Handshake has set messaging limits to encourage more meaningful and intentional interactions with students. There are two types of message limits for employers messaging students in Handshake: time-based limit and "per send".
Limitations set apply to all messages sent by employers, although limits do vary, as detailed below.
All employers can send messages to students individually or in bulk. However, only Premium partners have access to send messages via campaigns.
For Premium partners, limitations are further based on the partnership your company has with Handshake.
Time-based limit
A time-based limit refers to the message limit allocated within a single period, which can be used collectively by all teammates connected to your company profile.
This limit is monthly and applies to all types of messages (individual/bulk messages and campaigns).
Employers can use all of their messages at once, or throughout the month.
Per-send
Per-send refers to the number of recipients selected for bulk messages and campaigns.
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Bulk messages:
- Messages are sent to candidates who are manually selected from areas such as Talent List, Job Matches, and others.
- Note: Basic employers can only send bulk messages to job matches, applicants, and event and fair invitees.
- Premium partners can send bulk messages to a maximum of 500 recipients per message. However, users with Basic accounts or roles have a monthly limit of 25 messages. In such cases, the monthly limit takes precedence over the per-send limit.
- Messages are sent to candidates who are manually selected from areas such as Talent List, Job Matches, and others.
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Campaigns:
- Large-scale outreach targeting a wide range of students based on a segment.
- All campaigns can reach a maximum audience of 5000 recipients.
- Learn more about Segments & Campaigns.
Messaging Limits
Messaging limits vary by both your package and role type. Click on your account type below to view your messaging limits.
Note: All message limits refresh on the first of the month at midnight PST.
If you’d like greater messaging access at any point, contact your account team or submit your details to our sales team here.
Basic (free)
- Monthly message limits: Up to 25 messages per month shared across all users within an account.
- Monthly refresh: Once your account hits its monthly limit, users from your account will be unable to send more messages until the next month (on the first of the month at midnight PST).
Plus
Monthly message limits: 200 messages per month shared across all users within an account.
Talent Essentials
Premium (paid) roles: Owner, Admin, Recruiter-Sourcer, Recruiter-Advanced, Advocate
- Monthly message limits: 200 messages per month per premium seat across the employer
- One campaign per month: Campaigns will be refreshed monthly.
- Expanded campaign reach: Campaigns will reach a maximum audience of 5,000 candidates.
- Monthly refresh: Once you or your account hits its monthly limit, you will be unable to send further messages or campaigns until the next month (on the first of the month at midnight PST).
Basic (unpaid) roles: Representative, Recruiter-Standard
- Monthly message limits: Users with a basic seat within TE accounts share 25 messages per month shared across the employer. These 25 messages will be shared across all users within an account.
- Monthly refresh: Once your account hits its monthly limit, Basic users will be unable to send further messages or campaigns until the next month (on the first of the month at midnight PST).
If you would like to discuss upgrading your Basic (unpaid) users to gain full access to messaging, please reach out directly to your account team.
Talent Engagement Suite
Premium (paid) roles: Owner, Admin, Recruiter-Sourcer, Recruiter-Advanced, Advocate
- Premium seats continue to have unlimited access to messaging
- No more daily message limit: Use your messages all at once or throughout the month.
Basic (unpaid) roles: Representative, Recruiter-Standard
- Monthly message limits: Users with a basic seat within TES accounts share 25 messages per month shared across the employer. These 25 messages will be shared across all users within an account.
- Monthly refresh: Once your account hits its monthly limit, Basic users will be unable to send further messages or campaigns until the next month (on the first of the month at midnight PST).
If you would like to discuss upgrading your Basic (unpaid) users to gain full access to messaging, please reach out directly to your account team.
Message count
Messages only count towards the monthly limits if the employer:
- Sends the student(s) a message, where the student has never replied.
Messages don't count towards the limit if the student:
- Began the conversation.
- Replies to your message.
- Deletes their Handshake account after you have messaged them. In this case, the message credits will be made available to use in that same month.