Application via WhatsApp: Upgrade for your recruiting

Corporate communications have changed dramatically in recent years, and WhatsApp has long since established itself as an important component. But did you know that your HR department can also benefit from this popular messaging platform?

In today's digitized world, the use of messaging services is playing an increasingly important role in communication between companies and applicants. Applying via WhatsApp in particular has become a popular and efficient way to simplify the application process. Companies looking for new talent are increasingly recognizing the advantages of this modern form of application.

Using WhatsApp as a recruitment tool offers companies a variety of ways to effectively reach applicants and streamline the application process. By integrating WhatsApp into the recruitment process, companies can save time, speed up communication and increase efficiency. And modern application processes are especially appreciated by the younger generation. This makes your company look directly more modern and innovative to applicants than other companies with a conventional application process.

In this article, you will learn how applications via WhatsApp work, what is important in this application process and what advantages this offers both companies and your applicants.

‍

WhatsApp Recruiting: The advantages of applying via WhatsApp

The application process via WhatsApp offers numerous advantages for both sides. It enables easy contact, a quick exchange via chat and uncomplicated sending of application documents. The direct dialog also creates a personal atmosphere throughout the application process. Generation Z in particular, which is the focus of many companies, prefers mobile and digital options for applying. That's why it's important to move away from traditional contact forms and lengthy online questionnaires and use modern channels like WhatsApp.
‍

Advantages of WhatsApp applications — Thanks to WhatsApp, you will be able to fill your vacancies quickly and efficiently and beat the competition.

Applying via WhatsApp offers companies a number of benefits that make the application process more efficient and user-friendly. Some of these advantages are explained in more detail below:

‍

Fast and direct communication: By using WhatsApp as an application channel, companies can communicate directly and in real time with applicants. Messages can be sent and received quickly, resulting in accelerated communication. On WhatsApp, applicants tend to reply to messages much faster than they do with emails or applicant portals. This allows for effective coordination of appointments, queries or quick updates on application status.

‍

Easy transmission of documents: WhatsApp enables the uncomplicated transmission of application documents such as CV, cover letter and certificates. Applicants can simply send their documents as attachments in the chat conversation, without annoying online portals with technical errors or postal deliveries. This simplifies the process for applicants and makes it easier for companies to organize and manage incoming applications.

‍

Uncomplicated appointment scheduling: Applying via WhatsApp allows companies and applicants to quickly and easily arrange appointments for interviews or other selection processes. Direct communication means that queries or changes to appointments can be clarified quickly, resulting in efficient scheduling and speeding up the application process.

‍

Flexibility and mobile use: Since WhatsApp is a mobile messaging platform, applicants can send applications anytime and anywhere via their smartphone or with WhatsApp Web via their laptop or tablet. This allows greater flexibility for applicants as they are not tied to fixed working hours or office locations. Companies benefit from a wider applicant reach and can reach potential candidates more easily.
‍

Advantages of WhatsApp in applicant management — WhatsApp offers many advantages in applicant management

‍

Data protection & application via WhatsApp: Observe GDPR

In terms of data protection, companies face a challenge: Both the private version of WhatsApp and the WhatsApp Business app are not GDPR-compliant and therefore not recommended for business purposes, especially when dealing with personal data such as a job application. The only privacy-compliant solution for mobile recruiting via WhatsApp is the WhatsApp Business API. Only by using this API interface can companies make the application process legally compliant and ensure the protection of personal data. In addition, you avoid the warnings, severe penalties and expensive legal costs against you and your company that often occur in the event of non-compliance with the GDPR.

‍

How to receive applications via WhatsApp

To make it as easy as possible for potential applicants to get in touch, various options should be available. One option is to integrate WhatsApp into the company website via a web chat so that interested parties can send messages or ask questions directly. Another option is to add a WhatsApp link or a WhatsApp QR code to the job posting.

By the way: We have integrated a handy tool on our website that allows you to create a WhatsApp link and a WhatsApp QR code in seconds. Try it out here!

By using a QR code or a WhatsApp link, applicants are taken directly to the chat with your company. You can even store pre-formulated messages that contain, for example, the data of the respective position. This data is then automatically sent to your company by the applicants.

‍

Application via WhatsApp: Tips for companies

WhatsApp links for applications can be used not only in job ads, but also in Facebook Ads or other advertisements. Many innovative companies already use so-called click-to-chat or click-to-WhatsApp ads on Facebook and thus raise your application process to a higher level.

To help companies maximize the potential of applying for jobs via WhatsApp, there are a few best practices to keep in mind. Here are some recommendations to make the application process smooth and effective:

‍
‍Setting upa professional WhatsApp account: Companies should set up a dedicated WhatsApp account for the application process. This ensures a clear separation between business communication and personal contacts. It is important to ensure that the account is professionally designed and has a clear company profile. You can easily do this with Mateo and the WhatsApp API interface.

‍
‍Use ofautomatic replies and message templates: Automatic replies and message templates can help to simplify the exchange and save working time. Message templates with information about the job offer can be integrated into the click-to-WhatsApp link or QR code of the job in question, giving your HR department a unique match and saving your applicants paperwork. Once a new application is received, an automated response can be sent to notify the applicant that the application materials have been received and, if applicable, point out other important documents. WhatsApp templates can be used along the entire recruiting process and facilitate communication.

‍

Hier ein Beispiel für eine WhatsApp Vorlage im Recruiting:
‍
‍"Hallo {{ Vorname }},

wir haben Ihre Bewerbung erhalten und beginnen nun mit der Bearbeitung der Unterlagen. Wir werden uns in Kürze bei Ihnen melden.

Mit besten Grüßen aus {{ Unternehmensstandort }},
{{ Mitarbeitername }}, {{ Unternehmensname }}"

‍

Establish clear communication guidelines: Companies should develop clear guidelines for communication via WhatsApp in the application process. This includes, for example, the language and tone of messages, the appropriate response time, and the type of information that can be shared via WhatsApp. Clearly defined guidelines ensure consistent and professional communication.

Ensure data protection and confidentiality: Companies should ensure that data protection regulations are complied with and that sensitive applicant data is protected. Therefore, companies should refrain from using the normal WhatsApp business app and make sure to use the WhatsApp API interface.

Effective communication: Companies should write clear and precise messages to avoid misunderstandings. It is important to mention all the necessary information, such as the application process, the required documents or the next steps. Companies should also pay attention to friendly and professional communication to provide a positive experience for applicants.

By following these tips, companies can make the application process via WhatsApp efficient and professional. This enables effective communication with applicants and optimized selection of potential candidates.

‍

Start application process via WhatsApp with Mateo

In order to effectively use WhatsApp as a recruiting channel, Mateo is a good choice. Mateo enables communication not only with customers but also with applicants via the WhatsApp Business API. Mateo exclusively uses German server locations and continuously adapts the software to changing data protection regulations in order to be able to guarantee 100% GDPR compliance. With many useful features such as message templates, automatic replies and text modules, communication via Mateo is highly efficient and saves valuable working time. Mateo supports the sending and receiving of many different file types and has integrated internal contact management.

‍

Mateo's software has a lot to offer. Our customers particularly appreciate the following features:

‍

Central user interface

In addition to WhatsApp Business API, Mateo bundles many other communication channels such as email, Instagram, SMS or Facebook Messenger in a central inbox. On the intuitive and clear user interface, you will find various helpful tools for particularly efficient customer communication. A web widget with the messaging channels you support is available for your customers for particularly easy contact.

‍

With Mateo's WhatsApp API solution, newsletters can be sent in a GDPR-compliant manner. Due to the first-class open rate of 98% for WhatsApp messages, marketing can thus be carried out significantly better than via email or other channels.

‍

Custom Message Templates

Thanks to various message templates that can be created individually, the amount of paperwork is minimized and the efficiency of customer communication is increased. This means that personnel resources in the service area can be deployed elsewhere.

‍

More positive Google reviews

With Mateo, you create an outstanding customer experience. Mateo can automatically request online reviews from your customers. The more reviews you have, the better you will be found on Google, for example. Reviews also create trust in your company.

‍

Privacy

Mateo's messaging tool is compatible with all German and European legally binding data protection requirements. If the law changes, the software will be revised accordingly. For absolutely secure customer communication, all messages are encrypted end-to-end. You can read all the info about the GDPR when using WhatsApp in our article"WhatsApp Business and GDPR". This will help you avoid the warnings, severe penalties and expensive legal costs that often occur in the event of non-compliance with the GDPR (= use of the standard WhatsApp Business app).

‍

Scalability for all company sizes

The scalability of the messaging tool has been confirmed by the large number of companies already using Mateo with a high level of satisfaction. Whether customers have just a few employees or many hundreds, the software works smoothly and, depending on the package, with an unlimited number of end devices, users and phone numbers. The fact that Mateo significantly reduces the workload in the customer service area opens up new growth opportunities for many companies.

‍

Low cost provider for WhatsApp Business API

With an entry-level price of just 79 euros per month, Mateo is a cost-effective provider for WhatsApp Business API solutions on the German market. Combined with the integration of additional communication channels and various helpful tools, Mateo offers excellent value for money. Mateo's personal customer support assists companies with every step of the integration, ensuring very low barriers to entry.

‍

Would you like to learn more about how you can use WhatsApp as an applicant channel? Or do you have questions about the WhatsApp Business API? Contact us easily and without obligation via WhatsApp (activate cookies and use the button at the bottom right) or arrange a demo directly with one of our messaging experts.

‍

Application via WhatsApp: The modern way to contact us