WhatsApp AI agent for recruiters: screen candidates, brief clients, book interviews, keep the decisions human
A job ad generates hundreds of WhatsApp messages, most asking the same things: is the role still open, what is the salary range, where is it, how do I apply. A recruiter answering them by hand is not recruiting. An AI agent answers, collects the candidate's details and CV, checks published requirements, and books the interview. It never decides.
Quick answer
Put a WhatsApp AI agent on your agency's number with open roles as published (title, location, salary range, requirements, shift), the application process and interview logistics as knowledge. It answers candidate and client questions, collects candidate details and CVs, notes which published requirements are met, and books interviews. It never rejects, ranks or judges a candidate, and never handles offers or client fees; those stay with recruiters. ReplyKit does this from $29 a month.
What the agent handles
Automate
- Open roles as published: title, location, salary range, requirements, shifts, start date. Updated as roles close.
- The application process, documents, and interview logistics.
- Candidate details: name, contact, current role, experience, availability, CV file, saved to the lead's card.
- A note of which published requirements the candidate says they meet, for the recruiter to verify.
- Interview booking into recruiter availability, with a reminder.
- Client enquiries: services, process, typical timelines, saved for the account manager.
- Replies in the candidate's language.
Keep with a person
- Any decision: shortlisting, rejection, ranking. The agent collects; recruiters decide.
- Offers, salary negotiation and contracts.
- Client fees and terms.
- Work permits, visas and anything about a specific candidate's legal status beyond published requirements.
Why the agent never rejects
Automated rejection is unfair, often unlawful, and bad for the agency's reputation. Instruct the agent that every candidate is thanked, has their details recorded, and is told a recruiter will review; requirements are noted, not enforced. Personal data is collected only for the application, in line with the PDPA. Our Acceptable Use Policy forbids using the agent to make decisions about people that the law requires a human to make.
Setup for an agency
- Use a dedicated number. ReplyKit connects your number through Meta's official WhatsApp Business Platform: keep the number you already use in the WhatsApp Business app and the agent works alongside it, or add a dedicated number. Personal WhatsApp numbers cannot be connected. Keep your long-standing number out of it; see Meta's messaging limits explained
- Write open roles as published, one block per role, and remove them as they close.
- Instruct the candidate intake and the never-reject rule.
- Add interviews as a service with recruiter availability.
- Connect the number through Meta's sign-in and test as an underqualified candidate. It must record and thank, not reject.
Frequently asked questions
Can the agent screen candidates?
It collects details and notes which published requirements the candidate says they meet. It never rejects, ranks or decides; recruiters do.
Can candidates send CVs through it?
Yes. Files sent on WhatsApp stay on the conversation and the lead's card.
Does it know which roles are open?
From the role list you update as roles close.
Can it book interviews?
Yes, into recruiter availability with a reminder.
How much does it cost?
From $29 a month for one number and 1,000 replies. High-volume agencies use the $49 or $99 plans.
Collect a hundred applications without reading a hundred chats
Roles as published, candidate intake, interview slots, connect your number through Meta's sign-in. 7-day free trial.
Sources and further reading
- ReplyKit Acceptable Use Policy · what we refuse to automate
- Personal Data Protection Department, Malaysia (PDPA 2010)
- Harvard Business Review, The Short Life of Online Sales Leads (Oldroyd, McElheran, Elkington, 2011) · firms that responded within an hour were about seven times more likely to qualify the lead
- ReplyKit, Will WhatsApp ban my number for automation? · how Meta's messaging limits and quality rating work
ReplyKit is an independent product and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Meta or WhatsApp. This article is general guidance for agency administration, not legal advice. Employment, equality and data protection laws in your country take precedence.