TL;DR: Before using the GoodTime Autopilot feature to to send USA-based candidates SMS/Text Messages you need to ensure you comply with the US Government's anti-SMS SPAM regulations. Don't stress... it sounds more difficult to achieve than it actually is.
To meet the USA 'A2P 10DLC' regulations you simply need to provide candidates an opportunity to Opt-in/Opt-out of SMS engagement. This is commonly achieved though the inclusion of a customer question within the application process and a note on your first SMS engagement with a candiate.
Opt-In/Opt-Out directly via SMS:
NOTE: This process is automatically built into all SMS/Text Message communications that GoodTime sends on your behalf.
When you first engage a prospect or candidate via SMS we recommend you include a single line of text indicating that they can:
"Reply STOP to opt out of future SMS messages"
By including the above text in your initial SMS Message the prospect/candidate that you engage is informed of how to Opt-Out of SMS messages should they wish to. When a prospect/candiate replies "STOP" then GoodTime will register this response and flag it within GoodTime as well as block your scheduling team from engaging that specific prospect/candidate via SMS moving forward.
Opt-In/Opt-Out via Job Application:
NOTE: This process can be automated via Greenhouse ATS only, but is still recommended for all other ATS as a means of collecting consent.
Add a 'required' custom question within your application process where you ask a prospective candidate:
"Do you consent to being engaged via SMS/Text Message? Y/N"
If you are a Greenhouse ATS user GoodTime will be able to recognize if your candiate has agreed to Opt-In or Opt-Out of SMS communications via this custom question and will display this within GoodTime. For other ATS it is still a best practice to ask this question within your application process; however, GoodTime is currently unable to automatically recognize this candidate response to this application questions and as such your scheduling team should manually reference the candidates ATS profile before engaging them via SMS.
For Greenhouse users only; Follow these steps when creating your custom SMS Opt-in/Opt-out application question so that GoodTime is able to recognize it:
1) Create the custom field for the question to be called 'CONSENT_TO_SMS'
2) Create a custom question within the job application
3) link the custom question to the previously created custom field on the candidate profile.
4) By establishing your custom field and question in this with (within Greenhouse ATS only) GoodTime will be able to see your candidate's response to this question and allow/block SMS engagement as needed.
NOTE:
- If you have built automated SMS-based workflows and a candidate opts-out of receiving SMS messages within one of these workflows GoodTime will automatically adjust to sending any remaining communications within the automated workflow via email.