Enable Candidates to Opt Out of WhatsApp Communications

Candidates have the flexibility to opt in or opt out of WhatsApp communications. To stop receiving WhatsApp messages, they can send a message with a STOP keyword or similar in the WhatsApp thread that they're communicating with hiring team members. To resume receiving messages, they can send a message with a START keyword or similar in the same thread.

These predefined profile options that are currently available for SMS can also be used for WhatsApp. The keywords sent by the candidate to start or stop WhatsApp messages are validated against these profile values.

Profile Options for WhatsApp Communications

Profile Option	Default Values
ORA_IRC_CAND_SMS_OPTOUT_PATTERN	STOP, STOPALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END, QUIT
ORA_IRC_CAND_SMS_OPTIN_PATTERN	START, UNSTOP

Note: This feature uses the Webhook functionality. The Webhook used for reading incoming WhatsApp messages is used for the opt-out feature as well. The configured Webhook sends all incoming messages from candidates to Oracle Recruiting, which in turn validates the messages against the opt-out profile values. If it finds a match, any new messages from Recruiting aren't sent to the respective candidates. For details about configuring the opt-out feature, see Webhook Configuration for WhatsApp Messaging Providers.

Communication Channel Preferences

When a candidate opts out, WhatsApp is removed as a preferred communication channel from the candidate's profile. If the candidate's email is verified and preferred, the email will continue to be used for communications. If it's verified but not preferred, it's set as the preferred channel and a notification is sent to the candidate about this change. A new content library template is now available for sending this notification:

Category: Candidate Opt-out Notification (ORA_CAND_OPTOUT_UPDATE_EMAIL)
Content Item Name: Email Notification To Candidate for Updated Communication Channel from WhatsApp
Code: WA_OPTOUT_CAND_COMM_PREF_UPD

In the meantime, they can also set SMS as their preferred communication channel. If the candidate sends START again to resume WhatsApp communications, it's added back as their preferred communication channel along with email.