Before I became a career coach, I spent more than a decade working in recruitment, speaking with multiple early career to executive-level professionals every day.
One thing I learned very early into the role was that recruiters are incredibly busy people. They’re often managing multiple vacancies at once and, in today’s market, may be managing well over 100+ applications for a single position.
So, if a recruiter takes the time to speak with you, return your call, or contacts you to discuss an opportunity, it’s important to make the most of those few minutes.
Here are six tips to create a great first impression on that initial call:
- Prepare your 30-second elevator pitch
Don’t wing it.
Be ready to introduce yourself, explain why you’re calling, and summarise your background in around 30 seconds. Finish by highlighting two or three reasons you’re a strong match for the opportunity. Avoid providing a detailed description of your work history.
Practise saying your pitch aloud so you sound confident and professional.
A little preparation beforehand will make a big difference to the impression you make in that first 30-seconds.
- Respect the recruiter’s time
This was one of my biggest frustrations as a recruiter, and it’s something I still notice in my current role when speaking with potential clients.
If I’ve offered someone a 10-15 minute call and they talk for 40 minutes without stopping, it’s a big red flag. It suggests they’re not reading the situation, lack self-awareness and lack respect for the other person’s time.
If the recruiter is interested I you as a potential candidate, they will stay on the call and ask you for further information.
- Focus on what’s most relevant
The first conversation isn’t designed to cover your entire career history.
Instead, concentrate on the relevant experience, qualifications and achievements that are directly relevant to the position. Help them quickly understand why you’re a strong fit, rather than walking them through every role you’ve held. Again, they can ask if they want further information.
- Let them lead the conversation
Many senior professionals are used to leading meetings, but this isn’t one of them.
Allow the recruiter to guide the discussion and answer the questions they’ve prepared. Listening carefully and responding directly demonstrates professionalism and confidence.
- Be ready with specific examples
If there’s genuine interest, you’ll often be asked a few probing questions during the initial screening call.
Think about specific examples in advance that demonstrate the key capabilities required in the job advertisement, so you can respond confidently without having to think on the spot.
- Ask thoughtful questions
Good questions show genuine interest and help you build rapport with the recruiter
Rather than asking something you could easily find on the company website, ask about the background of the team, key priorities, expected challenges or what success looks like in the first 6-12 months.
Even if this particular opportunity isn’t the right fit, a positive conversation can leave a lasting impression and open doors to future roles.
