FastHire FAQ: Answers to Common Questions

Quick answers to the questions FastHire users ask most — sourcing, outreach, messaging behavior, billing, and account setup. For anything not covered here, use the Need help button in the app to email support directly.

Searches & sourcing

How do I create a new search?

Go to Searches → New search, then describe who you're looking for in plain language or paste a job description. The AI assistant drafts structured criteria you can refine directly or by chatting with it before saving.

Can I edit a search after I've already sourced candidates?

Yes — open the search's results page and select "Edit criteria" to adjust filters with the same chat assistant. This updates the saved search but doesn't retroactively rescore existing results; run "Find more candidates with an agent" afterward to source against the new criteria.

What does "Select candidates with an agent" do?

It's a lightweight triage agent on the results page — describe what you're prioritizing (or leave it blank) and it reviews every candidate matching your current filters and pre-selects the strongest subset for you to add to a list.

Lists & outreach

What's the difference between a search and a list?

A search holds your sourcing criteria and scored results. A list is a shortlist of candidates you've chosen to move forward with — lists are what you attach to an outreach sequence.

How do outreach sequences work?

Build a sequence from a list, choose which steps to include (connection request, messages, follow-ups) per channel, and activate it. Candidates progress through the steps automatically, and the sequence stops as soon as a candidate replies.

Why did a sequence pause itself?

Sequences auto-pause if the channel they need isn't available — for example, no active LinkedIn connection, or your trial credits ran out. Check Settings → Connections and Settings → Billing, then resume the sequence manually — it doesn't resume on its own once the underlying issue is fixed.

Team & account

What's the difference between Org Admin and Recruiter?

Both roles have full access to sourcing, outreach, and candidate work. Only Org Admins can manage Settings → Team, Company info, Billing (plan, card, credits, cancellation), Interview reminders, and API keys under Settings → Developer. See "How to Manage Roles and Permissions" for the complete breakdown.

Do I need to connect anything before I can source or message candidates?

Yes — a connected LinkedIn account is required for LinkedIn-based sourcing and outreach, and a connected email account (Gmail, Microsoft, or IMAP) for real email sends. Without these, related features are blocked or simulated rather than failing outright.

Billing & plans

How are credits used?

Sourcing a candidate costs 1 credit, charged the first time your org sources them. Contacting them (any channel) costs 2 credits, charged on the first real outbound message — follow-ups, replies, and CSV/Excel imports are free. It's one shared pool, not separate sourcing and contact allowances. See "Understanding Credits and How to Buy More" for the full picture, including what happens when you run out and how to buy more.

Where do I see usage for my plan?

Settings → Billing shows your current plan, credits used and remaining, and trial usage if you're still on a trial.

What happens when my free trial period ends?

Once your 14-day trial-ends date passes, your account is locked to Settings → Billing until you subscribe — every other section (Searches, Lists, Outreach, Interviews, Inbox, AI Agent) is unavailable until then. See "Understanding Your Free Trial and What Happens After" for the full details.

Can I upgrade or downgrade my plan myself?

Yes — go to Settings → Billing, select a plan, and add a card if you haven't already. No need to contact support.

Getting more help

Select Need help in the left sidebar, just above your profile card, to browse support articles or email support@thefasthire.com directly.