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What are WhatsApp templates?
Every message sent outside of a candidate-initiated conversation on WhatsApp must use a pre-approved template. This is a requirement from META — not Recruitera. Templates must be reviewed and approved by META before you can use them.
You create and manage all your templates directly from your Recruitera account.
Template categories
When creating a template, you'll choose one of three categories:
Utility — for transactional and process-related messages. Use this for application status updates, interview confirmations, offer notifications, and rejection messages. These are the most common templates for hiring.
Marketing — for outreach messages you initiate. Use this for job alerts, talent pool re-engagement, and bulk outreach campaigns.
Authentication — for one-time passcodes and verification codes. Not typically needed for hiring workflows.
Important: Choose your category carefully. Marketing templates cost significantly more per message than Utility templates. Always use Utility for status updates and process communications, and reserve Marketing for outreach campaigns only.
How to create a template
Go to Settings in your Recruitera account
Click Templates in the left sidebar
Select WhatsApp Templates
Click Create template
Enter a template name — use lowercase letters and underscores only (e.g.
interview_confirmation)Select the type — Message or Interview
Select the language — Arabic or English
Select the category — Utility, Marketing, or Authentication
Write your message body in the text field
Use merge tags to personalize — click the available tags below the text field to insert
candidate_name,{{job_title}}, or{{company_name}}Click Submit for review
Using merge tags
Merge tags let you personalize each message automatically. The following tags are available:
candidate_name— inserts the candidate's first name{{job_title}}— inserts the job title they applied for{{company_name}}— inserts your company name
Note: Variables cannot appear at the very start or end of a template body. Make sure your message begins and ends with regular text.
After you submit
Your template will show a Pending status while META reviews it. Once approved, it will show Approved and become available to use in your WhatsApp Hiring flows. See the next article for more on approval timelines.