A US number for recruiters with US candidates

Why call US candidates from a US number?

Calling back an international number can cost a candidate money, or simply feel unfamiliar. A +1 number is an ordinary call for them, and a hiring manager can save it like any other US contact. When you call out from the app, the person you call sees your US number.

The TripoSIM US Virtual Number runs in an app on your phone over Wi-Fi or mobile data, wherever your desk is. Calls ring like normal calls, and candidates who call while you are offline can leave a voicemail.

Who is the number for?

It is for one recruiter who makes and answers their own calls. That fits an independent recruiter, a small agency where each recruiter has their own number, or a sourcer who calls candidates for a US client. One person can have more than one TripoSIM number on one account, each with its own plan, minutes and voicemail, for example a separate line for each client desk. Each person needs their own short ID check with a photo ID and selfie.

It is for personal and small-business use only. Spam, robocalls and call centres are not allowed. Do not connect it to an autodialer or power dialer, and do not share one number across a team. Call people who expect to hear from you, such as candidates who applied or agreed to be contacted, and follow the calling rules that apply to you.

How many minutes does a recruiting desk use?

Only calls you make use your 300 minutes to the US and Canada. Each outgoing call is rounded up to the next full minute; unanswered calls are free. Three typical desks, worked out for a year:

Incoming calls do not use your minutes (fair use 300 minutes a month). Each plan includes 300 minutes a month out; extra minutes are $5 per 100, and unused extra minutes carry over to the next month, so the year counts the packs for all 12 months together. Prices before tax.

The first desk fits inside the plan. The second goes a little over each month, so it needs extra minute packs across the year. The third uses well over twice the included minutes every month. At that volume a business phone system built for outbound calling is the better tool. The monthly plan is $12.99 with the same minutes. Try your own numbers in the cost calculator.

Do candidate call-backs use minutes?

No. Calls to you are included up to a fair use of 300 minutes a month, separate from your outgoing minutes. Count them on their own; do not add the two together.

Voicemail takes messages of up to 2 minutes, up to 30 a month, kept 30 days. If many candidates call back while you sleep, that monthly limit can run out, so return calls daily.

Can candidates text you back?

They can text the number, and you will see the text in the app. You cannot answer from it, because sending texts is not included. Plan your outreach around that:

• In outreach emails, ask candidates to call or email, not text.
• Send scheduling links by email or through the job platform.
• Check incoming texts each day and answer by email or a call.

The number receives texts from US and Canadian senders. Read more on receiving texts on a US number.

How should you set the number up?

1. Pick an area code your candidates recognize, such as New York 212. See the area code list.
2. Record a greeting with your name, your agency, and when you call back in US time.
3. Put your hours in a US time zone in your signature. US clocks change on different dates from Europe's (NIST), so check the US time-zone clock before you book.
4. Allow notifications and the microphone. TripoSIM says calls then ring even when the app is closed.
5. Test before you call anyone. The ten-check test covers calls in and out, a locked screen and voicemail.
6. Log calls in your applicant tracking system, not only on the phone.

Should you say where you are based?

Yes. A US number does not change where you or your agency are. Introduce yourself plainly: "I'm a recruiter with a staffing agency in Manila, hiring for a client in Chicago." Do not suggest a US office you do not have, and say who the employer is when you can.

When is another option better?

• You need to text candidates: the TripoSIM number receives texts only. A provider with two-way texting suits you better; see providers compared.
• Several recruiters share one line, or you use a dialer: call centres are not allowed. A business phone system built for teams suits that.
• You call well past 300 minutes every month: like the full desk above, a plan built for outbound volume will fit better.
• Candidates outside the US and Canada: calls out go to US and Canadian numbers only. Anyone can still call your number.