Free HR tool · No sign-up
WhatsApp Recruiting Messages
What should I send a candidate on WhatsApp?
Step 1 · Message
Step 2 · Details
Step 3 · Send
Used only in your browser to open the message — never sent to us.
WHATSAPP MESSAGE · First contact
English264 characters · 5 [placeholders] to fill
No number entered — WhatsApp will ask who to send it to.
Message people one by one, on working days, and stop if they ask you to. No bulk or unsolicited broadcasts.
How the WhatsApp messages work
Pick the message you need and fill in the candidate's name, role, company and the details that message uses (a date and place for interviews, a document list, a next step). The preview updates as you type and keeps WhatsApp formatting — the role and interview time in bold. Add the candidate's mobile with the country code and 'Open in WhatsApp' starts the chat with the text filled in; you review it and press send.
- wa.me link
- WhatsApp's click-to-chat link that opens a chat with a number and pre-filled text.
- *Bold*
- WhatsApp formatting: text between asterisks shows in bold.
- Country code
- UAE +971, Saudi Arabia +966, Qatar +974, Kuwait +965, Bahrain +973, Oman +968.
Which message to send when
| Message | Send it when | What it asks for |
|---|---|---|
| First contact | You've found a promising profile | A short call this week |
| Interview invitation | The candidate passed screening | Confirm the slot or suggest another |
| Documents request | You need papers to move forward | CV, certificates or copies, by reply or email |
| Follow-up | No reply after a few working days | Interest, with an offer to share the salary range |
| Next steps | The hiring manager wants to proceed | Be ready for your call at the stated time |
| Not selected | You've chosen another candidate | Nothing — a respectful close |
Messaging etiquette
- Message people one by one. No bulk or unsolicited broadcasts.
- Don't ask for passport, Emirates ID or iqama numbers in chat — use a secure upload for documents.
- Keep a record of what you sent in your ATS so the whole team sees the history.
Data Sources
More outreach templates
Use the recruiting SMS templates for candidates who aren't on WhatsApp, the Arabic recruiting messages for Arabic-first outreach, and the follow-up sequence to plan your next touches.
Frequently asked questions
Is it OK to contact candidates on WhatsApp in the Gulf?
Yes — WhatsApp is the everyday business channel across the GCC, and candidates often prefer it to email. Keep it professional: message only numbers the candidate shared with you or published for work, introduce yourself and your company in the first line, and stop if they ask you to. Unsolicited bulk broadcasts are against WhatsApp's business policy and can get your number blocked.
What time should I send recruiting messages on WhatsApp?
During working days and hours. The UAE works Monday to Friday (since 2022); Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman work Sunday to Thursday. Avoid prayer times, late evenings and weekends, and during Ramadan keep away from the hours around iftar.
How does the 'Open in WhatsApp' button work?
It builds a wa.me click-to-chat link with your message pre-filled. If you enter the candidate's number with the country code (for example +971 50 123 4567), WhatsApp opens that chat; without a number, it opens WhatsApp so you can pick the contact. You still press send yourself. The number is used only in your browser and never sent to us.
Should I use WhatsApp formatting?
Lightly. WhatsApp shows text between asterisks in bold, so the templates bold the role and the interview time — the two things a candidate scans for. Avoid long paragraphs and many emoji; a recruiting message should read like a short note from a person.
Can I send the message in Arabic?
Yes. Choose Arabic or Both. For an Arabic-first set with formal greetings and wording for male or female candidates, use the Arabic recruiting messages tool.
Every week this role stays open costs you. Post it free today.
Post the job on MenaJobs free in about 2 minutes. We review every post, and once approved it reaches job seekers across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman.
Post a job freeMore free HR tools
Recruiting SMS Templates
Short recruiting SMS in English and Arabic with a live SMS-part counter.
Open toolArabic Recruiting Messages
Arabic-first recruiting messages with correct male/female wording and English alongside.
Open toolInterview Invitation Email
An interview invitation for in-person, video or phone interviews, in English and Arabic.
Open toolRecruiting Follow-up Sequence
Four-touch follow-up sequence for candidates who haven't replied, in English and Arabic.
Open toolCandidate Rejection Email
A kind, clear rejection email for any role, in English and Arabic.
Open tool