Nov 11, 2024

9 Reasons to Use SMS for Staffing and Candidate Outreach in 2024

In today’s recruitment landscape, automation and AI have transformed how companies attract and engage talent. Yet, a growing trend often overlooked is the use of SMS (text messaging) as a communication tool. Text messaging is a powerful asset for recruiters to connect with candidates, enhancing engagement, speed, and overall experience. Here are nine compelling reasons to consider SMS in your hiring strategy in 2024.

Note: Always obtain explicit consent before initiating text communication with candidates. Without it, reach out via other channels first to request opt-in for text updates.

1. Higher Engagement Rates

With a 98% open rate for text messages compared to just 20% for emails, SMS outshines traditional email in candidate engagement. Texts receive a 45% response rate compared to email’s 6%, making it 7.5 times more likely that candidates will respond to a text. SMS is direct, convenient, and reaches candidates whether they’re at work, on the go, or between meetings.

Quick Tip:

Send a follow-up text after emailing lengthy documents to ensure candidates don’t miss out.

2. Candidates Prefer Texts to Calls

Today’s workforce, especially Millennials and Gen Z, finds calls inconvenient and even anxiety-inducing. Texting allows candidates to reply on their own time, ensuring they feel valued and comfortable. Real-time exchanges via SMS allow a smoother experience and transparency, helping candidates stay informed about their application status without added stress.

3. SMS Speeds Up Hiring

Slow response times are a common pain point for candidates. By using SMS for initial outreach and follow-ups, you can cut down time-to-hire and gain a competitive edge. Some ideas:

  • Text-to-Apply: Share a QR code or dedicated SMS number, enabling candidates to text directly for job applications.

  • Opt-In for Job Alerts: Allow candidates to subscribe to updates on new positions.

  • Automated Screening: Use SMS flows to pre-qualify candidates.

4. Less Intrusive Communication

SMS respects candidates’ schedules and privacy. Unlike phone calls, texts can be read discreetly without disrupting work or alerting a current employer. You can also set texts to be sent during regular hours to maintain professionalism without infringing on personal time.

5. Simplifies Candidate Screening

Using bulk SMS and pre-set templates, recruiters can easily screen large volumes of candidates, requesting documents, confirming job requirements, or completing background checks. This lets recruiters focus more time on interviewing and moving viable candidates forward in the process.

6. Higher Completion Rates for Applications

Sometimes, candidates abandon applications due to unclear instructions or technical glitches. A follow-up text can help by answering questions or allowing candidates to revisit applications they didn’t complete the first time. This simple step can result in a noticeable uptick in completed applications.

7. Integrate SMS into Existing Systems

Most SMS platforms integrate with applicant tracking systems (ATS) and other recruitment tools, allowing recruiters to sync messages, update candidate profiles, and automate processes like interview confirmations. Integrations also enable texts to trigger other actions, such as sending status updates or reminders for interview prep.

8. Cost-Effective and Scalable

SMS is affordable, costing about 4 cents per message, and highly scalable. For a minimal monthly fee, recruiters can even secure a dedicated SMS number. For small businesses, it’s less costly than a subscription to expensive software and offers flexibility in communication frequency based on responses.

9. Enhances Candidate Experience in Onboarding

Once a candidate accepts an offer, texts can keep them engaged and informed through onboarding. Periodic messages with company updates, event invites, or feedback requests show new hires that they’re valued. A welcoming onboarding process often leads to higher retention rates and positive impressions, which are crucial as they transition into their roles.


Incorporating SMS into your recruitment strategy can improve engagement, streamline your processes, and help secure top talent more efficiently. The key is balancing SMS with other channels and experimenting with what best resonates with your unique audience.

Join our mailing list to stay tuned and ahead of market trends!

The blog by engineers for engineers

Continue Reading

Why Digital Nomads Might Be the Best (and Most Challenging) Talent You’ll Ever Hire

February 12, 2024

9 Reasons to Use SMS for Staffing and Candidate Outreach in 2024

November 11, 2024

6 Traits of Recruiters Candidates Love

November 11, 2024

10 Essentials for Training Recruiters

October 28, 2024

4 Ways to Effectively Utilize LinkedIn Groups for Recruiters

October 14, 2024

Are You Hiring a Fake Engineer?

October 7, 2024

Will the Job Market Improve in Q4 2024? Key Trends and Hiring Insights for 2025

October 1, 2024

5 Future Trends in Employment Types

September 23, 2024

Unlocking Success: Why Tracking Recruitment Metrics is Essential for Effective Hiring

September 16, 2024

Why Top Talent Won't Wait – And Neither Should You

September 9, 2024

Mastering Remote Teams: Your Blueprint for Success

September 2, 2024

From Awareness to Action: Five Steps to Reduce Bias in Your Hiring Process

June 10, 2024

HIRING MANAGER TIPS

How to Retain Top Engineering Talent: Beyond the Salary

May 13, 2024

An imaginative representation of the future of recruiting, featuring a futuristic cityscape as a background.
An imaginative representation of the future of recruiting, featuring a futuristic cityscape as a background.

Hiring Managers

The Future of Recruiting and How to Prepare

April 25, 2024

Hiring Manager Tips

Building a Magnetic Employer Brand: Attracting Top Talent in a Competitive Market

November 27, 2023

Hiring Manager Tips

Unconventional Hiring Strategies: Thinking Outside the Resume

August 28, 2023

Hiring Manager Tips

The Top 3 Traits To Look For In Your Next Engineering Hire

August 14, 2023

Hiring Manager Tips

The Cost of a Bad Engineering Hire

August 7, 2023

Hiring Manager Tips

Why Traditional Job Posting Methods Are No Longer Effective For Engineering Hiring

July 31, 2023

Hiring Manager tips

How to Effectively Onboard Your New Engineers for Maximum Success

July 24, 2023

The Top 5 Reasons Why Your Engineering Hiring Process Is Failing

July 18, 2023

Hiring Manager Tips

How to Hire Remote Engineers: Tips from an Experienced Recruiter

July 10, 2023

Diversity

Why a Diverse Team is Crucial for Your Company's Success

June 26, 2023

Candidate Tips

You've Been Laid Off Now What?

June 19, 2023

Hiring Engineers

The Benefits of Keeping Your Interview Process Short and Lean

June 12, 2023

The Benefits of Partnering with a Recruiting Agency

June 5, 2023

Hiring Engineers

Closing the Deal: Tips for Hiring Managers to Seal the Deal with Engineering Candidates

May 23, 2023

Exceptional Engineers

Unlocking the Secrets to Finding Exceptional Engineers

May 8, 2023

Editorial

Retaining Engineering Talent: Building a Thriving and Innovative Team

May 1, 2023

Guides

Finding the Perfect Engineering Employer: A Guide for Engineers

April 24, 2023

Guides

Finding the Right Recruiting Agency: A Guide for Companies

April 17, 2023

© 2023 EDEN CAPITAL CAREERS - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Nov 11, 2024

9 Reasons to Use SMS for Staffing and Candidate Outreach in 2024

In today’s recruitment landscape, automation and AI have transformed how companies attract and engage talent. Yet, a growing trend often overlooked is the use of SMS (text messaging) as a communication tool. Text messaging is a powerful asset for recruiters to connect with candidates, enhancing engagement, speed, and overall experience. Here are nine compelling reasons to consider SMS in your hiring strategy in 2024.

Note: Always obtain explicit consent before initiating text communication with candidates. Without it, reach out via other channels first to request opt-in for text updates.

1. Higher Engagement Rates

With a 98% open rate for text messages compared to just 20% for emails, SMS outshines traditional email in candidate engagement. Texts receive a 45% response rate compared to email’s 6%, making it 7.5 times more likely that candidates will respond to a text. SMS is direct, convenient, and reaches candidates whether they’re at work, on the go, or between meetings.

Quick Tip:

Send a follow-up text after emailing lengthy documents to ensure candidates don’t miss out.

2. Candidates Prefer Texts to Calls

Today’s workforce, especially Millennials and Gen Z, finds calls inconvenient and even anxiety-inducing. Texting allows candidates to reply on their own time, ensuring they feel valued and comfortable. Real-time exchanges via SMS allow a smoother experience and transparency, helping candidates stay informed about their application status without added stress.

3. SMS Speeds Up Hiring

Slow response times are a common pain point for candidates. By using SMS for initial outreach and follow-ups, you can cut down time-to-hire and gain a competitive edge. Some ideas:

  • Text-to-Apply: Share a QR code or dedicated SMS number, enabling candidates to text directly for job applications.

  • Opt-In for Job Alerts: Allow candidates to subscribe to updates on new positions.

  • Automated Screening: Use SMS flows to pre-qualify candidates.

4. Less Intrusive Communication

SMS respects candidates’ schedules and privacy. Unlike phone calls, texts can be read discreetly without disrupting work or alerting a current employer. You can also set texts to be sent during regular hours to maintain professionalism without infringing on personal time.

5. Simplifies Candidate Screening

Using bulk SMS and pre-set templates, recruiters can easily screen large volumes of candidates, requesting documents, confirming job requirements, or completing background checks. This lets recruiters focus more time on interviewing and moving viable candidates forward in the process.

6. Higher Completion Rates for Applications

Sometimes, candidates abandon applications due to unclear instructions or technical glitches. A follow-up text can help by answering questions or allowing candidates to revisit applications they didn’t complete the first time. This simple step can result in a noticeable uptick in completed applications.

7. Integrate SMS into Existing Systems

Most SMS platforms integrate with applicant tracking systems (ATS) and other recruitment tools, allowing recruiters to sync messages, update candidate profiles, and automate processes like interview confirmations. Integrations also enable texts to trigger other actions, such as sending status updates or reminders for interview prep.

8. Cost-Effective and Scalable

SMS is affordable, costing about 4 cents per message, and highly scalable. For a minimal monthly fee, recruiters can even secure a dedicated SMS number. For small businesses, it’s less costly than a subscription to expensive software and offers flexibility in communication frequency based on responses.

9. Enhances Candidate Experience in Onboarding

Once a candidate accepts an offer, texts can keep them engaged and informed through onboarding. Periodic messages with company updates, event invites, or feedback requests show new hires that they’re valued. A welcoming onboarding process often leads to higher retention rates and positive impressions, which are crucial as they transition into their roles.


Incorporating SMS into your recruitment strategy can improve engagement, streamline your processes, and help secure top talent more efficiently. The key is balancing SMS with other channels and experimenting with what best resonates with your unique audience.

Join our mailing list to stay tuned and ahead of market trends!

The blog by engineers for engineers

Continue Reading

Why Digital Nomads Might Be the Best (and Most Challenging) Talent You’ll Ever Hire

Feb 12, 2024

9 Reasons to Use SMS for Staffing and Candidate Outreach in 2024

Nov 11, 2024

6 Traits of Recruiters Candidates Love

Nov 11, 2024

10 Essentials for Training Recruiters

Oct 28, 2024

4 Ways to Effectively Utilize LinkedIn Groups for Recruiters

Oct 14, 2024

Are You Hiring a Fake Engineer?

Oct 7, 2024

Will the Job Market Improve in Q4 2024? Key Trends and Hiring Insights for 2025

Oct 1, 2024

5 Future Trends in Employment Types

Sep 23, 2024

Unlocking Success: Why Tracking Recruitment Metrics is Essential for Effective Hiring

Sep 16, 2024

Why Top Talent Won't Wait – And Neither Should You

Sep 9, 2024

Mastering Remote Teams: Your Blueprint for Success

Sep 2, 2024

From Awareness to Action: Five Steps to Reduce Bias in Your Hiring Process

Jun 10, 2024

How to Retain Top Engineering Talent: Beyond the Salary

May 13, 2024

HIRING MANAGER TIPS

An imaginative representation of the future of recruiting, featuring a futuristic cityscape as a background.

The Future of Recruiting and How to Prepare

Apr 25, 2024

Hiring Managers

Building a Magnetic Employer Brand: Attracting Top Talent in a Competitive Market

Nov 27, 2023

Hiring Manager Tips

Unconventional Hiring Strategies: Thinking Outside the Resume

Aug 28, 2023

Hiring Manager Tips

The Top 3 Traits To Look For In Your Next Engineering Hire

Aug 14, 2023

Hiring Manager Tips

The Cost of a Bad Engineering Hire

Aug 7, 2023

Hiring Manager Tips

Why Traditional Job Posting Methods Are No Longer Effective For Engineering Hiring

Jul 31, 2023

Hiring Manager Tips

How to Effectively Onboard Your New Engineers for Maximum Success

Jul 24, 2023

Hiring Manager tips

The Top 5 Reasons Why Your Engineering Hiring Process Is Failing

Jul 18, 2023

How to Hire Remote Engineers: Tips from an Experienced Recruiter

Jul 10, 2023

Hiring Manager Tips

Why a Diverse Team is Crucial for Your Company's Success

Jun 26, 2023

Diversity

You've Been Laid Off Now What?

Jun 19, 2023

Candidate Tips

The Benefits of Keeping Your Interview Process Short and Lean

Jun 12, 2023

Hiring Engineers

The Benefits of Partnering with a Recruiting Agency

Jun 5, 2023

Closing the Deal: Tips for Hiring Managers to Seal the Deal with Engineering Candidates

May 23, 2023

Hiring Engineers

Unlocking the Secrets to Finding Exceptional Engineers

May 8, 2023

Exceptional Engineers

Retaining Engineering Talent: Building a Thriving and Innovative Team

May 1, 2023

Editorial

Finding the Perfect Engineering Employer: A Guide for Engineers

Apr 24, 2023

Guides

Finding the Right Recruiting Agency: A Guide for Companies

Apr 17, 2023

Guides

© 2023 EDEN CAPITAL CAREERS - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.