Over the years, I’ve worked with many different businesses, but perhaps none more so than recruitment agencies.
Recruiters, after all, are on the phones more often than most. Days are filled with back-to-back calls, whether it’s speaking to a candidate or sourcing new roles from an employer.
So having the necessary communication skills to make the most of each call is vital to their success.
After all, most calls that a recruiter makes will be “cold”, and although ideally there should be some effort beforehand to warm up a lead, they need to be able to grab the recipient’s attention and present their offer. For some, this will come naturally, but for others, having a script in place can make a big difference.
In this article, we’ll present an example cold calling script for a recruitment agency to use when they’re pitching for new work. It’ll draw from the advice I’ve already shared in our guide, “How To Create A Successful Cold Calling Script”, so I recommend checking that if you’re considering writing your own script from scratch.
Cold Calling Scripts – The What & Why
First, why bother with writing a cold calling script?
When you mention the idea of a script, people often shy away from the idea. Shouldn’t you just be able to have a free-flowing conversation with your prospect?
But that misses the point. A script is not meant as something you should deliver word-for-word. It’s meant as a rough guide to follow. You should absolutely add personal flourishes, have fun with it, and adapt it to fit your style.
But ultimately, a script gives you a framework for the call. You have a plan for each stage of the call, you have the flow planned out, and you’ll feel more confident for it. You’re also less likely to hesitate or use fillers words (“er… um… you know… ah…”).
But what should a script include?
We cover this in our guide, linked in the introduction, but here’s a quick recap:
- Introduction: Quickly presenting yourself and the company
- Purpose: Clearly stating the reason for your call
- Benefit Statement: Outlining the value proposition
- Questioning: Engaging the client in a conversation
- Handling Objections: Preparing responses to common objections
Okay, let’s pull all of those elements together and take a look at an example cold calling script for a recruiter.
Cold Calling Script For A Recruitment Agency
Objective
To introduce your recruitment services, establish credibility, and position yourself as a valuable resource while securing a follow-up conversation.
Structure
- Engaging Introduction (No Closed Questions Early On)
- Positioning the Value Proposition
- High-Gain Statement to Spark Interest
- Qualifying & Identifying Needs
- Handling Objections & Reframing the Conversation
- Call to Action (Next Steps)
Example Script
Opening:
“Hi [Prospect’s Name], this is [Your Name] from [Recruitment Agency Name]. We specialise in helping [industry/sector] companies attract and secure the best [role type] talent, even in today’s highly competitive market.”
Brief pause – allow them to register who you are.
“The reason I’m calling is that many [industry] companies we speak with are struggling with [key pain points, e.g., ‘finding candidates who stay long-term’ or ‘hiring quickly without compromising quality’]. We’ve recently helped [mention client or relevant success] reduce hiring time by [specific % or timeframe] while securing stronger-fit candidates.”
High-Gain Statement to Capture Interest:
“What we’re seeing right now is that companies who adapt their hiring approach to include proactive candidate sourcing, rather than relying on inbound applicants, are securing the top 10% of talent before their competitors even see them.”
Another brief pause to let this sink in.
Qualifying & Identifying Needs:
“I imagine hiring top talent is a priority for you too. What’s your biggest challenge right now when it comes to recruiting strong candidates?”
Listen to their response. This keeps them engaged and allows you to position your solution accordingly.
Handling Objections & Reframing:
- “We handle recruitment in-house.”
“That makes sense. Many of our clients have internal teams, but they partner with us to give them access to a wider talent pool and faster placements. In fact, we recently helped [company] cut their hiring time by 40%. Would it be useful to explore how we can support your efforts?” - “We already work with an agency.”
“I hear this a lot. Out of curiosity, what’s one thing you’d love to improve in your current hiring process?”
If they share a pain point, align your solution to it.
Call to Action (Next Steps):
“It sounds like we could add value to your hiring strategy. Let’s set up a quick call next week, I can share some insights on hiring trends and strategies that are working well in your sector. How does (suggest date/time) work for you?”
If they resist, offer a follow-up email with valuable insights instead.
Need Support Writing Your Own Script?
The script above provides a solid starting point for recruiters. But remember, the real magic happens when you add your own personal touch. Feel comfortable tweaking it to suit your style, personality, and – most importantly – the USPs of your recruitment agency (think, what’s your edge over other agencies?).
If you’d like to learn more about creating a winning script, then it’s something that’s covered in our cold call training courses – along with delivery, objection handling, getting past gatekeepers, and more.
So if you want to take your recruitment calls to the next level, get in touch today and see how our courses can help you and your team thrive.
