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# How to Validate Candidate Emails with ZeroBounce

# How to Validate Candidate Emails with ZeroBounce

Validate enriched email addresses before sending outreach to protect your email reputation and reduce bounces.

## Why Validate Emails

* **Protect sender reputation**: Bounced emails hurt deliverability
* **Save time**: Don't waste effort on invalid addresses
* **Improve metrics**: Higher delivery rates mean better campaign performance
* **Required for cold outreach**: Essential when emailing sourced candidates

## Setting Up ZeroBounce

1. Sign up for a [ZeroBounce account](https://zerobounce.net)
2. Purchase validation credits
3. Copy your API key from ZeroBounce dashboard
4. Go to [Settings / Integrations](https://app.100hires.com/settings/integrations)
5. Find the **ZeroBounce** section ![How to Validate Candidate Emails with ZeroBounce: Setting Up ZeroBounce](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/4/f/a/a/4faab8f2b2ab0400/how-to-validate-emails-with-ze_1fcn640.png)
6. Paste your API key
7. Click **Save**

## Creating a Validation Automation

1. Open a job's **Workflow** tab
2. Click the bolt icon on the stage after enrichment
3. Add **Validate Candidate's Emails** automation ![How to Validate Candidate Emails with ZeroBounce: Creating a Validation Automation](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/4/f/a/a/4faab8f2b2ab0400/how-to-validate-emails-with-ze_1iao7kf.png)
4. Configure what happens based on validation result:
* **Valid**: Move to outreach stage
* **Invalid**: Stay in stage or disqualify
* **Unknown**: Handle based on your preference

## Recommended Sourcing Flow

1. **Sourced** - Candidates added from LinkedIn
2. **Enriching** - Find personal emails (enrichment automation)
3. **Validating** - Validate found emails (ZeroBounce automation)
4. **Ready for Outreach** - Only validated candidates reach this stage
5. **Outreach** - Nurture campaign sends emails

## Validation Results

ZeroBounce returns these status types:

* **Valid**: Safe to send
* **Invalid**: Don't send (will bounce)
* **Catch-all**: Server accepts all emails (use with caution)
* **Unknown**: Could not be verified
* **Spamtrap**: Known spam trap (never send)
* **Abuse**: Known complaint address (never send)
* **Do not mail**: Temporary addresses (not recommended)

## Cost

ZeroBounce charges per email validation. Check their pricing page for current rates. Buy credits directly from ZeroBounce.

## Tips

* Validate before every outreach campaign
* Re-validate emails older than 3-6 months
* Don't send to invalid or unknown addresses
* Monitor your bounce rates after validation

## Related screenshots

These screenshots show the 100Hires areas used in this workflow.

![How to Master Candidate Profiles: Opening a Candidate Profile](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/4/f/a/a/4faab8f2b2ab0400/how-to-master-candidate-profil_e2c40g.png)