Recruiting Scripts for Multiple Scenarios

We compiled the best of recruiting scripts from industry trainers so you’ll be ready for that next cold call.

“John, remember when you gave me the information on this search assignment you said that the title of the position was ‘X’. Is that still the same? Yes, well that’s good. And that the duties and responsibilities were ‘Y’. Has that changed at all? No. Good. And that the salary range was ‘Z’. Is that still the same? Good. And that you agreed to pay my 30% fee. Are we still OK there? Good.”

FAB Approach from Bob Marshall

Step 1:

“Then I have some good news for you. I have canvassed the area. I have talked to many potential recruits. And finally I have refined the list down to three who are qualified and are good matches for you and your company.”

FAB Approach from Bob Marshall

Step 2: Set the Stage

“So, John, this is what I have done. I have arranged for these three recruits to be available to speak with you next Monday and Tuesday (as we had pre-arranged) at 9, 11 and 2. Now let me tell you a little more about them.”

FAB Approach from Bob Marshall

Step 3: Set the Hook

“Mr. Prospect, how many recruiters currently do you have working on your search(es)? … Three recruiting firms…Interesting… Can I share with you what happens in the mind of recruiters when they find out that they’re not working exclusive on a particular search? Recruiters are typically commission-based and tend to spend their time on the searches that will yield results the fastest. Once a recruiter finds out that they are not the only firm working on a search, it becomes a race. All firms involved rush through a search to find as many candidates that are close fits as possible and send them over as quickly as possible.

“Gaining Exclusivity” from Jon Bartos

Option 1:

“These candidates are from internal databases as well as job board candidates. You will get an initial run of resumes, but then you will receive none. That’s because all the recruiters are not doing an “active” search on your positions to actually go after the “A” players who are gainfully employed and working for a competitor. They don’t have the time. It’s a race, remember. Unfortunately no quality control and close matching and selling happens due to time constraints. You, the client, end up being the quality control person and not the recruiting firms. That’s a lot of work. The end result is that you get to choose best player out of the poor to average talent you were given, choosing the best of the worst, so to speak.”

“Gaining Exclusivity” from Jon Bartos

Option 2:

“My strong suggestion is to let our firm take this search exclusively. This will allow us to directly call in to the marketplace and go after the gainfully employed “A” players, who are over- achieving with your competitors. This will also put the quality control back into the search so you are not doing all the work and we can deliver 3-5 of the best players in the market place within about three weeks. The big advantage to you is that you get a chance to select the best individual out of the best players in your industry, instead of choosing the best of the potentially the worst. Make sense?”

“Gaining Exclusivity” from Jon Bartos

Option 3:

“I have never talked to you before and I only have a limited amount of information about your company. However, my area of specialization is [specialization here], and I am aware of no other way of determining if I can be of service than by picking up the phone and calling you. After a brief discussion, we should be able to determine whether or not you can benefit from the services we provide.  Would that be all right?”

Company Scripts from Terry Petra:

“In the process of conducting my search, your name has surfaced as a [functional title] who may have some of the qualifications my client is seeking. Are you open to discussing the possibility of comparing your present position with an opportunity outside your organization?”

Candidate Scripts from Terry Petra:

Still Looking for more recruiting scripts? Request our Contract Staffing Scripts!

Get Contract Staffing Scripts