a phone.

Still thinking?

Still thinking it over, {{name}}? Take your time. I'll hold your place in the process until Friday.

When to send: A few days after your first text.

Why it works: It nudges and gives space.

Ask what they want

{{name}}, what would your next role need to have? Two things is plenty. I'll send only what fits.

When to send: In the first chat.

Why it works: It aims you at their needs.

Interviews

You are confirmed

Essential
You're confirmed, {{name}}. Check your email for the time and place. Reply if you need to change anything.

When to send: After booking.

Why it works: It reassures and allows changes.

Thanks for coming

Essential
Thanks for coming in, {{name}}. I'll pass your feedback to the team and call you with news this week.

When to send: After an interview.

Why it works: It sets an expectation.

Waiting on the team

{{name}}, still waiting on the team. No news is not bad news. I'll write again by Friday.

When to send: If a decision slips.

Why it works: A promised date calms people.

Moving a time

No trouble, {{name}}. Let's find another time. What day next week works best for you?

When to send: When they ask to move.

Why it works: It asks, not questions.

Offers and starts

An offer is coming

Essential
Good news, {{name}}. The team wants to make you an offer. May I call you today to go over it?

When to send: Before the offer.

Why it works: It invites a call.

Welcome aboard

Welcome aboard, {{name}}. Your first day starts at the time in your email. Come to reception and say hello.

When to send: The night before day one.

Why it works: It makes the first step easy.

Staying in touch

A polite no

Essential
Hi {{name}}, thanks for taking the time to apply. We have decided on another candidate. Best of luck with your search.

When to send: When it is a no.

Why it works: Kind and prompt.

How is the new job

Hello {{name}}, how is the new job going? No agenda here. I just like hearing how people are doing.

When to send: After a placement.

Why it works: It starts a referral goodwill.

When to send each message

WhenMessageNote
The day you read their applicationA short first helloSay who you are.
After they say yesThe role in two linesShort.
After bookingYou are confirmedReassure.
After the interviewThanks for comingPromise a date.
Before the offerAn offer is comingAsk for a call.
The night before day oneWelcome aboardGive a time.

Do not say

  • Texting a number that never agreed to hear from you (a bought list, or a number copied from a profile).

    Instead: Text only people who applied or told you they are fine with texts, and honor stop.

    Source

  • Asking about age, family plans, religion, origin or health in a text.

    Instead: Ask about the job: skills, schedule, location and the pay range.

    Source

  • Sending one pasted message to a whole list.

    Instead: Type each message yourself, one candidate at a time, with their name.

  • Promising terms beyond the written offer.

    Instead: Say the letter is what counts.

  • Reasons for a no that are not about the job.

    Instead: Keep it short and about requirements.

    Source

  • Pressure deadlines you cannot back up.

    Instead: Give a real date.

Add these 12 templates to your keyboard Add the 6 essentials

Works in WhatsApp, iMessage, Instagram, Messenger and every other app.

Templates by situation

Sourcing

Interviews

Pipeline

Offers

Frequently asked questions

Do these work on the free plan?

Yes. 11 of these 12 templates use a single blank, which fills in on the free plan. The other 1 uses two blanks, and filling both from the keyboard needs Pro. Free holds 8 textcuts and 1 folder, so the six essentials fit. Importing all of them also works, because imports are never blocked and nothing is deleted.

Do I need permission to text a candidate?

Yes. Text only people who applied, replied to you or told you they are happy to be texted, and send each message yourself, one person at a time. Honor "stop" at once. Say in your first message that they can tell you if they'd rather not get texts. The US rules on texting are in the FCC's guide to unwanted robocalls and texts.

Can I send these in WhatsApp, iMessage or LinkedIn?

Yes. textcuts is a keyboard, so it works in every app where you type: iMessage, WhatsApp, SMS, LinkedIn, Messenger and Instagram. Add the messages once and tap to insert them.

What should the first text to a candidate say?

Who you are, the role in one line, and an easy way out. The first template does all three. The candidate first text page has more.

Where do I start with rejections?

Be quick and kind, and give only job based reasons. See the rejection page.

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