Text messages

Configured in

• sms-templates
• twilio

Have SMS conversations with candidates — templated or free-form.

Where to find it

Candidate profile → Texts tab

Who can use it

Anyone with access to candidates

Direct URL

https://app.nextal.com/candidates/<ID>?tab=texts

🔒Requires permission:Candidate Read

What it does

Send and receive SMS with a candidate right from their profile. The thread view shows incoming and outgoing messages with timestamps and delivery status; new messages can use templates configured by your admin.

Screenshot pendingThe Texts tab with a chat-like thread of incoming and outgoing SMS and a compose field at the bottom

The Texts tab. Each message shows its delivery status: sent, delivered, or failed.

How to use it

1. Open the Texts tab

   You’ll see the full thread so far.

2. Pick a template or type free-form

   Choose a template (e.g. “Phone screen reminder”) or type a message in the compose field.

3. Send

   Delivery status — sent, delivered or failed — appears next to each outgoing message.

Caution

SMS provider required. Text messaging requires an SMS provider (for example Twilio) to be configured in your organization settings. Without a provider, the Send button is disabled and a hint points you at the setup page.

Composing an SMS

Screenshot pendingThe SMS compose dialog with the candidate phone number, body field, and templates

The SMS compose dialog. Keep messages short — most SMS templates fit in 160 characters.

Click New SMS at the top of the tab. The dialog pre-fills the candidate phone number and lets you:

• Pick a saved SMS template.
• Type free text (a character counter shows how many segments your message will use).
• Send immediately or schedule for later.

Replies from the candidate land in the same thread automatically and trigger a notification.

Setting up SMS for your team

SMS requires a provider configured at the workspace level — Twilio is the most common. Once enabled, every recruiter can send and receive without any further setup on their account. If you do not see the SMS tab, ask your admin to enable SMS in Settings → Integrations.

Tips

• SMS open rate beats email. Use it for “I just sent you the offer details” follow-ups, interview confirmations, or last-minute schedule changes.
• Keep it short. 160 characters per segment. Long messages span multiple segments and cost more.
• Never paste a long URL. Use a short link service — long URLs eat your character budget and look spammy.