# Spontaneous Applications
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. Simply click the `Preview` button :eye: on your `Career Page` settings to view how it will look like to the applicants.
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. Go to the `Settings` tab
2. Click `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 from your `Email Templates` settings. [Read more](https://help.join.com/candidates-and-applications/pages/iD7E07uajOOyYUo3nkRb#id-2.-spontaneous-application-confirmation) :square-arrow-up-right:
***
## 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’ll be notified by email each time a new spontaneous application is received. You can open the candidate’s profile directly from the email or by navigating to the `Talent Pool` tab in your dashboard.
{% hint style="info" %}
Ensure notifications are enabled in your `User Settings` to stay informed about new spontaneous applications.
{% endhint %}
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 :arrow-left-long::arrow-right-long: 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 %}
You will also receive an email notification for each new spontaneous application. You can also access the candidate’s profile by clicking the link in the email. Manage your personal notifications for new spontaneous applications in your `User Settings` under the `Notifications` section. If you’re not receiving alerts about new spontaneous applications, double-check your user settings to make sure email notifications are enabled.
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