Module 4 of 10

The First 10 Minutes After an Application

This module is the highest-leverage change most home service businesses can make. Most lose 60% of their applicants in the first 24 hours, simply by not responding fast enough.

78%

of hires go to the first employer to make contact

10 min

is the sweet spot for first response time

more likely to reach a candidate if you respond in under 5 minutes

Why this matters more than anything else

Trade candidates apply to multiple jobs at once. They are not evaluating your company versus others during a thoughtful research process. They are seeing who responds first and scheduling with whoever calls them back.

If you call back 4 hours later, they may already have a scheduled interview somewhere else. By the time you connect, they are mentally committed. You lost the hire before you had a conversation.

Text first, call second

Texts are opened 98% of the time. Calls are answered about 20% of the time on the first try. Send a text first to let the candidate know you saw their application and that you are going to call. They will pick up.

First text: immediate response

First text template (send within 5 minutes)

Hi [First Name], this is [Your Name] at [Company]. I saw your application for the [Job Title] position and I want to connect. I'll give you a call in the next few minutes. Or if you'd like to talk sooner, feel free to call or text me back. Looking forward to it.

If they do not answer your call

Voicemail script

Hi [First Name], this is [Your Name] at [Company Name]. I'm calling about your application for [Job Title]. We're actively hiring and I'd love to tell you more about the role. Give me a call back at [number] or text me anytime. Again, that's [number]. Looking forward to talking.

Follow-up if no response in 2 hours

Follow-up text (2 hours after first contact)

Hi [First Name], just following up on my earlier text about the [Job Title] position at [Company]. Are you still interested? Happy to answer any questions or just talk through the role. What's a good time to connect?

What to say in the first call

The goal of the first call is not to screen them. It is to keep them interested and schedule the next step. Keep it short: introduce yourself, confirm their interest, give them one compelling thing about the role, and book a time to talk more.

First call script (under 3 minutes)

"Hey [First Name], it's [Name] from [Company]. Thanks for applying to the [Job Title] position. Do you have a couple of minutes to talk?"

[Wait for yes]

"Great. So we're actively looking to fill this position -- we pay [$X-$Y], hours are [schedule], and you'd be working [area/setup]. Does that sound like what you're looking for?"

[If yes] "Perfect. I'd love to set up a quick call or come in to talk through the details. Would [time option 1] or [time option 2] work for you?"

⚡

QH automates this: When a new application comes in, QH sends the candidate a personalized text within 60 seconds. No matter what time of day. No matter what your team is doing. The candidate hears from you before the other 4 businesses they applied to have even seen the application.

Get every template in one pack

All the job posts, first texts, screen scripts, and checklists from the full academy — on one printable page, plus a copy to your inbox.

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