Get Your Hiring AssistantGet Started

Hiring guides

Hiring on Craigslist? Let us screen the replies.

Craigslist still works for local jobs. Here's how to write an ad that brings better replies, and how a hiring assistant can handle the inbox for you.

Get Your Hiring Assistant

Your hiring assistant: $99 per open position. No monthly fee.

You post a house cleaner job on Craigslist. The replies come straight to your email. Some have a CV attached. Some say "interested, call me." A few are clearly spam. They land between your supplier invoices and customer emails, and by Thursday you can't remember who you already answered.

Craigslist still works for local jobs. The trouble starts in your inbox.

Write an ad that brings better replies

A vague ad brings vague replies. Tell people exactly what you need and exactly how to apply.

House cleaner, part time, [your area]
3 days a week, 9am to 2pm. $[pay] per hour.
You need: 1 year of cleaning experience, your own transport, and weekday mornings free.
To apply, use this link (takes 2 minutes, no CV needed): [your hiring link]
Or email your CV to: [your apply-by-email address]

This does three things. It puts off people who can't do the hours. It tells people what to send. And it gives one clear way to apply, instead of "reply to this ad."

Keep replies out of your personal inbox

Even if you screen everything yourself, don't use your main email. Make a separate address just for the job. Reply to everyone from there, and close it when the job is filled. It keeps hiring from taking over your day.

Watch for scams

Job ads attract fake replies. Don't click strange links. Don't reply to anyone asking you to pay for something or to "verify" your account. A real applicant just wants the job.

Let someone else handle the inbox

The best fix for a messy hiring inbox is to not be the one who reads it. Imagine an assistant who opens every reply, reads the CVs, writes back to each person, and sends you a short note when someone is worth calling.

That's what a hiring assistant from BKKStaff does. You put your hiring link and apply-by-email address in your Craigslist ad, like the example above. Every reply goes there instead of your personal inbox. Your assistant reads each one, opens the attachments, asks follow-up questions, sends polite declines, and builds your interview shortlist. You get a clean record of who applied, who was declined, and who is ready to interview.

There's no direct connection to Craigslist, and there doesn't need to be. You write and post the ad. Your assistant handles the replies. It costs $99 USD for one open position for 30 days. See pricing.

Common questions

Do you write or post the Craigslist ad?

No. You write and post the ad, and pay Craigslist if it charges for your category. Your assistant handles everything after people reply.

Can people still email a CV?

Yes. Your apply-by-email address accepts CVs and cover letters, and your assistant reads those too.

My applicants don't have CVs. Is that OK?

Yes. Your hiring link can use a short phone quiz instead. See hiring people who don't have CVs.

Posting on more sites than Craigslist? Read about screening applicants from all your job posts in one place, or the guides for Indeed and Facebook.

Get your hiring assistant

Tell us about the job. We set up your hiring assistant, and it starts screening applicants for you. You can also see how the hiring assistant works or check pricing first.

Start Screening Applicants

More hiring guides

See all hiring guides