Hiring teams do not struggle with a lack of applicants. They struggle with time, signal quality, and consistency.
That is exactly the gap AutoApply is designed to solve.
Today, we are introducing AutoApply, a new enhancement to the AI Matching system on the VanHack platform. AutoApply automatically adds the most relevant, ready-to-interview candidates to your pipeline the moment a job is posted, without sacrificing quality or candidate control.
What Is AutoApply?
AutoApply is an automated, AI-driven action that moves the top-matched candidates directly into your Candidates column once matching is complete.
There is no manual shortlisting, no waiting for applications to trickle in, and no guesswork. The system does the first pass for you, using the same quality signals that drive successful hires on VanHack.
How AutoApply Works
Once a job is created:
- AI Matching runs against VanHack’s vetted talent pool.
- Candidates with a matching score of 80 percent or higher are evaluated.
- Up to 10 top candidates are automatically moved into the Candidates column.
- Each auto-applied candidate is clearly marked with a Vanna tag, so your team knows they were added via Vanna AI, VanHack AI Recruiter”.
If fewer than 10 strong matches are available initially, AutoApply continues running and adds new candidates as they become eligible.
Built for Quality, Not Volume
AutoApply is intentionally capped and selective.
- Maximum of 10 candidates per job
- Minimum AI Matching score of 80 percent
- No forced matches for niche roles where strong candidates do not exist
If the system cannot find candidates who meet the quality threshold, it will not add anyone. This protects your hiring process from noise and keeps the signal high.
What Goes Into the Matching Decision
AutoApply uses multiple layers of evaluation, not keyword matching alone.
Primary selection criteria include:
- Job matching score based on prompt-driven role analysis
- Required skills, seniority, and English proficiency
- Recent candidate activity on the platform, such as logins, profile updates, and applications
- Technical readiness signals, including coding test performance when available
Coding tests act as a priority boost, not a hard gate. For example, a candidate with slightly lower matching but strong technical validation may be prioritized over a higher-match profile with no technical signal.
Candidates with any red or yellow profile flags are excluded automatically.
Smart Candidate Protection
AutoApply is designed to respect active hiring processes.
- Candidates remain eligible while in the first interview stage
- AutoApply stops once a candidate reaches the second interview stage
- Candidates always retain full autonomy and can withdraw at any time
This ensures your pipeline stays fresh without pulling candidates away from ongoing interviews.
Transparency for Candidates, Confidence for Employers
Every auto-applied candidate is informed through:
- An email explaining why they were selected and how to opt out
- A chat message from the VanHack team to gather early feedback
This transparency increases engagement while preserving candidate trust, which directly improves response rates for employers.
Works Out of the Box, Fully Controllable
AutoApply is implemented as a Smart Action.
- It is enabled by default on all jobs
- It runs automatically after matching completes
- It can be turned off at any time by removing the Smart Action from the Candidates column
No setup. No configuration. No additional steps for your team.
Why This Matters for Hiring Teams
AutoApply shifts hiring from reactive to proactive.
Instead of waiting for applications, your team starts with a curated shortlist of candidates who already meet your core requirements and show readiness to move forward.
The result:
- Faster time to first interview
- Less manual screening
- Higher confidence in every candidate added to your pipeline
AutoApply is not about applying candidates everywhere. It is about delivering fewer, better candidates exactly where they matter.
If you have questions or want to see AutoApply in action, reach out to our team.
