Workable Texting is a premium feature that can be used to communicate with candidates over text message. Using the primary phone number on the candidate's profile, send a text to that number through Workable.
When candidates reply to your text you are notified through Inbox notifications in the Workable app and desktop site, as well as through updates on the candidate's Timeline. For each job posted, the sender number is randomly generated automatically by Workable (we are not using your personal number). The format of the number used to contact candidates is based on the job's location.
Sending a text
When viewing a candidate's profile a new button will appear on the action bar:
Clicking the button will open the messaging form on the Timeline. You'll be able to confirm the number at which the candidate will be texted. Type your message (up to 1600 characters at a time) and click Send Text Message when ready.
Workable automatically generates a random number per job- based on the job's location - through which to contact the candidate. The candidate will receive the text as if it were any normal message, they can even add it as a contact on their phone.
| Job location | Number format |
|---|---|
| US | US |
| Canada | Canada |
| UK | UK |
| EU | UK |
| Rest of world | US |
When the candidate replies you will receive a notification through the Workable app and desktop site and you can reply through your Workable Inbox. Updates to the conversation are always posted on the candidate's Timeline too and you can set the visibility level of the conversation to protect sensitive information.
You can also create communication templates and send text messages in bulk or via automated actions to individually contact multiple people at once.
Texting consent management
When candidates apply there will be a tooltip under the Phone field letting them know that this number may be used by the hiring team to contact them.
If they add their phone number the system will mark them as consenting to receive text messages.
If the candidates have been uploaded/sourced, we recommend asking them to provide their written consent over email before texting them. You'll be notified about their consent status if you attempt to send a text.
You can enable texting for the candidate by clicking the link that appears, or by editing the candidate's profile (click the three dots icon > Edit Candidate). For example, if the candidate mentioned over email that it is alright to text them, you could enable texting. Their contact preference is always listed on their candidate profile and texting can be disabled or enabled for a candidate as needed.
Candidates can also opt out of receiving texts by replying STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE or CANCEL to your message.
Not supported countries
The service may be unreliable for a few specific countries mainly due to limitations in the way telecommunication carriers are handling text messages. These countries are:
- India
- Brazil
- New Zealand
- Saudi Arabia
- UAE
- Philippines
Troubleshooting
See our guide to sending texts or troubleshoot with the steps below.
Wrong primary phone number / Not receiving replies
Verify that you contacted the candidate at the correct number. To change the candidate's contact number:
- Access their profile in Workable and click the three dots on the action bar
- Select Edit Candidate
- Find the phone number field and click on it to update it
- Save the changes to exit the editing mode, the number will now be updated