How to Send Bulk Text Messages to Candidates Without Hurting Deliverability

What bulk texting is and when to use it

Knowing how to send bulk text messages to candidates saves hours when you have a large applicant list and one clear message for all of them. In ATS Mako, mass SMS is native to the platform. You build a segment, write one message that pulls in each candidate's details, and send. Every reply threads back to that candidate's own record in one conversational inbox.

Use a bulk send when the message is the same for everyone in the group: an open interview day, a shift reminder, a status update, or a nudge to finish an application. Switch to one-to-one texting when the conversation depends on the person, such as negotiating an offer or answering a specific question. Both use the same delivery and opt-out handling.

Why a bulk send underperforms

If replies are thin or candidates say they never got your text, the cause is usually one of these:

• The segment includes candidates who already opted out. They are excluded from automated SMS sends, so they will not receive the message.
• The audience criteria were too broad or too narrow, so the wrong people got the text.
• The message reads like a generic blast instead of a note from your team.
• The send was timed poorly for candidates in other time zones.
• Consent was not captured for some candidates before the send.

How to send a bulk text the right way

1. 1 Confirm consent first Only text candidates who have given prior consent. ATS Mako supports consent capture, a Reply STOP opt-out and quiet-hours awareness. These are guardrails; staying compliant with applicable laws remains your responsibility.
2. 2 Build your audience Use the dynamic audience builder to slice your pipeline by role, stage, location or activity. Define the criteria once and the segment stays current, so it reflects your pipeline each time you send.
3. 3 Write a short, personal message Bulk sends pull in candidate details so each text reads like a one-to-one message. Name your company, give one clear reason for the text, and include one action. Messages go out under your brand, not ATS Mako's.
4. 4 Choose SMS, email or both Pick the channel that fits. Email sends include unsubscribe handling. Many teams pair a short text with a longer email for the same segment.
5. 5 Time the send Plan around quiet hours, especially when your segment spans locations. For date-based messages like interview reminders, use calendar-triggered outreach so the text fires at the right moment automatically.
6. 6 Work the replies Replies land in the centralized inbox on each candidate's own thread. Automations step aside when a candidate replies, so a recruiter can take over. STOP replies are handled automatically.

Hi [First name], this is the hiring team at [Company]. Thanks for applying for the [Role] position in [Location]. We are holding open interviews this week and would like to see you. Reply YES and we will send times. Reply STOP to opt out.

For more on texting across time zones, see this guide to staying inside quiet hours when you recruit by SMS. If you also need to move the same group forward after a send, learn how to move whole groups to the next stage.

How to confirm it worked

• Open a few candidate records from the segment and check that the message appears on their thread.
• Watch the conversational inbox for replies. Each reply should sit on the right candidate's record.
• Check that candidates who replied STOP are now marked opted-out.
• Review the segment criteria and confirm the audience matches who you meant to reach.

When to contact support

Contact ATS Mako support if candidates with consent consistently do not receive texts, if replies are not appearing on candidate records, or if opt-outs are not being applied. ATS Mako sends across multiple SMS providers for deliverability and flexibility at scale, and support can help review delivery on your account. To see the full set of bulk messaging and pipeline tools, visit the feature overview.