How the WhatsApp bot works
When a candidate messages your company's WhatsApp number, the bot responds automatically. It handles the initial interaction — sending a reply, collecting basic information, asking screening questions, and confirming the application — without any recruiter intervention needed.
The bot uses your approved WhatsApp templates to communicate, so every message it sends has already been reviewed and approved by Meta.
What the bot handles automatically
Sending an initial reply when a candidate messages in
Confirming receipt of an application
Asking pre-screening questions based on the job
Sending status updates as the candidate moves through the pipeline
Sending interview invitations and confirmations
Notifying candidates of offers or rejections
The 24-hour service window
When a candidate sends a message, a 24-hour service window opens. During this window, all replies — automated bot responses and free-form messages from recruiters — are free of charge.
Once the 24-hour window closes, any outbound message must use an approved template and is charged at Meta's messaging rates. See Understanding WhatsApp Message Costs.
Bot language settings
The bot communicates in the language set for each WhatsApp number. If you have two numbers — one for blue collar (Arabic) and one for white collar (English) — each bot operates in its configured language independently. Languages are set up with your Recruitera account manager.
Turn on WhatsApp for a job
The bot only engages candidates for jobs where WhatsApp applications are enabled. You control this per job:
Open the job — when creating a new one or editing an existing one
Go to the Application step
In the Application preferences section, turn on Apply with WhatsApp
Jobs with the switch off don't appear in the WhatsApp hiring flow — candidates who message in are not routed to those roles.
Monitoring bot conversations
Every conversation the bot handles is logged against the candidate's record. Open a candidate and go to their WhatsApp tab to read the full history. The header shows whether the bot is currently active or paused for that conversation, and flags Needs handover when the bot decides a human should step in.
See Taking Over a Conversation for what to do next.