> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.heymilo.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
> Screen candidates by text message — quick, adaptive questions and follow-ups. Great for fast hiring and high response rates.
# SMS Interviews
**What you get:** Candidates are screened by text. The AI sends short questions, they reply at their pace, and you get pass/fail and a full transcript.
**SMS coverage:** HeyMilo SMS screening works with **United States and Canada** phone numbers only. **International SMS is not supported.** For candidates outside the US and Canada, use **email** or a **voice/video** interview step instead.
## When to use it
Use SMS screening when you want to:
* **Screen large volumes quickly**: Get answers from many candidates without scheduling calls.
* **Cut no-shows and slow replies**: Text gets opened and answered faster than long emails.
* **Ask simple, mobile-friendly questions**: Yes/no or numeric so they can reply in seconds.
* **Filter on must-haves first**: Disqualify early so you only invest time in qualified candidates.
* **Reach people who won’t open emails**: Especially for hourly, frontline, or high-volume roles.
**Less ideal for:** Deep skill assessment or long-form answers. Use voice/video for that.
## Before you start
* **Phone number**: Your workspace needs a number for SMS. Go to **Outreach** → **Phone Numbers** to view or add. Need one? Contact your dedicated CSM or reach out to [support@heymilo.ai](mailto:support@heymilo.ai).
* **Question plan**: Decide how many questions (e.g. 1–6; 3 is a good default). Each message has a cost, so keep it short and impactful.
## Add SMS screening
### Step 1 — Add the stage
In **Interview Stages**, add **SMS Screening**. Click the SMS Screening card to open setup.
### Step 2 — Quick setup and configuration
Control how the SMS agent runs:
* **Prompt version**: V1 (legacy) or **V3 (recommended)** — V3 has custom messages, multilingual, and better nudges.
* **Number of questions**: 1–6; **3 recommended**. Fewer = faster replies and less drop-off.
* **Enforce Required Qualifications**: **ON** = candidates can be auto-disqualified. **OFF** = SMS is informational only. Turn **ON** if you want SMS to filter.
### Step 3 — Customize candidate messages
Control how SMS feels to candidates:
* **Intro message**: First text they get. Use `{{name}}`, `{{interviewer_name}}`, `{{company_name}}`, `{{job_title}}`. Example: *“Hi `{{name}}`! I’m `{{interviewer_name}}` from `{{company_name}}`. Thanks for applying — can I ask a few quick questions about the `{{job_title}}` role?”*
* **Disqualification message**: Sent when they fail a knockout. Customize or let AI decide.
* **Follow-up message**: Nudge when they haven’t replied.
* **Call invitation message**: Sent to qualified candidates to move them to phone or web interview.
You can toggle **AI-generated messages** on or off for more or less control.
### Step 4 — Context (optional)
Add shared context so the AI asks better follow-ups and keeps tone right. Options: Company info, role details, hiring process, interview style. Not shown verbatim to candidates.
### Step 5 — Nudge and timing settings
Protect candidate experience and compliance:
* **Cooldown period**: How long to wait before nudging (e.g. 24 hours).
* **Maximum nudges**: How many follow-ups (e.g. 3).
* **Blackout period**: Time window when messages are **not** sent. Important for compliance, time zones, and trust.
### Step 6 — Questions and scoring
HeyMilo generates a baseline set of SMS questions. Edit, delete, or add your own.
* **Question types:** **Yes/No** and **Numeric** only — keep it short so candidates reply fast.
* **Required qualifications (dealbreakers)**: Mark questions as knockouts for work authorization, shift availability, certifications, years of experience. If enforced, failures are auto-disqualified.
**Tip:** Each message costs money and long flows increase drop-off. Keep questions short, mobile-friendly, and relevant. Use SMS early, then hand off to resume or voice/video if you need more depth.
### Step 7 — Test before going live
Check how questions are asked, how nudges behave, and how disqualifications trigger.
### Step 8 — Activate and add other stages
When SMS is ready, activate the interviewer. You can add form, resume, or voice/video as other stages — do it before candidates interact (or duplicate the agent and add stages in the new copy). SMS often works best as the **first** step; only qualified candidates move on.
### Step 9 — Review SMS results
Results appear in each candidate’s profile under **SMS Evaluation**:
* **SMS Score**: Pass/fail, which questions were met or failed, dealbreaker outcomes, eligibility for next steps.
* **SMS Transcription**: Full thread, exact responses, timestamps. You can also continue messaging the candidate from this tab.
Together you get both the **decision** (pass/fail) and the **context** (full conversation).
## Things to remember
* **Keep questions short**: SMS is for quick filter questions, not long descriptions. Save depth for voice/video.
* **Yes/No or numeric only**: SMS doesn’t support long answers. You get fast replies and clear pass/fail.
* **Set expectations in the question**: Add “(Yes/No)” or “(Provide a number)” at the end so candidates know what to send. Fewer processing issues and clearer answers.
* **Each question has a cost**: More questions = more messages. Keep the flow intentional.
## Fast-track a candidate past SMS
Sometimes you've already qualified a candidate elsewhere — a sourcing call, a referral, an in-person event — and you don't need them to go through SMS screening before the voice interview. The **Skip SMS** action sends them straight to the next stage.
**How:**
1. Open the interviewer → **Candidates**.
2. Find the candidate → click the **⋯ (three dots)** on their row.
3. Select **Skip SMS** → confirm.
The candidate gets the **voice interview link** by email (their "magic link") and can start right away. Anyone you don't fast-track keeps following the normal SMS → voice flow.
**Good to know:**
* Only the candidates you fast-track skip SMS. Everyone else moves through the usual pipeline.
* They'll still appear on your Candidates page with their voice interview status.
## Next steps
* [Outreach → Phone Numbers](../../outreach/outreach/phone-numbers) — Set up your SMS number
* [Voice/Video Interviews](voice-interviews) — Add a voice or video stage after SMS