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Send candidate SMS from kanban

Send a text message (SMS / texto) to one or more candidates from the kanban — custom or template, with optional AI message assistance. Requires a configured SMS provider.

Where to find it
Kanban → applicant menu → Send SMS
Who can use it
Anyone with edit access to candidates and a configured SMS provider.
Direct URL
https://app.nextal.com/jobs/<ID>?tab=applicants

Send a text message (SMS / texto) to the candidate’s phone — pulled straight from the kanban. The sidebar has two starting modes: Custom (free-form) and Template (pre-written messages your team has configured).

The Send SMS sidebar. Templates save you typing; an AI assistant helps when you need a custom draft.

When to use this

Text reaches candidates faster than email. Use it when:

  • You want a quick “are you still interested?” check.
  • You need to confirm a same-day interview attendance.
  • The candidate is hard to reach by email.

Requires a configured SMS provider at your organization. If you don’t see this action in the menu, your administrator hasn’t set up texting.

How to open it

  1. Find the candidate on the kanban.
  2. Open the applicant menu (or check several cards for bulk send).
  3. Pick Send SMS / Send text. The sidebar slides in from the right.

What you fill in

Type

Two options:

  • Custom — type the message yourself.
  • Template — pick from your organization’s active SMS templates. The content prefills from the chosen template; still editable.

Template picker

Visible when type = Template. Lists every active SMS template your organization has configured.

Content

The actual message body. Required. Plain text only — no formatting. Keep it under typical SMS length (160 chars) to avoid being split across multiple texts.

AI assistant (when available)

If AI message assist is enabled at your organization, you’ll see an AI helper option. It can draft, refine or shorten a message based on a prompt — useful for crafting tone-appropriate outreach quickly.

What happens when you click Send

An SMS is sent to the candidate’s phone number (taken from their profile). The message is logged on the candidate’s timeline and visible on the Messages tab of their profile. Bulk send = one SMS per candidate.

Who can do what

What you want to do

What you need

Send SMS to a candidate

Edit access to candidates and a configured SMS provider

Use templates

Read access to SMS templates

Use the AI assistant

AI features enabled at your organization

Tips

  • Be brief. SMS is short by design — under 160 characters per message keeps it as one text.
  • Identify yourself. Candidates won’t recognize the number; start with your name or organization.
  • Don’t use SMS for sensitive content. Treat it as a quick-touch channel, not a confidential one.
  • Bulk SMS is one per candidate. Their numbers are not shared with each other.