---
title: "Automated outreach"
description: "Understand when Finlay contacts shortlisted candidates, how it handles replies and acceptance reminders, and when a conversation needs you."
plans: ["source"]
roles: ["hiring-manager"]
url: https://help.finlay.ai/outreach/automated-outreach/
lastReviewed: 2026-10-05
---

# Automated outreach

Understand when Finlay contacts shortlisted candidates, how it handles replies and acceptance reminders, and when a conversation needs you.

## What automated outreach does

Finlay can contact shortlisted candidates from the connected LinkedIn account,
then handle replies and reminders. It handles first contact so you can focus
on candidates that reach a later hiring step.

## Set it up

Choose **Autopilot** or set **Outreach** to **Finlay reaches out** in a
job's automation settings. The LinkedIn account that sends outreach must be
connected in [Integrations](https://help.finlay.ai/integrations/linkedin/).

Choose the pre-screen that follows a candidate's interest: an AI pre-screen,
a human pre-screen using the job owner's booking link, or no pre-screen. See
[Choose your automation level](https://help.finlay.ai/jobs/automation-levels/).

## How messages are sent

Finlay reaches out to the highest-ranked shortlisted candidates, up to 10 in
each rolling 24-hour period for a job. It paces messages around LinkedIn's
delivery limits.

When a candidate replies, Finlay can answer questions grounded in the job and
conversation. It pauses a thread when the reply needs a human answer, when the
candidate declines, or when the conversation has ended. Clear interest leads
to the configured next step: an AI pre-screen link or, for a human
pre-screen, the owner's booking link. Skipping pre-screening sends no
screening link.

## Acceptance reminders

If a candidate accepts a connection invitation without replying, Finlay waits
at least one hour before the first follow-up. It can send a second follow-up
72 hours after the first when there is still no reply. It does not continue
these reminders after the candidate replies.

For reminders after an AI pre-screen link is sent, see
[AI pre-screening](https://help.finlay.ai/prescreening/ai-prescreening/). For delivery failures and
LinkedIn limits, see
[LinkedIn delivery and limits](https://help.finlay.ai/outreach/linkedin-delivery-and-limits/).