In the fast-paced world of recruitment, efficiency is key. One way to streamline your workflow is by automating routine tasks, such as sending "Thanks But No Thanks" (TBNT) emails to candidates who are not moving forward in the hiring process. This guide will walk you through setting up an API trigger to automatically send a TBNT email when a candidate's status is updated to something like: "Not Qualified" or "Not Selected." This can save you time, ensure prompt communication with candidates, and improve your overall candidate experience.


Warning: API actions should only be performed by individuals who are familiar with these protocols, as improper use can lead to problems. If you are not confident with APIs, please contact our Support Team, who can help set up these Triggers for you.


Please see What is an Open API and How Do I Use It? for information on obtaining your API keys.


Step-by-Step Instructions

Platform Recommendation: We recommend using Postman to set up and test your API triggers due to its user-friendly interface and powerful features. But any API platform will get the job done!


Step 1: Open Postman

  1. Download and install Postman if you haven't already.
  2. Open the Postman application.


Step 2: Create a New Request

  1. Click on "New" and select "Request".
  2. Name your request (e.g., "Trigger - Send TBNT When Status Updated") and save it to a relevant collection or folder.


Step 3: Set Up the Request

  1. Select the API Verb: Choose "POST" from the dropdown menu.
  2. Request URL: Enter https://api.applicant-tracking.com/api/v1/triggers in the URL field.


Step 4: Configure the Request Body

  1. After entering your credentials, and selecting Basic Auth for the Auth Type,
  2. Select the "Body" tab.
  3. Choose the "Raw" option and then select "JSON" from the dropdown menu.
  4. Copy and paste the following JSON into the body:
    1. {
      "event_type": "app_status_updated",
      "action_type": "send_tbnt_email",
      "data": { 
        "delay": 0
      },
      "conditions": {
        "if": {
            "and": {
                "==": [{ "app": "status" }, "ENTER STATUS HERE" ]
            }
        }
      }
    }
  5. Replace "ENTER STATUS HERE" with the specific status that should trigger the TBNT email (e.g., "Not Qualified" or "Not Selected"). The status is case-sensitive and must match the Status as it is listed in the ATS or this will fail. 


    Step 5: Send the Request

    1. Double-check your request details.
    2. Click on the "Send" button.
    3. Monitor the response to ensure the trigger is set up correctly.


By following these steps, you can automate the process of sending TBNT emails, ensuring efficient and respectful communication with your candidates.


Please see Send a TBNT Email when Applicant Status is Updated in our ATS Anywhere API Documentation for more technical details.