As of May 2023, Google Calendar updated its policies to help combat spam. This policy impacts all scheduling services, including Dover. As a result of this change, calendar invitations sent by "unknown users" will not be automatically added to invitees calendars.
Previously, when a candidate booked a time using a Dover scheduling link, a Google Calendar invitation was sent to the candidate, and the event was automatically added to the candidate's calendar. With this change in Google’s policy, when Dover sends a candidate's first interview invitation, the event will not be added to their calendar automatically. Instead, the candidate will receive an email with a confirmation link, and they must click to add the event. This is for all Google calendar users, unless they have explicitly changed their default Google settings.
❓What is Dover doing to address this?
If you’re using a Dover scheduling link, candidates will receive interview reminders sent from [email protected] prior to their scheduled interviews. If a candidate did not accept the initial calendar invite, they will be reminded of the date and time of their interview. If they are unavailable, candidates can reschedule directly from a link in that email.
❓What can I do to address this?
📆 Ask candidates to expect and accept a Google calendar invite
When communicating with candidates, please tell them to accept the Google invitation for an interview even though it’s coming from an unknown sender.
⚙️ Show candidates how to update their Google settings
You can share the following step-by-step instructions with candidates on how to update their settings.
Update your Settings for Gmail calendar invitations.
On your computer, open Google Calendar.
At the top right, click ⚙️Settings.
On the left, under “General,” click Event settings ➡️ Add invitations to my calendar.
Select From everyone so all invitations are automatically added to your calendar.
Add Email sender as a contact
On your computer, go to Google Contacts.
At the top left, click Create contact.
Click Create contact or Create multiple contacts.
Enter the contact's information.
Click Save.
💡 For Google’s comprehensive instructions, visit this article in their help center.