Once you've reviewed an application, shortlist or decline it. Applicants are notified either way, so no one is left hanging.
Shortlisting ✅
Like what you see? Shortlist them!
Add a personal message: say why you're keen and what happens next. This is where your company’s default message also shows up.
They move to your Shortlist tab, and the applicant is notified.
You get their contact details: their phone number and email are shared with you so you can arrange next steps.
People you invite from the Community to a direct hire job join your shortlist once they accept.
Declining ❌
Not the right fit? Decline the application.
Send a custom message if you'd like to give context.
Or skip it, and Hatch sends a standard response or your set default decline message, so they still hear back.
⚠️ Shortlisting and declining can't be undone. You can't move someone back once they're shortlisted or declined, and you can't decline someone you've already shortlisted. If your plans change, reach out to them directly through chat or their contact details.
💡 Set your default messages once. Click the … on your job and select Message settings to change the default shortlist and decline messages for that job. Use {{firstName}} and {{companyName}} to personalise them. Learn more
Starring and bulk actions ⚡
Star applicants who look interesting before you decide.
Bulk actions: respond to lots of applicants at once, so a busy job doesn't pile up.
How to trigger bulk actions
In your Applications tab, click Select (top right, next to the number of results).
Tick the box next to each applicant, or use Select all.
In the bar at the bottom of the page, click Shortlist, or use the icons to archive, star or decline them.
The bar shows how many applicants you've selected. Click Clear to start again, or Cancel to stop selecting.
After you shortlist: contact details and chat 💬
Once someone's on your shortlist, use their contact details or Hatch chat to organise an interview.
Chat opens as soon as you shortlist someone, with your shortlist message as the first message in the thread. From there, hiring managers and recruiters on the job can message them whenever they like, and the applicant can reply. See Chatting with applicants.
Found the right person?
Student jobs: send them an offer straight from their application. See Making an offer.
Direct hire jobs: make your offer through your own process.