Applicant Tracking Email Placeholders

The article provides guidance on adding placeholders to emails within BambooHR's Applicant Tracking System. It emphasizes the purpose of placeholders in streamlining communication with candidates. The content includes a table of contents outlining steps such as creating a new email, accessing a candidate's profile, and utilizing email templates. Users can insert placeholders by selecting them from a list or dragging them into the email message. The article also lists available placeholders, including candidate names, sender details, and job information. It advises users to personalize subject lines and mentions the option to add additional information if specific placeholders are unavailable. This resource serves to enhance the efficiency of email correspondence in the hiring process.

  • Apr 24, 2026
  • Knowledge

Title
Applicant Tracking Email Placeholders
Article Text
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How do I add placeholders to an email?

Purpose: Adding placeholders in your email correspondence with candidates helps you streamline your communication process. This help guide will teach you how to use placeholders to add basic information when emailing a candidate.

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Table of Contents

Create a new email

You can use placeholders, or merge fields, to add basic information to an email message in BambooHR's Applicant Tracking System. You can add placeholders when creating a new message or email template from the following locations:

1. A candidate's profile
Screenshot of a candidate profile named [Employee Name]. The Emails tab is active, showing a previous email conversation. On the right side of the tab, a button labeled New Email is outlined in orange. The top panel includes navigation options such as Candidate Info, Notes, and Emails (2).
2. The candidate overview table
Screenshot of the Account Executive job opening with a table listing two candidates: [Employee Name] and [Employee Name]. Columns include Status, Rating, Applied, and Last Email. The candidate row menu is expanded on the right, showing options Add a Comment and Send Email. The option area is outlined in orange.
3. Settings
Screenshot of the Hiring settings menu with Email Templates selected in the sidebar. The main panel displays a list of template names such as Application Confirmation Email, Phone Conversation Request, and Invitation to In-Person Interview. A New Template button at the top is outlined in orange.

Placeholders

Screenshot of the Edit Email Template screen for Phone Conversation Request. The email editor shows a subject line field and a message body where the placeholder Candidate First Name is inserted. On the right, the Email Placeholders panel lists options such as Candidate First Name, Candidate Last Name, Sender First Name, and Sender Last Name. An orange outline highlights the Candidate First Name placeholder.

When creating an email message or email template, you will notice a list of available placeholders on the right. You can add a placeholder to your message in two ways:

1. Move your cursor to the correct place in the message and click the appropriate placeholder.

2. Click on the selected placeholder and drag it to the desired place in your message.

Once you add the placeholders to your message, the information for these fields will auto-populate when the message sends. Note that you can personalize the subject line of your message with placeholders.

Do not forget that if the placeholder you are looking for is not available, you can always add whatever you need to the offer letter before sending it to your candidate.

What placeholders are available for Hiring email templates?

Available placeholders include:

  • Candidate - First Name
  • Candidate - Last Name
  • Sender - First Name
  • Sender - Last Name
  • Sender - Phone
  • Sender - Extension
  • Sender - Job Title
  • Hiring Lead - First Name
  • Hiring Lead - Last Name
  • Hiring Lead - Phone Number
  • Hiring Lead - Extension
  • Hiring Lead - Job Title
  • Job Opening Name
  • Job Location
  • Job Department
  • Job Link (links to the job opening on your careers website)
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