Once set up, you can conduct recruiting via chat using your own Telegram bot—featuring your bot name, logo, and company description.
Features*
Custom brand identity: Your logo is displayed in the chat.
Personalized communication: You use your own company profile and mobile number.
Chat within applicant management: Once the application has been submitted, you can chat with the candidate directly within the applicant management system.
Full control: You manage your Telegram account yourself.
The Telegram app must be installed on the device where the SIM/eSIM is active, as verification takes place via SMS.
Prerequisites
Before you begin the setup, ensure that:
Chat Recruiting has been purchased and your license includes the features mentioned above.
You have a Telegram account—ideally a separate business profile (e.g., for the HR department).
You have access to an active mobile number—ideally a new, previously unused number.
This can be the same number used for WhatsApp.
Step 1: Create a Telegram account
To use "Chat Recruiting" with Telegram, you need a Telegram account to create and manage the chatbot.
Install Telegram and set up the account
Download the Telegram app:
iOS: App Store
Android: Google Play
2. Open the app and enter your mobile number.
3. You will receive a verification code via SMS.
4. Enter the code—your Telegram account will then be active and ready to use.
Dedicated corporate account
We recommend setting up the bot using a company Telegram account created specifically for this purpose - e.g. B. from the HR department with a central mobile number.
This ensures that the bot can be managed centrally in the long term and is not tied to a personal employee account.
Alternatively, you can also use an existing personal Telegram account.
The bot can then only be administered via this Telegram account. A later change is only possible by creating a new bot.
Number and Verification
You need a mobile number to register.
The following conditions apply:
The number can be the same one used for WhatsApp.
The Telegram app must be installed on the device containing the SIM or eSIM card.
If using a new number, verification is carried out via SMS.
The mobile device must be capable of receiving SMS messages.
How do you create a Telegram bot for "chat-based recruiting"?
After setting up your Telegram account, create the bot using the official @BotFather service.
Recommendation: Use the web version.
The web interface is often the most convenient option for setup:
Search for BotFather in your chats or use the direct link:
Step 2: Create a Telegram bot
Open the chat with @BotFather.
Send /start (or click "Start").
Send /newbot.
Assign a display name (visible to applicants), e.g., "Sample Company Chat Recruiting".
Assign a username that ends in "bot", e.g.,
sample_company_recruiting_bot.You will receive an API token after creation.
Make a note of the username and API token—you will need both to connect to softgarden.
Username rules
The bot username must meet the following requirements:
Be unique
Contain only Latin letters, numbers, and underscores
Start with a letter and end with "bot"
Contain no spaces or special characters
Be between 5 and 32 characters long
Step 3: Submit the token and username to softgarden
To enable softgarden to connect your Telegram bot with "Recruiting via Chat," two pieces of information are required:
API token
Bot username (e.g., musterfirma_recruiting_bot)
For data protection reasons, this data must not be sent to us via email.
Step 4: Configure the Telegram bot
After creating it, you can customize your bot's visible information via @BotFather.
Open the chat with BotFather.
Enter the command `/mybots`.
Select your newly created bot.
Click on "Edit Bot".
You will then see all available configuration options.
What options can you configure in the Telegram bot?
The following settings are available via @BotFather → Edit Bot:
Edit Name
Public bot name displayed in the chat header and profile.
Example: Sample Company Chat Recruiting
Recommended length: up to 64 characters
Edit About
Short informational text displayed below the bot name in the chat list.
Example: "Apply directly via chat."
Maximum 120 characters
Edit Description
More detailed description in the bot profile.
Example: "This bot assists you with your application to Sample Company."
Maximum 512 characters
Edit Description Picture
Optional image for the description (depends on the Telegram version).
Recommended size: 640 × 360 px
Format: PNG or JPEG
Edit Botpic
Bot profile picture shown in the chat list.
Recommendation: Company logo
Recommended size: 512 × 512 px
Format: PNG or JPEG
Center the content, as the image is displayed as a circle.
Edit Commands
Not required for chat recruiting.
The conversation is automatically managed by softgarden.
Edit Privacy Policy
Enter the link to your privacy policy here.
Example:
Recommended, especially when used in the application process.
« Back to Bot
Return to the overview in the BotFather menu.
Done
Once softgarden has completed the setup, your Telegram chatbot will automatically appear as an application option in all job postings where "Chat Recruiting" is enabled—including your bot name and branding.