> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.join.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.join.com/candidates-and-applications/spontaneous-applications.md). # Spontaneous Applications Explore how to enable spontaneous applications, let candidates apply without a specific job, and manage these profiles in your Talent Pool for future roles. The spontaneous application feature in JOIN allows candidates to express interest in your company even when you don't have a relevant job opening available. It helps you build a [Talent Pool](/candidates-and-applications/talent-pool.md) of potential future hires by letting candidates submit their applications proactively. When this feature is enabled, JOIN automatically adds a `Spontaneous Application` job card to the bottom of the `Open positions` list on your public career page. To see how it looks to applicants, click your name in the bottom-left corner, select `Settings`, then select `Career page` and click the `View` button.

If, for example, you currently have five jobs published, the spontaneous application card will appear as the sixth job in the list. It gives candidates an open invitation to apply to your company without needing to match a specific role. This job card is visible to all visitors browsing your live career page.

*** ## Enable or disable spontaneous applications To manage this feature: 1. Click your name in the bottom-left corner and select `Settings` 2. Select `Career page` 3. Scroll to the `Visibility Options` section 4. Use the `toggle switch` next to `Spontaneous Application` to enable or disable it By default, this feature is enabled for all companies.

{% hint style="warning" %} Disabling the spontaneous application feature will remove the Spontaneous Application job card from your career page. Candidates will no longer be able to submit general applications that aren't associated with your online jobs. {% endhint %} You can select an `Email template` to auto-respond to candidates who submit spontaneous applications. Click the `Select` dropdown to choose a pre-created email template or create a new one in `Settings` → `Emails`. [Read more](/candidates-and-applications/candidate-messaging/automated-emails.md#spontaneous-application-confirmation-template) *** ## Managing spontaneous applications All spontaneous applications are automatically added to your `Talent Pool` in JOIN. These applications are not linked to any specific job and give you the flexibility to review and consider candidates for future opportunities. You can open the spontaneous applicant's profile by navigating to the `Talent Pool` tab in your dashboard. When a new spontaneous application is received, a notification badge appears next to the `Talent Pool` tab in the sidebar, showing the number of applications you haven’t reviewed yet. In the `Talent Pool` tab, you’ll see a floating review bar at the bottom of the screen that reads how many spontaneous applications are available, with a `Review` button. Click this button to start reviewing applications.

#### Reviewing applications in screening view Clicking `Review` opens the screening view: a dedicated pop-up for reviewing spontaneous applications one by one. In this view, you’ll see: * The candidate's `CV` and `Cover letter` (if provided) * Contact details like email and location * The `Source`, which will say `Spontaneous Application` * The reason why they want to join your company (usually explained in their cover letter) Use this information to decide if the candidate is a good fit for your company’s future opportunities. On the right side of the screen, use the navigation arrows to move between candidates to be reviewed. These arrows let you move to the previous or next application without exiting the screening view. #### Accepting or rejecting candidates At the top-right of the screening view, you’ll see two buttons: * `Accept`: This adds the candidate permanently to your `Talent Pool` * `Reject`: This permanently deletes the candidate’s data from your account As soon as you accept or reject, the next candidate in the queue will load automatically. If no other spontaneous applications remain, you’ll return to the main `Talent Pool` view. {% hint style="danger" %} Rejected candidates are not stored or retrievable later, so only reject applications you’re sure you don’t want to keep. {% endhint %} --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters: ``` GET https://help.join.com/candidates-and-applications/spontaneous-applications.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.