Script library: by industry
For recruitment agencies doing business development with hiring managers, HR leaders and talent teams. Every line is ready to use: replace each {{placeholder}}, read it aloud a few times, then make it sound like you.
Quick answer
Hiring managers receive calls from recruiters every day, and most open with 'I've got a great candidate' or a list of sectors the agency covers. The calls that get through are about a real role the manager is trying to fill and a real difficulty in filling it.
The research is simple and fast: open job ads, how long they've been live, whether the role has been re-advertised and whether the company has posted the same role in several places. That tells you there is pain before you dial.
Six parts, in the order buyers expect them. The note under each part explains why it is written that way.
Hi {{first_name}}, it's {{your_name}} from {{your_company}}. We recruit {{specialism}} roles in {{location}}.
I'm calling about the {{open_role}} role you've got advertised. Is now a bad time for two minutes?
Why it works: Name the role in the opener. It's the only reason they'll keep listening.
I noticed it's been up for {{weeks_live}} weeks, which usually means the right people aren't applying.
I'm not assuming you need an agency. I wanted to ask how it's going.
Why it works: An observation they can't argue with, followed by a question rather than a pitch.
How's the search going so far?
What's been missing from the people you've seen?
What happens to the team if it isn't filled in the next month?
Are you working with any agencies on it already, or is it all direct?
Why it works: The third question gives you the cost of the vacancy. The fourth tells you who you're competing with and whether they use agencies at all.
That's the gap we usually see in {{specialism}}. We've placed {{placement_count}} similar roles in the last {{period}}, and we have people who aren't on job boards.
If it helps, I can send two anonymised profiles today so you can see the calibre.
Why it works: Offer something concrete and fast. Two profiles on the same day demonstrates the market access you're claiming. Only state placement numbers you can back up.
Would it be worth 15 minutes to take a proper brief, so I'm not sending you the wrong people? I can do {{day_time_1}} or {{day_time_2}}.
Why it works: A brief is a meeting with a purpose the manager benefits from. Asking for it is better than asking to send CVs blind.
Great. I'll send an invite for {{agreed_time}}. Could you forward the position description beforehand?
And who else needs to approve terms with an agency, is that you or HR?
Why it works: Find out early whether HR or procurement controls agency terms. It saves a deal falling over after the brief.
Swap one of these in for the opener above when the situation fits.
Hi {{first_name}}, {{your_name}} from {{your_company}}. I've noticed {{prospect_company}} has advertised {{role_count}} {{specialism}} roles in the last few months. When teams grow that quickly, the hard part is usually keeping quality up. How are you finding it?
When to use it: Use when a company is hiring several roles in your specialism.
Hi {{first_name}}, it's {{your_name}} at {{your_company}}. I specialise in {{specialism}} in {{location}}, and I'm calling a few hiring managers because {{market_change}}. Is that something you're seeing too?
When to use it: Use when you have a genuine, current observation about salaries or candidate supply in your niche.
For when reception or an assistant answers. Be honest about who you are and ask for help.
More gatekeeper scriptsHi, it's {{your_name}} from {{your_company}}. I'm calling about the {{open_role}} role. Could you put me through to the hiring manager, or let me know who's running the search?
Acknowledge, ask one question, then offer a smaller step or let them go.
All objection responsesUnderstood, a lot of companies prefer to hire direct. Can I ask, if this role is still open in a month, what would you do then?
Why: Many 'no agencies' policies soften when a role drags on. The question lets them think about it without you arguing.
That makes sense. How is it going on this particular role? If they're covering it well, I won't get in the way. If not, I'd be happy to help just on this one.
Why: Panels are common. Asking about one hard role is a way in without challenging the list.
Fees are always a fair question. What's it costing you each week this seat is empty? If we fill it faster, the fee usually looks different. Can we talk terms once you've seen two profiles?
Why: Moves the conversation from fee to cost of vacancy and delays negotiation until you've shown value.
I can, but sending CVs before I understand the role is how agencies waste your time. Fifteen minutes on the brief means anything I send is worth reading.
Why: Protects your credibility and turns a low-value request into a proper brief.
Great news. Are there other roles in the team you expect to open this year? I'd rather be useful early than call you when it's urgent.
Why: A filled role is still a relationship. Ask about the next one.
Under 30 seconds. Skip voicemail on the first attempt and pair it with an email the same day.
12 more voicemail scriptsHi {{first_name}}, it's {{your_name}} from {{your_company}}. I'm calling about your {{open_role}} role. We recruit {{specialism}} in {{location}} and I may have people who aren't on job boards. I'll send a short email and try again on {{day_time_1}}. My number is {{phone}}.
Send it the same day as the call or voicemail. It identifies you and includes a working unsubscribe.
Subject: Your {{open_role}} role
Nousu has not published a recruitment benchmark row. Use the all-dials averages as a reference point.
Australian cold calling statistics| Measure | Published figure or what to track |
|---|---|
| Dials that reach a live person | 14% |
| Dials that become a conversation with a decision maker | 6% |
| Decision-maker conversations that book a meeting | 22% |
| Meetings per 100 dials | 1.3 meetings per 100 dials, against 0.3 for offshore teams |
These are Nousu's all-dials averages from 218,000+ dials into Australian businesses, November 2024 to April 2026. Nousu has not published a separate figure for this segment, so treat them as a reference point, not a target.
To see how many dials your own meeting target needs, use the meetings per dial calculator.
General information only, not legal advice.
Australian cold calling lawsThis script is a starting point. The free cold call script generator builds a version around your offer, buyer and market, with your own objection responses, voicemails and follow-up emails. It runs in your browser and nothing you type is stored or sent.
FAQ
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