Expand your candidate pool by messaging students with jobs suited to their skills and qualifications.
Learn more about your Message Limits in Handshake.
The option to invite students to apply is available within the following pages in Handshake.
Jobs
On the Jobs page, select the job you would like students to apply for, then click the Matches tab. Discover Job Matches.
The Matches tab displays "Top matches" at the top, which are students who are likely to respond to your outreach.
To invite all Top matches to apply, click the black button Invite to apply in the upper-right corner of the page.
To invite a specific student from the Top matches section, click the white button Message within their profile card.
Below the "Top matches" section, you'll find the "More matches" section, where all candidates who meet the job preferences you've set are listed.
To invite all candidates displayed in the More matches section, check the box to the left of Name, then click the blue button Invite to apply, located above the table.
To invite a specific student(s), check the box to the left of the student's name(s), then click Invite to apply.
When you click the "Invite to Apply" button, a message preview modal opens. It contains a pre-composed message that informs the student(s) why they are a good match for the role.
The pre-composed message reads:
"Hi {first name}
We looked at your profile and think you'd be a great fit for {role} because you match these qualifications:
Area of study: {major}
Class year: {class year}
Graduation: {graduation year}
This position fits your interest in similar roles in {matching interests} near {matching location interest}.
We're looking for students just like you - we hope you'll apply"
If multiple students are selected, the message will be sent to each student separately, and the pre-composed message will be customized according to the student's specific details, e.g., name, qualifications, and matching interests.
If you'd like to send the message as configured, click the green button Send message in the lower-right corner of the modal.
Errors
The message "We've filtered out all candidates according to your message filter preferences" appears if your bulk messaging preferences are set to automatically remove students from your message recipient list if:
- They have applied to a job at {COMPANY NAME} in the past 12 months.
- I (you) have sent them a message in the past 12 months.
- Anyone at {COMPANY NAME} has sent them a message in the past 12 months.
To update your bulk messaging preferences, refer to Employer Account User Settings.
Edit message
To edit the pre-written template, click the hyperlinked text Edit message at the bottom of the modal.
A message compose modal will open. You may include other attachments, such as your availability calendar, and introduce a teammate.
Compose your message, then click the blue button Preview message to preview your message.
Check out How to write a recruiting message to students (plus 7 templates).
Once you are ready to send your message, click the green button Send message.
The confirmation message displayed upon sending the message is dependent upon the recipients.
- The message "You invited your top matches to apply! Check back tommorow for new top matches." will display in a black banner at the top of the page if you've invited your Top matches.
- The message "Your message has been sent to {NUMBER} of candidates" will display in a green banner at the bottom-center of the page if you've invited students from More matches (all matches).
Talent
1. Click Talent from the left navigation bar, then select the student(s) you wish to invite to apply. Check out A Guide to Talent List.
2. Click the blue button Message to the far right of the student you want to message, *or check the box for “Showing [Range] of Number” to select all students, then click the blue button Message in the upper-right corner of the page.
3. The message text box will open. Compose your message, then click the hyperlinked text Include... and select Job Invite.
4. In the pop-up modal, choose the job posting from the dropdown, then click the blue button Attach.
-
Basic employers can attach their availability calendar, while Premium partners can attach their availability calendar as well as introduce a teammate in their message.
- *Learn more about Messaging Students: Attach a Team Member
- Explore Availability Calendars for Virtual Info Chats
Once attached, the job will display as an attachment at the bottom of the message text box.
5. Once your message is complete, click the blue button Preview Message, then the green button Send.
- To edit your message, click Cancel or the X in the upper-right corner of the modal.
6. The pop-up will close, and the confirmation message "Your message has been sent to [#] of candidates" will display in a green banner at the bottom of the page.
Once the message is received, students can apply for the job if they are interested.
Additional resources
*Premium partners can promote specific jobs using campaigns. Learn more about Campaigns: Create a Job Campaign.